I understand the frustration with their cowardice, lack of integrity and convictions, but other than the carthasis, is there any point to asking for this? Does anybody expect it to change minds? It just seems like the "old guard" or traditional Republicans are already there and there's few, if any, prospective converts that this would resonate with.
However, having cohorts of former Republican officials line up against Trump would give him more ammunition to allege that everyone is out to get him, that the "establishment" and "deep state" oppose him, that the election was/will be rigged by these haters and other mysterious forces, and that only *he* can change things. In short, it fuels his narrative and drives up the appeal of his quixotic candidacy. Fear and paranoia make powerful narcotics, even to otherwise intelligent and rational people. I don't think we should give him that.
TLDR; If by Republicans speaking out collectively they are constructing a victimhood argument for Trump, then they are also inadvertently lending credibility to his campaign, and that's much worse than if Republicans simply stayed silent.
I think that's like obsessing over the side dish while ignoring the main course. The point is to keep a madman out of the White House. We don't achieve that by giving people more reasons to vote him back in.
I’m very late to the party but I just want to say my piece: these esteemed former Republican officials love their perks much more than they love their country. I am a former federal Union officer. It never ceased to amaze me when people sold their self esteem, their inner ka, if you will, for some trinket that never should have been worth their own self worth and self esteem. What amazed me, every single time, wasn’t that they sold - it’s how cheaply they sold. And I believe this phenomenon applies across the board. ‘Jaysus! It sure looks shitty out there, but this cushioned seat I got makes my arse feel pretty damn good while it all falls apart around me!’
It even mentions Tim's podcast with Adam Kinzinger at the end, on what's keeping the ex-Trump officials & other Republican poobahs on the sidelines.
Me: "Imagine the pre-election power of a news conference in which a phalanx of senior Trump advisors stood shoulder to shoulder to deliver that message, each providing first-hand examples of his derelictions of duty. What could better tip the few undecided voters against Trump than former military leaders, on national TV, giving witness to his disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law and America’s national interests? President George W. Bush, 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, among others, should join, too. We know what they think about Trump. It’s time to endorse Kamala Harris....
"Kinzinger held out hope for 11th hour surprises. So should we all."
It will probably take another one hundred years before the majority of white men and some white women become honest enough with themselves and with integrity to stop the currently more permanent denial syndrome of their inherent racial bias to level critical decisions, whether on political or cultural issues for other developed democratic nations to recognize an American society worthy of praise for accepting and respecting each other as true equals.
Coming from a more genuine advanced, developed pluralistic society with citizen mutual respect and fairness, it is difficult to digest the collapse of comity and feelings of personal safety in USA, just over the past four days as result of the sickening lies told by Donald Trump and J.D Vance against blacks from Haiti of eating pets of residents in Springfield Ohio.
Even more disturbing and sinister is absence of 'public' denouncement by all State- Governor on down, local officials and a significant proportion of Ohio populace in forcefully railing against these hateful threats on 'legal' immigrants, as well as cowardice of major News media to outright condemn Trump and his sick minded MAGA cult of being ant-American and virulently racist, undeserving of leading this nation.
Such abject failure of civic responsibility is notable only in singular nation that arrogantly claims to represent "Freedom and Justice for All" (sic). I find the mediocrity of what I am witnessing hard to believe is true.
I am flummoxed by these people. Only a handful have a future in politics. Many if not most of them are retired. They are intelligent and competent. They know how to look at history. Many have risked their very lives to protect us. I'm sure most think staying out of politics is the right thing to do, as it was when they were in non political positions. It is beyond comprehension that any might actually support Trump.
Maybe they are waiting for the right time. The right time has come, early voting has started.
They know the truth. They won't speak the truth. Shame on them
Never cared for Liz Cheney until DJT came down the golden staircase and began spreading nastiness and vulgarity around America. Liz has backbone and is a Republican who has stood up to the deluded empty-suit, Trump. Contrast that to Trump's first Sec. of State, Rex Tillerson, who called him a moron and then went back to his CEO job at Exon.
On the money. Speaking of which Goldman Sachs went public today with their statement that the economy under KH would get a bigger boost than with Trump’s, really no surprise.
