When one has been wrong, how do they approach a new situation and attempt to explain it is different, not like that other time, and must be approached differently. In 2016, I and most others were convinced Donald Trump could not beat Hillary Clinton. We were wrong. Trump and his supporters have since, despite the outcomes of 2018, 2020, and 2022, insisted that now 2024 is like 2016. How does one persuade them it is not?
How is it different? The 2024 Democratic nominee looks to be as bad as Mrs. Clinton, and he'll have a despised vice-presidential nominee. As for Trump, the indictments (even for a killing on 5th Avenue) don't impress his base. And, if he wins the election, we can find out if he can pardon himself. Given how self-centered Trump his, what's not to like?
Good points, Erick. But they won’t make a difference. If the PRA proves the rule, everything else is not consequential and even if it is consequential, the stench of taking out one’s opponent will only embolden Trump supporters. With Trump, we’ll likely start at 74 million votes. The rest of the field? Maybe 60 million. The help is needed finding to 14 get to 88 Not 14 to get to 74. Simple math that I really believe is in play this cycle.
"They were all told the Access Hollywood tape would end Trump. Then it was General Flynn. Then it was Ukraine. Then it was a pee tape. Then it was holding a Bible in the air across Lafayette Park. Everything is always the end of Trump, except nothing has ended him. But this actually is different."
This gave me a chuckle.
Asks a hard core socialist academic to explain why he still supports an ideology that has a 100% historical failure rate, and he will say "this time it will be different."
Ask a substance abuse addict if he is ready to kick his habit and he will say "this time it will be different".
Ask Hunter Biden if he will finally get clean and get a real job and earn his own living without sponging off his Dad's political position and he will say "this time it will be different".
How many failures does it take before the faithful and easily duped see the truth?
Apparently TDS is similar to a self-aware substance abuse addiction where the addicted can only barely admit to the abstention failures of the past while they look forward to the next challenge to deny themselves a hit... knowing that they will justify it somehow... yet again. Because, this time it will be different.
“This time it will be different “. Ha! The Trump supporters aren’t the only ones singing that tune! Until the establishment/professionals understand that they’re responsible for creating Trump, and change accordingly, then a lot of people will continue to support Trump. He’s a giant middle finger to the political professionals who’ve played the base year after year. Enough. I’ll support DeSantis in the primaries but I’ll vote for Trump in a heartbeat in the general election. I’m a fan of Eric and appreciate his work, but like a lot of pundits, he could use a dose of humility and recognitize that he’s wrong alot and there are no crystal balls and no guarantees on how a second Trump term would play out.
If anyone out there thinks that Trump is the only one who can save us read the article on RCP about Governor DeSantis. It’s mind boggling how in tune he is and who he has on staff. He is exactly what this country needs. I wish more republicans would get on board. Just read it.
Starting to think you have TDS Erick. I am not voting for Trump in the primary. Will certainly vote for him should he get the nomination. So I am not flag bearer for Trump. But the constant article after article is not going to sway anyone. Can we please talk about the Chinese military amassing in the south sea disguised as an exercise but we all know is an imminent invasion of Taiwan.
Can we please talk about how Biden is getting away with criminal acts of bribery and extortion.
To me trump is old news and your giving him more press than he deserves.
That's true, but I've read all the other comments as well and none of them seem as 'Trump Forever' people. They're just being logical. Eric has asked a good and useful question of us, and it's less helpful to claim anyone supporting Trump to any extent must be MAGA crazy. I look forward to hearing what you, and others come up with.
Winning in 2024 is of no value without the right candidate. Elect a RINO and you've done nothing but put a speedbump in the road. Who is going to Make America Great Again?
No one person. In my mind, it’ll take the majority of citizens realizing we’ve been going down a crooked road, and, if you’ll allow me, stop living mindlessly of the God that holds our atoms together.
I agree. The "majority" is standing by waiting to see who is to lead us. Hopefully, someone hardened by combat, because it is NOT going to be nice. I wonder if they can destroy DeSantis before the primaries. Is there anything else that they can throw at Trump?
Here's the difference: The Presidential Records Act give the power of a president the exclusive right to all the papers he wants to keep. They are his. The rest go to the archives. Just as in the Russia hoax, he didn't cooperate with any of those "inquiries" because he knew it was all made up, that he had done nothing wrong. Was he sloppy with those classified documents, yeah, I guess so. But felonious? No. Did he ask his lawyers what if he just removed some of the items to another location? Looks like he did, but so what? Isn't that what privileged conversations with lawyers and advisors are all about? The concept of charging this ex-president of going afoul of the Espionage Act is ludicrous, dangerous, and exposes the depths to which the establishment and the army of deep state apparatchiks will go to maintain their cushy sinecures.
