36 Comments

To say that DeSantis aligns with Joey Malarkey's position on Ukraine is specious. DeSantis is strongly stating a principle and direction. Joey is essentially saying that Ukraine sorta deserves F-16s and might very well get them. DeSantis looks like a leader. Trump too, as has often been the case, essentially has the correct approach as well, although, as is ALWAYS the case, he states it as a sign of the greatness only he possesses: The Policy of ME. Republicans commit political suicide if they choose childish Don, who more than half of America views as a blowhard, over DeSantis.

Expand full comment

"THE Truth" includes such axioms as "XX & XY chromosomes determine gender;" not YOUR truth that "It's my choice." "Abortion terminates a discreet life;" not YOUR truth that "It's not a baby until it leaves the womb." "Spending more than you have is not wise;" not YOUR truth that says "Spend what you want and worry about the debt later." In other words, THE truth does appear objectively to align with what might be labeled "conservative" positions. SO (i think) it would be wise for Republicans to skew toward conservative candidates whose positions are closer to self-evident truths. Any other choice will perpetuate the situational ethics that threaten to destroy our republic. Whether Desantis will survive the primary or drift left if he wins remains to be seen. At the moment he appears to be a worthy candidate who could also win.

Expand full comment

The Republicans who want to return to the days before Trump worry me. I voted for him twice--reluctantly--but I felt we needed a new direction. While I appreciate some of the things he did while in office very much, I just cannot imagine Trump as president now. And I certainly don't want to see the return of the same old GOP that existed before Trump days. I don't want to go back; I want to go forward.

Expand full comment

Think many conservatives agree with you. I’d waited to see if Trump could have toned himself down, (insults, etc.) after the election loss, but he seems to have learned nothing in that regard, the best I can see. I can’t see independents and disgusted democrats voting for Trump and we need them to win. So, if Trump doesn’t win the nomination and starts a third party, to me that would be traitorous.

Expand full comment

Wanting candidates who agree with them rather than who can win didn't start in 2023. Back in 1996, conservatives who had once been happy that Reagan appealed to both social conservatives and economic conservatives suddenly couldn't tolerate the Phil Gramm appealed to "those other conservatives." As a Republican activist in Iowa at the time, I heard incessant whining from social conservative that he talked too much about economics (which is shocking coming from an economics professor!) and from economic conservatives that he was even going and talking to those "Religious Righters." What had been part of Reagan's appeal become part of Gramm's downfall.

Expand full comment

Boy Erick. Two days with this poll result that voters want a candidate that agrees with them rather than a candidate that wins. It appear to me that you jumped on it because of confirmation bias. Frankly I think you are misinterpreting the results. It isn’t profound. It is the way it is with human nature. However, it misses two points of nuance. One is that for many “what we like” we believe is what should win to make America great again. That is the adult what we like. It is based on a comprehensive assessment of the real issues and opportunities on the ground. It is owned by people living a life disconnected from beltway media, politics and not abducted the soft money of government flowing to their accounts. Two, it misses the human degradation to a larger population of adult-age underdeveloped narcissistic children that throw tantrums in retribution when the don’t get what they’re way…. And what they want is personal and not based on a comprehensive assessment of what is better for the country. They join the neocons alway looking for the next war. This tathtrum interventionists will of course bristle at opposition, but they have proven that they will vote negative in retribution knowing they screwed the country… because of mean Tweets. The same fuels the support for US spending on Ukraine.

Obama and all other policy makers had already concluded had zero strategic US interest, but intervention is supported by the tantrum interventionist people because of their hate of Trump and transferred to Putin, their continued election denial that Hillary lost in 2016. There is no comprehensive value proposition for the US involvement, but the neocon and tantrum interventionists are all in anyway. And they are all in specifically because of myopic stupidity and uncontrolled emotions dominating their moral sense. There is no reliable analysis that has this ending well for the US. But you get canceled as a “Putin lover” for pointing it out.