And on your list two standouts who have already shamed themselves as far as the rights of women are concerned, Collins and Murkowski. The entire roster have allowed themselves to be bullied by someone they have no respect for. Reprehensible.
I expect nothing good from Susan Collins. But I am truly disappointed by Lisa Murkowski. I believe she is an honorable person.
I do think she would end her political career in Alaska by endorsing Harris. So it's not a trivial move. And she could put her family and herself at risk of physical harm.
But I thought she had the integrity and patriotism to protect our country, even at great personal cost. Perhaps she will still step up. I'd love to see it.
What a total Asshole Gen. McMaster is. To take sides now would only point how wrong he was all along to support Trump. What more does this man have to say. His time and importance have passed. - Move On.
So my sister and I are doing a visibility this am for a local dem, who is running against a MAGA republican. They might be out there too holding their signs. I told her do not let them push you around. Hold your own space on the street corner! Eff them, right? They are just pushy and in your face, and I’m not putting up with it. Love the podcast! I listen every day there’s a new one that drops!
I’m going with 3D chess. Shortly after Labor Day, these folks will start dropping Harris endorsements. A couple a day, every day for weeks. Sucks up oxygen in the news cycle. Makes Trump mad. Keeps him off message. I think that would be way more effective than a whole bunch at once that is forgotten after a news cycle or two. Think water boarding . . . Drip, drip, drip
From your words to God's ear. I have been hoping that the failure of these former Trump officials would come out against him. I hope that they may have been waiting till closer to the election. I hope they start that before the first early voting ballots are in.
Can you say, cowardice, self-serving, cowardice, lack of integrity, cowardice, unpatriotic, and cowardice?
The answer to your question, why these guys won’t speak up.
Trump owns them!!!
Just like Putin and Russian oligarchs own Trump.
I understand the frustration with their cowardice, lack of integrity and convictions, but other than the carthasis, is there any point to asking for this? Does anybody expect it to change minds? It just seems like the "old guard" or traditional Republicans are already there and there's few, if any, prospective converts that this would resonate with.
However, having cohorts of former Republican officials line up against Trump would give him more ammunition to allege that everyone is out to get him, that the "establishment" and "deep state" oppose him, that the election was/will be rigged by these haters and other mysterious forces, and that only *he* can change things. In short, it fuels his narrative and drives up the appeal of his quixotic candidacy. Fear and paranoia make powerful narcotics, even to otherwise intelligent and rational people. I don't think we should give him that.
TLDR; If by Republicans speaking out collectively they are constructing a victimhood argument for Trump, then they are also inadvertently lending credibility to his campaign, and that's much worse than if Republicans simply stayed silent.
Frankly, I call BS! Stop making excuses for traitorous cowards.
I think that's like obsessing over the side dish while ignoring the main course. The point is to keep a madman out of the White House. We don't achieve that by giving people more reasons to vote him back in.
John Bolton! Hypocrite, coward, author.
I’m very late to the party but I just want to say my piece: these esteemed former Republican officials love their perks much more than they love their country. I am a former federal Union officer. It never ceased to amaze me when people sold their self esteem, their inner ka, if you will, for some trinket that never should have been worth their own self worth and self esteem. What amazed me, every single time, wasn’t that they sold - it’s how cheaply they sold. And I believe this phenomenon applies across the board. ‘Jaysus! It sure looks shitty out there, but this cushioned seat I got makes my arse feel pretty damn good while it all falls apart around me!’
You have explained this so well. Now, what can be done about these weasley men?
My column last week on the same theme: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-09-12/donald-trump-unfit-hr-mcmaster-adam-kinzinger
It even mentions Tim's podcast with Adam Kinzinger at the end, on what's keeping the ex-Trump officials & other Republican poobahs on the sidelines.
Me: "Imagine the pre-election power of a news conference in which a phalanx of senior Trump advisors stood shoulder to shoulder to deliver that message, each providing first-hand examples of his derelictions of duty. What could better tip the few undecided voters against Trump than former military leaders, on national TV, giving witness to his disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law and America’s national interests? President George W. Bush, 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, among others, should join, too. We know what they think about Trump. It’s time to endorse Kamala Harris....
