A Tsunami Isn’t “Coming.” It’s Here

 

It’s probably unfair, even inaccurate, to describe current political trends in the US as a “tsunami” unless of course, you’re a self-proclaimed “progressive” Democrat. Tsunamis are large and highly destructive ocean waves, often caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic disruptions. Nobody asks for nor wants to experience one, perhaps unless you’re the actual tsunami. Politically speaking, of course.

In the minds of many Americans, the coming tsunami isn’t destructive at all, despite media attempts to portray it as such. It’s restorative. And there is plenty of evidence that Democrats asked for it, starting with the consequences of an open southern border, rising crime rates amidst soft-on-crime and defund-the-police strategies, weakness abroad, lingering COVID mandates, teacher unions prioritized over students, and raging inflation at home.

Except the tsunami is underway. There’s no stopping it now.

Elections and voter registration trends in places like Pennsylvania and North Carolina – which have open gubernatorial and US Senate races this fall – portend a large political realignment in Congress and local and judicial races. Talk about “climate change.”

Reuters:

Republicans are registering formerly Democratic voters at four times the rate that Democrats are making the reverse conversion in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, a warning sign for Democrats as they try to keep control of the U.S. Congress.

The Republican gains in Pennsylvania, home to a critical U.S. Senate race, follow a pattern seen in other states that could have competitive contests in November’s elections, as high levels of disapproval with President Joe Biden’s handling of his job are helping narrow the long-held advantage held by Democrats in numbers of registered voters. . .

In North Carolina, where a tight Senate race is expected due to the retirement of Republican Senator Richard Burr, Republicans so far this year have picked up three Democratic converts for every voter that Democrats have poached, according to state election board data. Throughout 2021, the Republican advantage was about half that.

In Florida and Nevada, the numbers of registered Republicans rose in the first few months of the year while the ranks of Democrats declined modestly.

 

Reuters graphic

Meanwhile, as reported by the conservative website uncoverdc.com, several local elections saw seats flip from Democratic to Republican. Even in so-called “nonpartisan” local races, such as Norman, Oklahoma’s runoff mayoral election, policies associated with Democrats – like defunding the police – resulted in upsets. Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, the Sooner State’s third-largest city with a population of about 128,000, and one of more Democratic-friendly areas there. It is the original hometown of US Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), but don’t blame them for that. Uncoverdc.com:

…former Norman Safety Manager Larry Heikkila “won the Norman mayoral seat in the Tuesday night runoff election over incumbent Breea Clark.” According to unofficial results, he won over 53 percent of the vote. In the Feb. 8 election, he received about 36 percent of the votes, with Clark receiving 32 percent. The win is significant because it represents a sea of change in politics for the city because of calls to defund the police amid rising crime rates. Two years ago, Democrats controlled city council seats and the mayor’s office. Now the democrats hold a “small majority” and lost the mayoral seat. Heikkila says he is not a “career politician.”

School board seats also flipped. Again, uncoverdc.com:

In Springfield, MO., two anti-CRT (critical race theory) candidates unseated incumbents. Kelli Byrne and Steve Mikoski were both opposed by the teacher’s union and the local chamber of commerce. Two conservatives won school board seats in the Rockwood school district, St. Louis County’s largest public school system serving over 22,000 students. Izzy Imig and Jessica Laurent Clark won with support from conservative groups like Moms for Liberty.

Katie Lyczak also won a seat in the Wentzville school district. The district is West of St. Louis and serves about 17,000 students. The Lee’s Summit Missouri school board also racked up two conservative seats. “Anti-CRT moms” Heather Eslick and Jennifer Foley won seats.

And a judicial race in Wisconsin joined the fun. As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

With support from free-spending conservative groups and endorsements from major Republicans, Waukesha County Judge Maria Lazar easily defeated incumbent Judge Lori Kornblum for a seat on the Court of Appeals for District II.

Kornblum, 65, a former Milwaukee County prosecutor living in Mequon, was appointed to the Waukesha-based seat last year and began work there in January. Lazar, 58, of Brookfield, had announced last year she would seek the job via election. She was elected to the circuit court in 2015, after five years at the state Department of Justice and 20 years in private practice.

