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My President, Mr. Trump
If you’ve read my posts before, you might have noticed I was one of those super-smart #NeverTrump types. One of the guys who thought conventional rules kinda still applied in 2016. That polls, while flawed, were probably more right than wrong when you averaged them all out. That get-out-the-vote and big data and party unity were all important. After all, hundreds of super-super-smart people assured me of these iron laws. Granted, I wasn’t about to make any predictions this year, but I figured Trump had about a one-in-three chance of pulling this off. And damned if I didn’t know that an arrogant group-think media, sneering prog pop culture, and the corrupt-to-the-core Clinton machine needed to be brought low.
Luckily for the Republican Party, I was wrong. So very, very wrong. I still don’t agree with Trump’s style or his instincts; I really wanted a small-r republican, limited-government option. But he not only won the White House, he retained the House, retained the Senate, and possibly saved the Supreme Court for a generation. A hearty congratulations to everyone who supported him, his staff, and of course, The Donald himself.
One more thing: I know I have zero part in Trump’s victory, but man does it feel good to watch Clinton, Inc. be swallowed into the earth. Well done, Mr. President-Elect. Maybe it’s true that only you could have accomplished it.
God bless America, her leaders, and her people.
Published in General
Well and graciously said.
I’m not a Trump fan either. But President Trump is probably a small price to pay for Republicans finally controlling both the White House and Congress. If half of what he claims to stand for is genuine, Republicans are out of excuses.
The Trump train is still taking on riders, Jon! Welcome aboard!
I’m not getting on board, but as long as it’s going my way, I’ll be happy to meet y’all at the station.
Is it possible to add a signature to posts on Ricochet? I think I need one.
DISCLAIMER: Rebark thought that a Trump win was all but impossible, apparently due to his head being buried halfway to China in sand. His predictions are to be taken with a heaping tablespoon of salt.
Here’s hoping I’m just as wrong about Trump’s intrinsic flaws and unfitness for the office.
As a Never Hillary guy who’s taken a lot of barbs on here lately, I am humbled when I see a Never trump person be so gracious, much like @roblong was earlier today. Thanks for your honesty and humility Jon, it’s going to be okay :)
We all need to be together now and hold the Republicans collective feet to the fire. Let’s fix what the left has broken, for our kids and grand-kids.
Well said. I am tired of angry NeverTrumpers and appreciate the willingness to accept good fortune graciously. I do feel sorry for Cruz although Trump might name him to the Supreme Court, which would be a better place for him. Pence will have the chance he never expected to follow Trump who will probably not want a second term. He has proven what he set out to prove.
I was not a NeverTrumper, but never liked Trump, and am glad he was elected. I’m especially glad we have the House and Senate, too. Great things can happen!
That’s going to be the first test, isn’t it? I mean, any opposition to Trump from the Right is because we don’t much trust him to do what he promised to do. Legislation and undoing the bureaucracy will take months … but he’s got a SC vacancy right now.
This could go several ways, but one possibility is that Trump immediately nominates a stalwart originalist … or another possibility is that he dangles it as leverage for later.
Frankly, I hope he takes a few weeks off. These days, politicians see their popularity rise when they stay out of the spotlight. Let him go away for a while, and then address the vacancy when things shake out a little.
I am thrilled by holding the House and Senate. And, yes, it’s enjoyable seeing Hillary lose.
But “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” As I would in any presidential election, I reserve judgement on how good Trump is/will be until I see him actually doing the things he promised to do.
As I said (here on Ricochet) in July, if Trump does an even half-way good job, I will be glad because I care more about the country than I do about having my opinion of him confirmed. I hope that the more enthusiastic promoters of Trump will also hold him accountable.
During the primaries I was very anti-Trump, concerned as I was about his lack of depth and general demeanor. As time went on and he became the nominee, the only thing I was concerned about was beating Hill.
For some time prior to the election, I had a strong sense that the polls were wrong. Part of this was how quiet many people other than Trumpers were about any support for him. That and the fact that for quite a while, many did not want to admit publicly (pollsters) their leanings. But the more Hill tied herself to O, who in a short time managed to rip the country apart racially-wise, social issues-wise, international relations -wise, militarily-wise, etc., the more people did not want to see this continue. Again, often quiet conversations. When it became very obvious to all that O needed her to win in order to continue his agenda, the people, as they say, rose up on Tuesday.
I think you may be on to something: “Maybe it’s true that only you could have accomplished it.” People were sick of the same old same old and wanted to move in a different direction.
Jon, this is very gracious and an example of why I like Ricochet so much. Thank you.
I was (am) a reluctant Trump supporter: #NeverSoros. And I think that a healthy skepticism of Trump, or of any President, is warranted.
I’d like to see that skepticism put to good use and see Congress stop behaving like a damned rubber stamp as they have done for the past eight years.
What say you to a Ricochet Meetup at the Inauguration in DC?
I need a disclaimer like that too. And I’ll be hoping along with you. Hope and change. I think I’ve heard that line before.