So despite no longer needing the information, he gets to take the nuclear codes, missile silo and spy locations with him and then just let them lay around Mar-a-Lago where people he hardly even knows come and go everyday?
I don't believe any of the material he had or has would put the nation in danger. If they could or would, then those should be the charges, not that he "mishandled" classified documents that he as the CEO and sole representative of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government could have at any time de-classified. It just doesn't add up. To me it's just the bureaucrat class letting the executive class know that it is really they who are in charge. And, I'd rather that elected officials make those decisions.
If you read the indictment, then you know Trump was more than just "sloppy with his papers." He knowingly showed classified material to people who lacked security clearances. The Trump administration thought that such an offence warranted the criminal prosecution of this woman:
The main thing that I think warrants criminal sanction is Trump having told the government that he had returned everything, knowing that he had not. He shouldn't get away with deliberately misleading the government in a matter involving national security.
"Mishandled" is the charge only because they apparently have no proof that those same documents got into enemy hands however if kept so carelessly that might have changed. Of course, considering the all the govt hacks (another today) they may have been safer out of govt hands...
You might want to read the indictment. "Mishandled" included showing classified information to people who lacked security clearances.
Oh and by the way, which enemy do you think is stupid enough to say, "Ha, ha. Look here. I have your secret documents!" Failing that, how can its possession of classified information ever be proven?
Given that there has recently been credible evidence put forward regarding the corruption of Biden and his band of criminals, including 20 compromised republican congressman who voted to stop the investigation of Schiff, it is incredible that you spend your time again disparaging Trump in any way possible. This country is about to explode and you seem to be working for the same boss the NYTIMES answers to. In 2016 Donald Trump became President because people felt like he was the only person that would fight corruption in politics. Now, those people plus many more are certain that he is the only one. You can’t make a good argument against their reasoning. If Donald Trump goes to prison the wolf will be at all our doors. Likewise, if Donald Trump is not re-elected the wolf will be at all our doors.
I can make a good argument against their reasoning - that is, that Trump is the only one who would fight corruption in politics. To just about everyone's bewilderment, Trump's first trip overseas was to Saudi Arabia. Contrary to the conclusions reached by his own intelligence officials, he dismissed the brutal killing of that Saudi journalist and then at the end of his administration, the Saudis hand $2 billion to his son-in-law.
Well? All of that. Trump is really throwing a monkey wrench into the American political system … once again! I guess the soft-left, self-serving, deeply entrenched, Republican political establishment should have predicted the rise of someone like Trump as a result of their decades of supporting their own political interests over the good of the people. Trump is the Frankenstein monster of their own creation, and he is destroying the Republican Party. So terribly unfortunate. They deserve it; We The People don’t.
This comment is so very on point. In election after election, establishment Republicans used "red meat" issues to energize the Republican Party's increasingly MAGA base, but all that base ever got for its efforts was tax and regulation cuts that benefitted the establishment's rich donors. Then Trump comes along and he is as deadly serious about their issues as they are. Together, they wrest control of the party away from the establishment, with the MAGA base strongly suspecting (and they are probably right) that everyone except Trump is just establishment in disguise. Unfortunate as it may be, their die-hard loyalty to him is completely understandable.
I don’t know that you can. Every leftist person and organization has been weaponized the get Trump from 2016 onward. Trap after trap has been set. He foolishly makes a misstep, but the grand jury process has been weaponized against him, so, in my view, only his enemies, are saying, “Great! Got him now”. Did you hear Tucker’s most recent comments? Trump should not have withheld anything from a grand jury, but legitimate institutions have been used to go after him - like a perjury trap. Still want DeSantis but perhaps Trump felt these attacks weren’t legitimate. Technically they were, though. And, as Joe G. said yesterday, wait till these allegations against against Biden get more attention. Two- tier justice system, most definitely.
Yes I did hear Tuckers comments. Tucker is being revealed as a National Treasure, good, bad or otherwise. Im beginning to believe he could be the next Rush Limbaugh … if not Ayn Rand ….
I like Tucker. Tucker, Eric, and one other Substack guy are my personal Venn diagram (😳doesn’t Kamela like Venn diagrams). I read, and think, but don’t auto-buy anything. Tucker and Eric are often at opposite sides, but each are worth listening to.
How is it different? The 2024 Democratic nominee looks to be as bad as Mrs. Clinton, and he'll have a despised vice-presidential nominee. As for Trump, the indictments (even for a killing on 5th Avenue) don't impress his base. And, if he wins the election, we can find out if he can pardon himself. Given how self-centered Trump his, what's not to like?