And because of this they, the neocon and tantrum interventionists, cannot argue effectively to justify the purpose. It becomes weirdly religious. Tucker makes the establishment look more stupid and unhinged every day.

Meanwhile the CCP advances its global influence and we are stuck on stupid.

Yes, we like candidates that agree with us.. but many of us are looking for agreement that would topple the establishment before the system is completely destroyed and we are fighting WWW-III.

Expand full comment
author

Actually, the conversation around DeSantis bears the polling out. That's the point. Republicans really do want to be affirmed, not win.

Expand full comment

I am a Republican and I want to win. That is why I voted for Trump even though I did not like his personality, still do not like his personality... and don't agree with every of his policy ideas and certainly don't agree with his propensity to attack other politicians that I like, like De Santis. I find most of my Republican friends are like-minded that way. It seems the polling must have left us out and captured more of the old establishment types.

I will vote for the primary candidate that I think has the best chance of winning. Because I care about the country more than I care about my personal feelings on politics. Maybe because that is because I have a life where family, friends, career, God... these things all mean more to me than being to made to feel right in the media chattering class culture. I don't even need to see Republicans win in this case. Democrats would be fine if they were not insane. They are insane, ans so at this point in our political time we have to get them out of office. Almost any Republican is better than having Democrats in control. Maybe moderate Democrats rise up and take back the party from the insane, but I see no evidence that is occurring. My old liberal progressive friends have adopted woke. They have gone insane too.

Just given me leaders that are truly transparent, honest, self-aware, rational and intelligent... support policy that is good for the country... solves social and economic problems and moves us forward. They are gonna have to be a fighter. And if a fighter they are going to fray the sensitivities of the most sensitive beltway snowflakes. If a real Republican I would expect to power through that and vote for what is right not what validates feeling right. I really don't trust this poll based on my read.

Expand full comment

He called it a “territorial dispute.” How is this even close to an accurate description of Russia’s war of aggression and conquest? It’s as dumb as Putin’s “special military operation” label. I can’t help but lose some respect.

Expand full comment

Erick your analysis is excellent in this! You presented incredibly pertinent facts (er, they are based in fact, which makes them true, which makes you a bad person--chin up!) and perhaps one of the best definitions of post-modernity I have read recently--and I have read a bunch of definitions! I truly appreciate this. You and I both understand everything will occur as it is suppose to yet this does not preclude our responsibilities to still point to the oncoming existential circumstances. Nice!

Expand full comment

Erick, you've called attention to the rapidly-closing gap between Dem and GOP voters' self-centeredness. Assuming there are historians in future decades, they will note that our constitutional republic fell / nearly fell (choose one) thanks to the sin of pride.

Expand full comment

People want “their righteousness” thinking they are righteous and more pure. We need to heavily humble ourselves. There is only one who is righteous. People put too much faith into politics thinking they are going to change the world to their way. In a 50/50 nation good luck. The more one side pushes, the deeper the other side digs in. The way I see it we’re all standing on the cliffs edge and have no idea it’s eroding right underneath us. God help us all, cause he’s the only way !!!

Expand full comment

Normally, I read all your stuff. I didn't today as soon as I realized the post was based on a "poll of Republicans by CNN."

This is nothing but propaganda put out by CNN. Period.

CNN's posts and stories are valuable for one thing, and one thing only: understanding what the truth is not.

Whatever the state-run propagandistas put out its goal is to support their plans, agendas, and ideals while destroying conservative's plans, agendas, and ideals. All of them really are that simple at this point. The Free Press I think may be the only real reporting going on right now. Maybe the Washington Free Beacon or a few other obscure outlets. The rest are all agenda drive, for the left and the right. Good luck.

Expand full comment
author

You missed the underlying point that the poll shows is real.

Expand full comment

Okay. I read it all. I don't see how the underlying point is that the poll is real. I also don't see anything showing me the methodology of the poll. What about this CNN poll makes you believe it is real vs all the other CNN polls that are crap?

I'm not trying to argue with you and I trust you but I don't trust CNN.