I am relieved, and wary (both an understatement). He’s not your papa’s GOP candidate. But your papa’s candidate probably would not have survived all the poo-flinging the MSM and the Hillary campaign are capable of.
All morning my relief grows as realization dawns: the Supreme Court; a stronger military; the demise of Obamacare; a restraint on the EPA; new leadership in the Dept of Justice, FBI, IRS, etc.; stopping government attacks on religious freedom and the second amendment, a reversal of the Iran deal, lower taxes/stronger economic recovery — and more!
These things which seemed lost yesterday, now are possible. It’s a great day for America.
Jon,
Welcome back.
Regards,
Jim
Well said. At risk (actually risking nothing since my reputation is on the outs) I add that I was not against Trump merely because I wrongly thought he could not win. I think it is too early to know the ramifications of his election. I sense bad things from the left. I fear the call now will be to get behind Trump right or wrong to fight the left’s tantrum. There will be a lot of loyalty tests that I will concede now.
My overall feeling is one of relief and happiness that Hillary and her machine will not be allowed anywhere near the levers of power. I am happy that Trump has won and I am cautiously optimistic for the future.
What’s kind of amusing is that my husband keeps saying, “And he immediately needs to . . . ” and the list goes on forever! It will be interesting to see what he does, and when
Exit polls published by CNN suggest that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump did better among Latino voters than his party’s 2012 nominee, Mitt Romney. Trump lost the Latino vote to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton by a 29 percent-65 percent margin. That is significantly better than Romney did when he lost that demographic group to President Obama by a 27 percent-71 percent margin.
This is the best thing Jon has written for months. Don’t take that the wrong way – I think this this is a near-perfect post: it’s among the best things anyone has written for months. I have high hopes for Ricochet.
Trump was not my first choice in the primaries, but I voted for him yesterday to do my part to get him elected and keep Hillary out of the White House. Unfortunately, at the moment New Hampshire is still too close to call. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter because Trump flipped Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida, maybe Michigan, and Wisconsin. Unbelievable! I was very pessimistic about Trump’s chances and believed that I had joined the losing team, but felt it was the right thing to do under the circumstances. I do feel the pull towards laughing in the face of liberals today, but am trying to contain myself. I did post on Facebook this morning at about 4AM, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.” But now I kind of regret that. I’m pleased that Trump came out this morning and was gracious toward Hillary, that Hillary followed suit, and also that President Obama did the right thing and was gracious not only to Trump, but to George W. Bush, as well!
For some reason I hear La Marseillaise in my head.
It’s good to have you and most of #NeverTrump back on-board, and I’m sure things will be just fine.
After you go through a brief stay the re-education camps, of course. Please report to Camp Lewandowski on 9am on Monday for your first session.
Do NOT be late. You will need to read Chapters 1-5 of “Art of the Deal” before you arrive. Bring a trowel, you will be building a wall as part of your re-education.
Step One: Stop Hilliary – check
That was the easy one.
Step Two: Legislate and Govern Like Conservatives – ?
Not sure in whom I have less faith to do this, Trump or GOP Congressional leaders.
Memo to Senator @mitchmcconnell Representative Paul Ryan: You NOW have the three levers of power you always claimed you needed in order to make a difference in Washington.
So do some good with it, would ya? Grow spines. No more friggin’ excuses. Repeal-and-replace Obamacare. Repeal Dodd/Frank. Restore limited government, personal responsibility, individual liberty, religious freedom, and America’s standing as the world’s only and great military superpower. Implement conservative principles and ideals so the American people can see clearly and convincingly that they are far superior to anything the Left has to offer.
Think you boys can handle that? If not, get out of the way and let someone else who can.
Total votes:
2012 Barack Obama: 65,459,611
2012 Mitt Romney: 60,933,504
2016 Hillary Clinton: 59,668,724
2016 Donald Trump: 59,459,611
2008 Barack Obama: 69,498,516
2008 John McCain: 59,948,516
2004 George Bush: 62,039,073
2004 John Kerry: 59,027,478
2000 George Bush: 50,456,062
2000 Al Gore: 50,996,584
(Source: archives.gov)
It takes character to admit you were wrong about something. “I was wrong” can be hard words to speak for a lot of people.
As for the polling snafu, those on the Left that are preparing to play Last-Japanese-Soldier-In-The-Cave (especially in pillboxes like Daily Kos and Raw Story) have their excuse lined up: the polls weren’t wrong, because popular vote, and oh, #&$% the LA Times poll for giving Trump credibility all this time. When the revolution comes again, they will be first against the wall
Remember that Inauguration Day is still over 2 months away! I believe he’s not even technically the President-elect until the Electoral College votes, which happens sometime in December.
He should probably stay low profile during that time and work on the transition, assembling his cabinet, and mapping out the plan for the first 100 days. Then on Inauguration Day he needs to hit the ground running with a carefully chosen list of top priorities.
All three of them have been head-scratchingly gracious since last night. The cynic in me finds it a bit unnerving.
Funny. I hear Happy Days Are Here Again and maniacal laughter in my head…