Good points, Erick. But they won’t make a difference. If the PRA proves the rule, everything else is not consequential and even if it is consequential, the stench of taking out one’s opponent will only embolden Trump supporters. With Trump, we’ll likely start at 74 million votes. The rest of the field? Maybe 60 million. The help is needed finding to 14 get to 88 Not 14 to get to 74. Simple math that I really believe is in play this cycle.
"They were all told the Access Hollywood tape would end Trump. Then it was General Flynn. Then it was Ukraine. Then it was a pee tape. Then it was holding a Bible in the air across Lafayette Park. Everything is always the end of Trump, except nothing has ended him. But this actually is different."
This gave me a chuckle.
Asks a hard core socialist academic to explain why he still supports an ideology that has a 100% historical failure rate, and he will say "this time it will be different."
Ask a substance abuse addict if he is ready to kick his habit and he will say "this time it will be different".
Ask Hunter Biden if he will finally get clean and get a real job and earn his own living without sponging off his Dad's political position and he will say "this time it will be different".
How many failures does it take before the faithful and easily duped see the truth?
Apparently TDS is similar to a self-aware substance abuse addiction where the addicted can only barely admit to the abstention failures of the past while they look forward to the next challenge to deny themselves a hit... knowing that they will justify it somehow... yet again. Because, this time it will be different.
“This time it will be different “. Ha! The Trump supporters aren’t the only ones singing that tune! Until the establishment/professionals understand that they’re responsible for creating Trump, and change accordingly, then a lot of people will continue to support Trump. He’s a giant middle finger to the political professionals who’ve played the base year after year. Enough. I’ll support DeSantis in the primaries but I’ll vote for Trump in a heartbeat in the general election. I’m a fan of Eric and appreciate his work, but like a lot of pundits, he could use a dose of humility and recognitize that he’s wrong alot and there are no crystal balls and no guarantees on how a second Trump term would play out.
BOOM. Thank you.
If anyone out there thinks that Trump is the only one who can save us read the article on RCP about Governor DeSantis. It’s mind boggling how in tune he is and who he has on staff. He is exactly what this country needs. I wish more republicans would get on board. Just read it.
Starting to think you have TDS Erick. I am not voting for Trump in the primary. Will certainly vote for him should he get the nomination. So I am not flag bearer for Trump. But the constant article after article is not going to sway anyone. Can we please talk about the Chinese military amassing in the south sea disguised as an exercise but we all know is an imminent invasion of Taiwan.
Can we please talk about how Biden is getting away with criminal acts of bribery and extortion.
To me trump is old news and your giving him more press than he deserves.
You’re getting the “only and forever Trump” contingent mighty exercised, Erick.
Not true, Bill. I'm no 'forever Trump' person, and thinking that is a weakness in understanding what to do so we win in '24.
You’re not the only comment author.
That's true, but I've read all the other comments as well and none of them seem as 'Trump Forever' people. They're just being logical. Eric has asked a good and useful question of us, and it's less helpful to claim anyone supporting Trump to any extent must be MAGA crazy. I look forward to hearing what you, and others come up with.
...because, winning in '24 is necessary.
Winning in 2024 is of no value without the right candidate. Elect a RINO and you've done nothing but put a speedbump in the road. Who is going to Make America Great Again?
No one person. In my mind, it’ll take the majority of citizens realizing we’ve been going down a crooked road, and, if you’ll allow me, stop living mindlessly of the God that holds our atoms together.
I agree. The "majority" is standing by waiting to see who is to lead us. Hopefully, someone hardened by combat, because it is NOT going to be nice. I wonder if they can destroy DeSantis before the primaries. Is there anything else that they can throw at Trump?
Here's the difference: The Presidential Records Act give the power of a president the exclusive right to all the papers he wants to keep. They are his. The rest go to the archives. Just as in the Russia hoax, he didn't cooperate with any of those "inquiries" because he knew it was all made up, that he had done nothing wrong. Was he sloppy with those classified documents, yeah, I guess so. But felonious? No. Did he ask his lawyers what if he just removed some of the items to another location? Looks like he did, but so what? Isn't that what privileged conversations with lawyers and advisors are all about? The concept of charging this ex-president of going afoul of the Espionage Act is ludicrous, dangerous, and exposes the depths to which the establishment and the army of deep state apparatchiks will go to maintain their cushy sinecures.