To be clear, I am not an election denier. We made fun of HRCs supporters et al for four years because they couldn't acknowledge America de-selected them. The election deniers are no different at this point. I have no more oxygen to waste on them. But I think we can have the ideological battle in the primary and come out the other side with a better candidate who can still win the general. I would love to know why that one poll makes you think otherwise? Thanks.

Expand full comment
author

Mark, I think the poll is a fun way to jump off on what is happening in the GOP because I see the poll reflected in reality with the reaction to DeSantis. No offense, but you are not alone in letting my throw away reference to a poll distract from the larger point that on both the Always Trump and Never Trump ends of the GOP we really are seeing a movement of people who will either get their candidate the nomination or walk away. That DeSantis is suddenly to radically unfit for office for a pile of Republicans because of his statement on Ukraine is both an example of the poll playing out in real life and also rather stupid.

Expand full comment

No offense taken. My mother taught me to have a thicker skin than that but thank you for being concerned. I wonder how many of these "people" who are willing to take their ball and go home if their candidate doesn't get the nomination are actually US voters? Is it possible this is a psyops from someone? Just a thought. Ukraine is of vital importance to the world but only so far as we can keep the fighting there and not let it spill over to other places. If we keep it contained, we keep our men and women in uniform out of it. If we fail to keep it contained, we have the seeds of WWIII. I think that's the point of DeSantis' statement and he's right. We stand on the precipice of greater conflict and some people in the United States cannot see that to navigate important decisions in that light.

Also, I am flattered that you would respond to me while on the air. Thank you, sir. Now, focus so Phillip doesn't get on your case ;)

Expand full comment

I tend to agree with you and I think Erick misses your point. CNN and the Left (but I repeat myself) will do anything to sow divisions within the Republican ranks using whatever means possible. This is the beginning of the campaign and we are going to see issues argued back and forth between now and the conventions with the press and the Left (again I repeat myself) doing its worst to divide the Republicans. My thought is to keep my powder dry and not to engage in a circular firing squad. I will vote for just about any Republican- to include Trump - to prevent Biden’s reelection or any other candidate from the clown car of the party of Evil.

Expand full comment

I will not vote for Ramaswamy. I also don't think he has a chance. I think he's a messaging candidate that is trying to suck oxygen out of the room. I'd love to know who it was that convinced him to run? My bet is there are clandestine leftists out there propping up as many minor league GOP candidates as they can to crowd the field again. They never learn. That's how they got DJT in 2016, and they hate him.

Expand full comment

From what little I know of him, I would vote for him in the general election. There are only a few Republicans I wouldn’t vote for - Baker (MA), Hogan (MD) - because I think they are just Democrats in drag (which is why even Democrats vote for them; it checks off two on their list being Democrats and being in drag).

That said, I don’t think Ramaswamy has a chance either. I also don’t think Trump can win, but I will vote for him in the general election. The Left and media (again I keep repeating myself) propped him up in the 2016 primaries because they thought he would be the easiest for Hillary to beat. They won’t make the same mistake this time and they will try to tie any Republican to him as a MAGA boogeyman. Right now I think, Desantis, Pence, Pompeo, or Halley can beat anyone from the party of Evil if we stay united; meaning Trump doesn’t sabotage the candidate who might beat him in the primaries. This is my major concern which as of the moment I think unfortunately is the most likely possibility.

Expand full comment

The preferred solution to Trump, one which I think is extremely likely, is to starve him of cash. If he doesn't spend his reserves, he doesn't compete. If he does spend his reserves, he runs out before the home stretch and gets beaten. The problem here is the same problem Georgia ran into with Stacey Abrams who got 80% of her money from outside the state. I am 100% certain if Trump looks to be getting funded by questionable sources and needs it to stay in the race, the Left and their lapdog propagandists in the state-run media will ignore it. Unfortunately, it looks like funding DJT in the primary is something the left is willing to do because they think they can beat him, and they probably can.