Lazar took 158,290 votes, to Kornblum’s 131,863, good for a 55% to 45% margin of victory, according to complete unofficial results. 

Lazar’s win was the second time in two years a conservative-backed challenger defeated an incumbent appellate judge appointed by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat. Last year, Shelley Grogan, a law clerk to conservative Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley, beat Jeffrey Davis, who represented corporate clients at a major law firm and had served on the Court of Appeals for nearly two years.

Southeast Wisconsin – usually reliably or leaning Democratic territory – may be the week’s story. Republicans flipped County Executive posts in Democratic Portage and, for the first time, Kenosha County. And more.

Of course, the tsunami became evident last November in Virginia, with the GOP wins of the state’s top three elected officials – Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears, and Attorney General Jason Miyares – along with capturing a majority in the House of Delegates.

The tsunami shows no sign of abating. In fact, it appears to be growing.

Climb aboard, hoist the sail, catch the wind, and enjoy the ride.

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  1. DrewInWisconsin, Oik! Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik!
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):
    I mean, why should Republicans ever change if they can still win by not changing?

    Which is why I wish the Democrats hadn’t self-destructed so obviously. Republicans probably don’t need to even try. And in fact they’re behaving as if their win is guaranteed.

    If they felt a little fear that they might not win, they might be compelled to come up with an agenda.

    • #61
  2. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):
    Which “traditional republican” goals? Many leaders of the Party run on great positions and then support policies that undermine that. Bush immigration policy anyone? Many go on about liberty and vote for bills that increase the scope of the administrative state. Romney is a guy that pretty much personifies one flavor of “traditional republican” and in addition to all the other damage he’s done he just helped make sure that Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court.

    Many conservatives on Ricochet everywhere talk about great, abstract positions but refuse to support the specific, concrete steps that would advance those positions.

    There you go.

    Although it may be perhaps most disappointing here.

    • #62
  3. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    I think the view popular among many here that Republicans are as bad Democrats is demonstrably, objectively wrong.

    I’ll go even farther. Republicans are worse than Democrats. Democrats are, at least, predictably against us. Democrats stab us in the front. Republicans stab us in the back.

    Better the enemy who makes his intentions clear than the betrayer who double-crosses you.

    The former you can confront directly. The latter is a snake.

     

    Okay. Well, you’re hardly alone, Drew. Ms. Rubin, Mr. Kristol, the whole gang at The Bulwark, our own self-appointed “Reagan Republican,” and a lot of other free-thinking renegades join you in endorsing Democrats over Republicans. It’s not how I roll, but you do you. You’re in good company.

     

    • #63
  4. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):
    Also, refusal to participate is a path, albeit an unlikely one, to change.

    Sure it is. Change in our election laws, change in the number of Justices on the Supreme Court, change in the voting rights of illegal immigrants, change in that pesky filibuster. Real, lasting, transformative change.

    Of course, there are other ways to influence the Republican Party without abandoning it, and without handing the government to the Democrats. Given that you think not voting for Republicans is an “unlikely” path to change, and given that it’s quite a reliable way to bring about sweeping Democrat victories, perhaps we should look at more positive approaches to moving the Republican Party in the direction we’d like it to go.

    • #64
  5. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):
    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution?

    Frankly, I’ve given up. I know nothing I can say or do will have any effect on the corrupt, dysfunctional, and foolish Republican Party. The party is run by wealthy donors and political operatives who have no interest in my opinion.

    My solution is, therefore, is to give up on the Republican Party and take a spiritual lesson in this. Politics, by their very nature, are a worldly matter. There is no redemption or spiritual progression in involvement in politics. My frustration with politics should serve only to remind me not to get too worked up over worldly matters, and instead focus on my personal growth, immediate family, and pets. Also, to buy food and ammo whenever possible and keep stocked because politics like our current politics have historically had only one conclusion.

    I can’t really say I blame you but I am not there yet.

    • #65
  6. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    • #66
  7. DrewInWisconsin, Oik! Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik!
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    I think the view popular among many here that Republicans are as bad Democrats is demonstrably, objectively wrong.