So despite no longer needing the information, he gets to take the nuclear codes, missile silo and spy locations with him and then just let them lay around Mar-a-Lago where people he hardly even knows come and go everyday?
I don't believe any of the material he had or has would put the nation in danger. If they could or would, then those should be the charges, not that he "mishandled" classified documents that he as the CEO and sole representative of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government could have at any time de-classified. It just doesn't add up. To me it's just the bureaucrat class letting the executive class know that it is really they who are in charge. And, I'd rather that elected officials make those decisions.
Have you read the actual indictment?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/read-full-text-trump-indictment-pdf-copy-unsealed-documents-case/
Yes, I have and I'll agree that Trump was sloppy with his papers, including some marked "classified" or more. But criminal? C'mon.
If you read the indictment, then you know Trump was more than just "sloppy with his papers." He knowingly showed classified material to people who lacked security clearances. The Trump administration thought that such an offence warranted the criminal prosecution of this woman:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_Winner
She got five years for mishandling just one classified document, but Trump goes free in a case involving hundreds? C'mon.
The main thing that I think warrants criminal sanction is Trump having told the government that he had returned everything, knowing that he had not. He shouldn't get away with deliberately misleading the government in a matter involving national security.
"Mishandled" is the charge only because they apparently have no proof that those same documents got into enemy hands however if kept so carelessly that might have changed. Of course, considering the all the govt hacks (another today) they may have been safer out of govt hands...
You might want to read the indictment. "Mishandled" included showing classified information to people who lacked security clearances.
Oh and by the way, which enemy do you think is stupid enough to say, "Ha, ha. Look here. I have your secret documents!" Failing that, how can its possession of classified information ever be proven?
"Lock her up?"
Given that there has recently been credible evidence put forward regarding the corruption of Biden and his band of criminals, including 20 compromised republican congressman who voted to stop the investigation of Schiff, it is incredible that you spend your time again disparaging Trump in any way possible. This country is about to explode and you seem to be working for the same boss the NYTIMES answers to. In 2016 Donald Trump became President because people felt like he was the only person that would fight corruption in politics. Now, those people plus many more are certain that he is the only one. You can’t make a good argument against their reasoning. If Donald Trump goes to prison the wolf will be at all our doors. Likewise, if Donald Trump is not re-elected the wolf will be at all our doors.
I can make a good argument against their reasoning - that is, that Trump is the only one who would fight corruption in politics. To just about everyone's bewilderment, Trump's first trip overseas was to Saudi Arabia. Contrary to the conclusions reached by his own intelligence officials, he dismissed the brutal killing of that Saudi journalist and then at the end of his administration, the Saudis hand $2 billion to his son-in-law.
Well? All of that. Trump is really throwing a monkey wrench into the American political system … once again! I guess the soft-left, self-serving, deeply entrenched, Republican political establishment should have predicted the rise of someone like Trump as a result of their decades of supporting their own political interests over the good of the people. Trump is the Frankenstein monster of their own creation, and he is destroying the Republican Party. So terribly unfortunate. They deserve it; We The People don’t.
This comment is so very on point. In election after election, establishment Republicans used "red meat" issues to energize the Republican Party's increasingly MAGA base, but all that base ever got for its efforts was tax and regulation cuts that benefitted the establishment's rich donors. Then Trump comes along and he is as deadly serious about their issues as they are. Together, they wrest control of the party away from the establishment, with the MAGA base strongly suspecting (and they are probably right) that everyone except Trump is just establishment in disguise. Unfortunate as it may be, their die-hard loyalty to him is completely understandable.
I don’t know that you can. Every leftist person and organization has been weaponized the get Trump from 2016 onward. Trap after trap has been set. He foolishly makes a misstep, but the grand jury process has been weaponized against him, so, in my view, only his enemies, are saying, “Great! Got him now”. Did you hear Tucker’s most recent comments? Trump should not have withheld anything from a grand jury, but legitimate institutions have been used to go after him - like a perjury trap. Still want DeSantis but perhaps Trump felt these attacks weren’t legitimate. Technically they were, though. And, as Joe G. said yesterday, wait till these allegations against against Biden get more attention. Two- tier justice system, most definitely.
Yes I did hear Tuckers comments. Tucker is being revealed as a National Treasure, good, bad or otherwise. Im beginning to believe he could be the next Rush Limbaugh … if not Ayn Rand ….
I like Tucker. Tucker, Eric, and one other Substack guy are my personal Venn diagram (😳doesn’t Kamela like Venn diagrams). I read, and think, but don’t auto-buy anything. Tucker and Eric are often at opposite sides, but each are worth listening to.
“is worth”, sorry grammarians.