Expand full comment
Mar 15, 2023·edited Mar 15, 2023

If Republicans are anything, they’re consistent in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory over and over and over again. I’m 52 now, and it’s what I’ve witnessed since following politics beginning in the Reagan era. Which partially explains our country’s current predicament - how the heck did Clinton and Obama win second terms and how the heck did D’s do so well last fall??? Biden is every bit of the disaster I expected, but the moderates (Rs) are happy he isn’t Trump…

I’ll support whoever the R nominee is, but right now I’m all in on DeSantis - he does the very difficult and right things that are not popular with pop culture or the MSM. Although, I’d be okay with Pence or Haley.

Expand full comment

I would love a DeSantis/Haley ticket in any order. We get that and we control the White House for 16 years. Maybe longer depending on who the second eight picks as a VP.

Expand full comment

Sounds good to me! Conservative leadership from the top would push the squishy moderates in the senate and Congress - looking at you Mitch and Mitt…

Expand full comment

I have zero issues with Desantis’ position. If you listen to Tucker’s show enough, you’ll hear some curious things going on in Ukraine. I’ve no idea if those things are true or not as I only hear Tucker talk about them, but Tucker is the only person talking about many things. A strong American leader, one who’d not committed to ridding America of fossil fuels, could use a position of strength to force negotiations to end this tragic, stupid conflict. Hopefully we will get a strong, wise leader in two long years, who will also be saddled then with four years of abject failure to correct.

Expand full comment

I'm with you but cleaning up abject failure is what Republicans are always doing after Democrats are voted out! It's a cycle the American voters just don't seem to understand!

Expand full comment

And democrats are determined that the voting populace continues to not understand, and accept their sanitized version of the truth on main stream ‘news’.

Expand full comment

Isolationism has been with us since the founding of the country. I long for a presidential candidate that has the fortitude to wage the internal battles in the primary that they will certainly need to externally wage sitting behind the Resolute Desk.

Expand full comment

The old Republican Party of rich people putting tougher a coalition to get elected then doing nothing for the people while promoting big business still has supporters like the Bushes and Romney but the party has moved on. I like the populist leanings because the policies help the economy for the little guy and if he/ she prospers the entire economy does well.

Trump offered that to people because he accomplished things that put the country on a better economic footing which strengthens our country’s wellbeing.

The porous borders, the need for drugs, the mutilation of young people, gangs, war on oil, give away wealth to buy votes and crime weaken the country. We can not afford to continue on this path. Biden has supported the Alaskan drilling, and will support more moderate things to win the next election. He is in a good position because he wants to take on Trump and if Trump is not nominated, wants a third party run by Trump.

Whoever gets the Republican nomination should be supported by all. Otherwise we will get what we have today for 2024-2028.

Expand full comment

Especially big business today is super woke. However, the execs say and virtue signal one thing, but trust me they definitely live another way.

Expand full comment

So far, what’s not to like. I’m tired of Washington with its business as usual attitude. That is OUR money that they just throw around. What is so wron with

Expand full comment

What is so wrong with wanting accountability on the money we send to Ukraine.

Expand full comment

Not a thing. Nothing at all. Let's get DeSantis elected and we'll have it.

Expand full comment
Comment removed
Expand full comment

It seems to me (a part-time Florida resident) that DeSantis has a track record of governing as a conservative in Florida. I would reasonably expect him to do the same as president if he were to run and be elected.

Expand full comment
author

I'm actually a conservative who backed conservatives against the establishment for a very long time. I backed Cruz against Dewhurst. I backed Rubio against Crist. I backed Roy in Texas, Banks in Indiana, Bevin against McConnell, Paul against Grayson, etc. I know you think I'm not a conservative because I'm not willing to hump Donald Trump's leg, but I actually do hope those who are so sensitive they think I'm insulting them do go away. Politics is rough and tumble and they still haven't put their big boy pants on, hoping instead Trump will fight it out. They can go away. I'm okay with that. If my words can chase them away, they should go.

Expand full comment