643 Comments

No, no change. Anyone Trump picked would not have passed even the easiest of sniff tests. And JD just laid a whopper of a stinkbomb.

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I've never been any good at reading minds or predicting the future, but I'll try a shot at it here...

Trump picked Vance on pure impulse, reacting to Vance's comments on Trump's near-assassination. Any attempt by Trump's advisors to say otherwise will prove untrue. Vance will be a disastrous VP choice, because he has not undergone the severe vetting that a national candidate must face.

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JD Vance is icing on the fetid cake. As Kristol points out, JD is just waiting for his shot...that is unless Trump decides to serve as "President" for life. My hands are raw from wringing.

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Susan

Sorry. I didn't make it clear that Democrats need to make it clear that they must select a new ticket. Now.

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Yes. Thank you for making it clear that not only is the prospect of the return of Trump to the white house a dreadful thought, but going forward there's even more horror that awaits with his VP selection.

It seems to me that, as you surmise, Bulwark members are already opposed to the Second Coming of the orange Jesus. So please focus on guiding your readers / listeners to contact legislators and party leaders with actual email links and phone numbers. We have more than sufficient information. We need to notify Democratic congresspersons that they have our support. Make it easy to do so. Make it damn near idiot proof. We need to encourage the Democratic leadership to stand up. They need to hear from us.

Susan Carlisle

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Ultimately power is all some want and of course authoritarianism is the ultimate power over people, their money, food, and activities.

People may very well live what movies have been made of when the are fully awake.

Praying is a good bolster and perhaps the only thing left.

Happy Trump.

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That was a great summary. And inspired a bitt of hope.

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Brilliantly elucidated, Bill. What can I say but, ‘William Kristol for President’! God, I hope they hear you. On a lighter note, I commented on Tim’s most recent pod where I wondered if Trump has begun his humiliation tactics against Vance as a potential rival, already. He seemed to ensure Vance was robbed of his big moment. He announced it on Truth Social and then it was relayed by Mike Lee during the delegate roll-call to a half filled auditorium. No fanfare. No balloons launched. No big music crescendo as he walked on stage. No raucous capacity crowd applauding. I think Trump sought to remind him that there is only one alpha dog. Trump apparently regretted listening to the elites in choosing Pence. Now he has listened to his moronic sons and as you point out, the likes of Elon Musk. Regardless, Vance better get the message, don't be outshining the Orange Man, or god help you. It could be a very long 270 days for Mr Vance. It might be fun to watch; the only fun thing in this campaign right now, perhaps at all.

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Jul 16·edited Jul 16

Vance will get a total pass on having lived and worked as a finance guy in San Francisco, i.e. as an "elite", while the SF link will tarnish Harris even though she was a prosecutor there. The upside down world that the Republican propaganda machine forces on us is so tiring.

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I think Harris is smart enough to point that put

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founding

as a non-American

the ONLY things that matter in your coming election is the preservation of democracy and the rule of law and recovering integrity in your courts - the Democrats should ONLY need to put a candidate who looks like they could be expected to lead the country for the next 4 years - its a tragedy of america that elections are about marketing rather than facts and thinking

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I am more afraid of Vance after the election than while they are running. He may help Trump win the presidency or he may not. If elected he he will figure out a way to get what he wants Trump or no Trump. He will cause more destruction than Trump because he is so much smarter than Trump. I pray they do not win. 🙏

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I am not a subscriber. I did look at the home page and I still have no idea what you are getting at.

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I know that we’re living in strange times when my first reaction to news that trump had survived was “Damn! He’s gonna raise a ton of cash from that!”.

Another point of oddity:

I sent Liz Cheney $25 supporting her “ Our Great Task, Inc” organization.

Imagine ME donating to LIZ CHENEY 10 years ago? This crisis sure has strange bedfellows.

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founding

Did I "know everything I needed to know about that ticket regardless"?

Hell, I've known everything I need to know - and then some - about Donald Trump and the Republican Party since 2015. And that's why, my life-long history as an Independent 'swing voter' prior to 2016 notwithstanding, I'd never even consider voting for Donald Trump then or now under any circumstances, and I will never vote for another Republican for any office, anywhere at any level at any time for as long as I'm still around to vote. Jesus Christ could come to America, run for some office as a Republican - even Dog Catcher - and he would not get my vote.

#NeverTrump #NeverRepublican

Which is to say #F**kThemAll

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Alarm Bell?? How about a 6 Alarm Fire. Biden needs to bow out now with some dignity and the Dem's get their shit together and not pull another Hillary. Mr. Kristol your words are most insightful and dead on. Please, dear god, let this message be taken to heart by all those voters who have not drunk the "Kool Aid".

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Vance neither helps or hurts Trump's candidacy.

Judge Cannon's dismissal will be reversed by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. But the strategy is to get Trump's case to the Supremes where they will work their magic on his behalf. The concurring opinion of Thomas in the immunity case has outlined the decision that all the other Republican Justices will sign onto with all solemnity. A decision that will be heard and decided on an expedited schedule. So that it can be disposed of before the election. In this way whether he wins or loses this will no longer hang over his head.

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