"Kinzinger held out hope for 11th hour surprises. So should we all."
It will probably take another one hundred years before the majority of white men and some white women become honest enough with themselves and with integrity to stop the currently more permanent denial syndrome of their inherent racial bias to level critical decisions, whether on political or cultural issues for other developed democratic nations to recognize an American society worthy of praise for accepting and respecting each other as true equals.
Coming from a more genuine advanced, developed pluralistic society with citizen mutual respect and fairness, it is difficult to digest the collapse of comity and feelings of personal safety in USA, just over the past four days as result of the sickening lies told by Donald Trump and J.D Vance against blacks from Haiti of eating pets of residents in Springfield Ohio.
Even more disturbing and sinister is absence of 'public' denouncement by all State- Governor on down, local officials and a significant proportion of Ohio populace in forcefully railing against these hateful threats on 'legal' immigrants, as well as cowardice of major News media to outright condemn Trump and his sick minded MAGA cult of being ant-American and virulently racist, undeserving of leading this nation.
Such abject failure of civic responsibility is notable only in singular nation that arrogantly claims to represent "Freedom and Justice for All" (sic). I find the mediocrity of what I am witnessing hard to believe is true.
I am flummoxed by these people. Only a handful have a future in politics. Many if not most of them are retired. They are intelligent and competent. They know how to look at history. Many have risked their very lives to protect us. I'm sure most think staying out of politics is the right thing to do, as it was when they were in non political positions. It is beyond comprehension that any might actually support Trump.
Maybe they are waiting for the right time. The right time has come, early voting has started.
They know the truth. They won't speak the truth. Shame on them
What do you expect of some old white men? They lack the courage that Liz Cheney has in her pinky finger.
Never cared for Liz Cheney until DJT came down the golden staircase and began spreading nastiness and vulgarity around America. Liz has backbone and is a Republican who has stood up to the deluded empty-suit, Trump. Contrast that to Trump's first Sec. of State, Rex Tillerson, who called him a moron and then went back to his CEO job at Exon.
On the money. Speaking of which Goldman Sachs went public today with their statement that the economy under KH would get a bigger boost than with Trump’s, really no surprise.
And on your list two standouts who have already shamed themselves as far as the rights of women are concerned, Collins and Murkowski. The entire roster have allowed themselves to be bullied by someone they have no respect for. Reprehensible.
I expect nothing good from Susan Collins. But I am truly disappointed by Lisa Murkowski. I believe she is an honorable person.
I do think she would end her political career in Alaska by endorsing Harris. So it's not a trivial move. And she could put her family and herself at risk of physical harm.
But I thought she had the integrity and patriotism to protect our country, even at great personal cost. Perhaps she will still step up. I'd love to see it.
Liz Cheney did the right thing now. Challenge others to follow.
Don't count on McMaster. He's a disgusting pos.
https://www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/watch/-struggle-for-self-worth-there-was-a-fragility-in-trump-s-ego-says-h-r-mcmaster-218339397731
What a total Asshole Gen. McMaster is. To take sides now would only point how wrong he was all along to support Trump. What more does this man have to say. His time and importance have passed. - Move On.
So my sister and I are doing a visibility this am for a local dem, who is running against a MAGA republican. They might be out there too holding their signs. I told her do not let them push you around. Hold your own space on the street corner! Eff them, right? They are just pushy and in your face, and I’m not putting up with it. Love the podcast! I listen every day there’s a new one that drops!
I’m going with 3D chess. Shortly after Labor Day, these folks will start dropping Harris endorsements. A couple a day, every day for weeks. Sucks up oxygen in the news cycle. Makes Trump mad. Keeps him off message. I think that would be way more effective than a whole bunch at once that is forgotten after a news cycle or two. Think water boarding . . . Drip, drip, drip
From your words to God's ear. I have been hoping that the failure of these former Trump officials would come out against him. I hope that they may have been waiting till closer to the election. I hope they start that before the first early voting ballots are in.
To you, the Bullwark patriots, Thank you for your service. We so appreciate everything you do.