    I’ll go even farther. Republicans are worse than Democrats. Democrats are, at least, predictably against us. Democrats stab us in the front. Republicans stab us in the back.

    Better the enemy who makes his intentions clear than the betrayer who double-crosses you.

    The former you can confront directly. The latter is a snake.

    Okay. Well, you’re hardly alone, Drew. Ms. Rubin, Mr. Kristol, the whole gang at The Bulwark, our own self-appointed “Reagan Republican,” and a lot of other free-thinking renegades join you in endorsing Democrats over Republicans. It’s not how I roll, but you do you. You’re in good company.

    Okay, you know what I meant, but now you’re just being a snot.

    • #67
  8. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    • #68
  9. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    Did you ever see The Burning Bed?

     

    • #69
  10. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    Did you ever see The Burning Bed?

     

    Ah back to the original analog.  That would be option 2,  If Republicans are the abusive husband then you are voting for Democrats which is essentially taking poison.  The Democrats will win.  Everything you believe in will be undermined and eroded more quickly eventually leading to the collapse of the country.   I suppose you get the joy of watching the Republicans suffer.  This was NT solution to Trump.

    • #70
  11. Tyrion Lannister Inactive
    Tyrion Lannister
    @TyrionLannister

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    Did you ever see The Burning Bed?

     

    Ah back to the original analog. That would be option 2, If Republicans are the abusive husband then you are voting for Democrats which is essentially taking poison. The Democrats will win. Everything you believe in will be undermined and eroded more quickly eventually leading to the collapse of the country. I suppose you get the joy of watching the Republicans suffer. This was NT solution to Trump.

    I agree.  I myself almost pulled the lever for Clinton in 2016 to spite Trump, but reason overcame anger.  

    The reality is the Republican Party as-imperfect as it is- is the only option in a binary choice that advances at least some of what conservatives purport to prefer.  I felt that voting against Trump was a vote to cut my nose to spite my face.  I voted for him with caution in 2016, and enthusiastically in 2020 because he actually governed much as a strong conservative would (given his record I didn’t think that would happen).   

    NTs basically said a pox on both houses (in some cases joining the enemy).  I’d rather support the party and push for change, and try to move moderates to the “right”.  

    • #71
  12. Tyrion Lannister Inactive
    Tyrion Lannister
    @TyrionLannister

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    I think the view popular among many here that Republicans are as bad Democrats is demonstrably, objectively wrong.

    I’ll go even farther. Republicans are worse than Democrats. Democrats are, at least, predictably against us. Democrats stab us in the front. Republicans stab us in the back.

    Better the enemy who makes his intentions clear than the betrayer who double-crosses you.

    The former you can confront directly. The latter is a snake.

    Okay. Well, you’re hardly alone, Drew. Ms. Rubin, Mr. Kristol, the whole gang at The Bulwark, our own self-appointed “Reagan Republican,” and a lot of other free-thinking renegades join you in endorsing Democrats over Republicans. It’s not how I roll, but you do you. You’re in good company.

    Okay, you know what I meant, but now you’re just being a snot.

    There was definitely some snark there, I admit I laughed.  

    • #72
  13. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    I think the view popular among many here that Republicans are as bad Democrats is demonstrably, objectively wrong.

    I’ll go even farther. Republicans are worse than Democrats. Democrats are, at least, predictably against us. Democrats stab us in the front. Republicans stab us in the back.

    Better the enemy who makes his intentions clear than the betrayer who double-crosses you.

    The former you can confront directly. The latter is a snake.

    Okay. Well, you’re hardly alone, Drew. Ms. Rubin, Mr. Kristol, the whole gang at The Bulwark, our own self-appointed “Reagan Republican,” and a lot of other free-thinking renegades join you in endorsing Democrats over Republicans. It’s not how I roll, but you do you. You’re in good company.

    Okay, you know what I meant, but now you’re just being a snot.

    For crying out loud, Drew. Given your general litany of hopelessness and despair, of “nothing will ever change,” of “Republicans are worse than Democrats,” what do you want?

    Want me to say “Yes, you’re right, let’s let the Democrats be in charge for a few years, ’cause that’ll teach America to vote right?” Or do you just want me to mope around and agree that it’s all hopeless? That there’s no point in supporting the party on the right, because it isn’t far enough to the right to suit your tastes? What?

    Yes, America is in a hard spot. Yes, the Republicans are too often cowardly, too often politicians first, patriots second. Yes, they frustrate me. Yes, the government keeps growing and the culture is under assault. Yes, there’s a real, legitimate question as to whether the republic will survive.

    But, as I’ve said dozens of times, (a) I think there’s a real long-term existential danger in letting the Democrats run wild, and (b) I think failing to support the Republican Party risks bringing that about. No one here has ever responded to that view in any thoughtful way, ever explained how we were going to get from 50/50 Republican/Democrat to some conservative non-Republican majority without going through years of liberal Democrat majorities.

    So I suck it up and support what I believe is the best hope we’ve got.

    Forgive me being a broken record on this (or don’t; I don’t care). I raised six kids, and none of them are whiners. I have no sympathy for whining.

    • #73
  14. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    perhaps we should look at more positive approaches to moving the Republican Party in the direction we’d like it to go.

    Like? And I mean, suggest something other than whatever “we” have been doing for the last 25 years because that hasn’t worked.

    • #74
  15. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    Did you ever see The Burning Bed?

     

    Ah back to the original analog. That would be option 2, If Republicans are the abusive husband then you are voting for Democrats which is essentially taking poison. The Democrats will win. Everything you believe in will be undermined and eroded more quickly eventually leading to the collapse of the country. I suppose you get the joy of watching the Republicans suffer. This was NT solution to Trump.

    It would not be “taking” poison, it’d be feeding THEM poison.  Big difference.

     

     

    • #75
  16. DrewInWisconsin, Oik! Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik!
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    I have no sympathy for whining.

    Then why are you whining at me?

    • #76
  17. DrewInWisconsin, Oik! Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik!
    @DrewInWisconsin

    You accused me of being a Democrat supporter. Nothing could be further from the truth. But I gather you’re big mad that I won’t join in the rah-rah chorus for the Republican party after they have spent 30 years alienating conservatives with their broken promises.

    • #77
  18. Tyrion Lannister Inactive
    Tyrion Lannister
    @TyrionLannister

    Solutions to move the party and legislation in the direction you prefer:  

    -vote Republican, and get your friends and family to vote Republican.  It’s easy to forget our choice is binary.  You may not care for the party or a particular candidate, but you will be governed by one of them.  If you have to, support the lesser of two evils.  It’s not fun, but it can surprise you (I was pleasantly surprised by Trump).  
    -focus more time on local elections.  Voting for your school board isn’t sexy like the Presidency, but they are the front line on a lot of this stuff and have tremendous control over certain aspects of local government.  Mayors can do a lot more than people think.  Governors can do a lot (see FL)  
    -at the national level try to get an amendment passed to return senate voting to the states as the constitution envisioned- this will return some power to the states.  
    -move away from deep blue areas to purple ones, where your vote matters.  
    -try to elect the most conservative person who can win.  This is a two way street.  You hold your nose and vote for the nominee you don’t like, and you expect the same in return when your favorite is on the ballot.  
    -spend more time on local elections, but don’t neglect national ones.  Donate what you reasonably can.  Maybe that’s time.  Maybe that’s money.  
    -attend caucuses if your state has them- you can meet people and influence voting more than you think. 

    • #78
  19. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Tyrion Lannister (View Comment):
    The reality is the Republican Party as-imperfect as it is- is the only option in a binary choice that advances at least some of what conservatives purport to prefer.  I felt that voting against Trump was a vote to cut my nose to spite my face.  I voted for him with caution in 2016, and enthusiastically in 2020 because he actually governed much as a strong conservative would (given his record I didn’t think that would happen).

    I sat out 2016.  Trump was never really in danger of loosing my state and I expected him to be democrat lite.   He exceeded my expectations policy wise; however, I felt he made many poor moves stylistically.  I agree I voted for him enthusiastically in 2020.  He was the first president this century that didn’t start a new military conflict and found a way of engineering major peace deals in the middle east. 

    • #79
  20. DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax)
    @DonG

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    A huge Republican win in November is a huge win. Life isn’t a fairy tale, and the enemies of the Founder’s vision won’t go away, won’t stop chipping away at the foundations of our country. They’re here to stay, a cost of people being free to hold and express different views.

    I have a high expectation.  Should I do a post on how the Reagan presidency was a failure?

    • #80
  21. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Tyrion Lannister (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    You mean, I suspect, that it won’t arrest our decline, change our path from generally downward to generally upward. That might be true, I don’t know (and you don’t either). But it will almost certainly slow our rate of decline. There aren’t any guarantees in life: slowing the rate of our decline might be the best we can achieve, or the best we can do for now.

    Show me a Republican party that puts America first. I don’t see it. Other than a handful of Republicans, regularly smeared by the establishment wing, and hamstringed whenever possible, the rest of the party just doesn’t give a rat’s ass about America. They’ll hold hands with the Democrats to send taxpayer money all around the globe, but won’t lift a finger to relieve suffering at home. And we’re suffering.

    The GOP makes a lot of promises when they’re not in power, but the moment they get into power they break every promise. The differences we see in the parties are artificial constructs to be used for fundraising purposes.

    I think your assessment is unfair. What percentage of the country do you suppose holds your (and likely my) views? I’d peg it at less than 30%. Maybe lower. We are a minority. The Republican Party isn’t betraying a silent majority that they trick into voting for them- that majority doesn’t exist. The promises I see being made are candidates being relatively conservative compared to the Democrat party. I point this out all the time- you can primary Susan Collins with Trump, but then you lose tat seat to the side that hates you. I don’t like Collins, but I’d rather have her than the liberal alternative.

    The reality is we have to make common cause with a lot of moderates in the middle to win nationally and that means we aren’t going to be getting our ideal candidate often. My ideal is to the right of Goldwater, Paul, and Reagan. It’s hard to convince the middle to vote for that, even rarely. To win a national election you need a bigger tent than the other side. That means some flexibility in message. I’d love to have most of the country share my views. Unfortunately that isn’t reality.

    Our energy is better spent convincing the electorate to adopt our views, I’m not interested in destroying the GOP and handing the keys to the government to the Democrats. I’d rather reform it while convincing people we are right.

    I agreee!!

    • #81
  22. Raxxalan Member
    Raxxalan
    @Raxxalan

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    Did you ever see The Burning Bed?

     

    Ah back to the original analog. That would be option 2, If Republicans are the abusive husband then you are voting for Democrats which is essentially taking poison. The Democrats will win. Everything you believe in will be undermined and eroded more quickly eventually leading to the collapse of the country. I suppose you get the joy of watching the Republicans suffer. This was NT solution to Trump.

    It would not be “taking” poison, it’d be feeding THEM poison. Big difference.

    I think the analogy has broken down.  It is an election you have basically 4 choices: 

    1. Do nothing i.e. don’t vote – If enough people do this Democrats win.  Country goes to hell in a handbasket.
    2. Vote 3rd Party (effectively the same as 1)
    3. Vote Democrat – Definitely Spites the Republicans and the Country still goes to hell in a handbasket.
    4. Vote Republican – Democrats lose and we have a chance of keeping the Country from going to hell.  Even if it does go to hell probably no handbasket.

     

    • #82
  23. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    So I suck it up and support what I believe is the best hope we’ve got.

    Forgive me being a broken record on this (or don’t; I don’t care). I raised six kids, and none of them are whiners. I have no sympathy for whining.

    I could fairly comfortably coast out the rest of my life.  I am ready to wage Jihad for the future.  I love my country, my local community, and my family.  I have 7 grandkids whose future I must protect.  

    • #83
  24. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):
    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    “You know, it’s really my fault he hits me. If I were a better wife, he wouldn’t be this way.”

    That’s pretty grim. What is your solution? In the above scenario the solution is to leave and get as far away as fast as possible. This situation is somewhat different. You have only three choices. First do nothing in which case you will die. Second take poison which will kill you quickly. Third take medicine which may kill you anyway but you have a chance of survival even if it is slim. The question is what is the path you chose to follow.

    You’re missing the obvious option.

     

    Please enlighten me?

    Did you ever see The Burning Bed?

     

    Ah back to the original analog. That would be option 2, If Republicans are the abusive husband then you are voting for Democrats which is essentially taking poison. The Democrats will win. Everything you believe in will be undermined and eroded more quickly eventually leading to the collapse of the country. I suppose you get the joy of watching the Republicans suffer. This was NT solution to Trump.

    It would not be “taking” poison, it’d be feeding THEM poison. Big difference.

    I think the analogy has broken down. It is an election you have basically 4 choices:

    1. Do nothing i.e. don’t vote – If enough people do this Democrats win. Country goes to hell in a handbasket.
    2. Vote 3rd Party (effectively the same as 1)
    3. Vote Democrat – Definitely Spites the Republicans and the Country still goes to hell in a handbasket.
    4. Vote Republican – Democrats lose and we have a chance of keeping the Country from going to hell. Even if it does go to hell probably no handbasket.

    Well that’s no good, if I’m going to hell I insist on a handbasket!

    • #84
  25. DrewInWisconsin, Oik! Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik!
    @DrewInWisconsin

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Well that’s no good, if I’m going to hell I insist on a handbasket!

    We have the best handbaskets! The finest! Everyone says so! You have never seen such fine handbaskets!

    • #85
  26. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    I think the view popular among many here that Republicans are as bad Democrats is demonstrably, objectively wrong.

    I’ll go even farther. Republicans are worse than Democrats. Democrats are, at least, predictably against us. Democrats stab us in the front. Republicans stab us in the back.

    Better the enemy who makes his intentions clear than the betrayer who double-crosses you.

    The former you can confront directly. The latter is a snake.

     

    And a betrayer. 

    • #86
  27. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    In the midst of this, let’s give Glenn Youngkin credit for not turning out to be a DIABLO and actually following through on his campaign promises. (And remember some people saying he was too Trumpy).  This is the way. If you want to regain trust, this is they way.

    And at the same time, let’s Remember that Mitt Romney and Spencer Cox are absolutely DIABLOs and there are far too many like them in the current GOP.

    • #87
  28. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    • Do nothing i.e. don’t vote – If enough people do this Democrats win.  Country goes to hell in a handbasket.
    • Vote 3rd Party (effectively the same as 1)
    • Vote Democrat – Definitely Spites the Republicans and the Country still goes to hell in a handbasket.
    • Vote Republican – Democrats lose and we have a chance of keeping the Country from going to hell.  Even if it does go to hell probably no handbasket.

    You cannot ignore that when the Republicans won in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2016 they spent most of their time and effort in Congress helping the Democrats weave that handbasket.

    • #88
  29. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik! (View Comment):

    Republican voters are like abused spouses who keep returning to the guy anyway. He beats me constantly, but he really does love me!

    And THIS time it will be different! I just know it!

    I’m thrilled to pieces with the efforts of Scott Pressler, et al, in getting people to change their registration from D to R. And I’m thrilled to pieces when I see people on Twitter announcing that they’ve changed their registration to R after suffering at the hands of Ds these past two years. But every time I see that tweet, I think “welcome to the broken hearts club”.

    I’m also happy at the prediction that there will be a wipeout in November. 

    But really … what changes are we expecting (or hoping for) if that happens? Will the corruption in DC abate? Will teachers unions have less influence? Will Faucci get fired? Will the revolving door between the FDA and pharma get slammed shut? Will the march towards wokeness slow down in our military? will the supply chain get magically repaired? Any more drilling on Fed land? Will the southern border be secured? Will we see any accountability exacted towards the DOJ? Or the many people who have lied to Congress?

    I hold no such illusions. 

     

     

    • #89
  30. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    In the midst of this, let’s give Glenn Youngkin credit for not turning out to be a DIABLO and actually following through on his campaign promises. (And remember some people saying he was too Trumpy). This is the way. If you want to regain trust, this is they way.

    And at the same time, let’s Remember that Mitt Romney and Spencer Cox are absolutely DIABLOs and there are far too many like them in the current GOP.

    On the other hand, Eric Adams seems to be a disappointment.

    • #90
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