Evan McMullin – For Many Of Us, Why in the World Not?

 

Evan McMullin@dickfrombrooklyn (oh, dear…or was it @ctlaw? I had already had a few beers) and I were talking with Rob Long last night at the meetup, and I was lamenting that there isn’t more discussion on the site about Evan McMullin. Today, I actually used the Ricochet search function (something I don’t usually do, though I am a champion Googler) and found that, in fact, there have been a couple of posts. Anyway, last night, Rob’s response to my lamentation was: “Write something!”

OK.

If you are a committed NeverHillary conservative and you are (i) NeverTrump (not voting for Rodham or Trump), or (ii) ReluctantlyTrump (holding your nose and voting for him) even though you think he has no chance of winning, or (iii) ReluctantlyTrump but live in a blue state where your vote doesn’t make a difference anyway, why not vote for McMullin – the only true conservative in the race?

Rather than refraining from voting, or voting for someone you don’t like and think can’t win, or voting for someone you don’t like in a state where your vote “doesn’t matter,” why not vote for the one who expresses to the world, “This is who we are?”

If every single person that met the descriptions (i), (ii), or (iii) voted for McMullin, wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?*

I’ve heard that there’s a possibility McMullin will win Utah. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?*

If McMullin won non-trivial numbers of voters in other states, making him more than a just a forgotten footnote in this election, wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?*

The only problem I see (I am NeverHillary/NeverTrump) in voting for McMullin as a write-in is a minor, procedural one. It’s ridiculous, but apparently, even though McMullin has named the delightfully-named Mindy Finn as his running mate, his legal running mate is another person — a friend of McMullin’s who acted as a placeholder in the paperwork. I can’t even remember the guy’s name. But I believe you can’t write in Finn’s name as Vice President — you have to write in this other guy’s name. Sheesh! Fortunately, this is an issue that some quick Googling could resolve. It’s easy enough to go to McMullin’s website and figure out how to vote for him in your state.

I do wish there was a groundswell of like-minded people willing to turn out and make a declaration, via their vote, that’s collectively less of a whimper and more of a shout.

It’s probably naïve, but I like to think that McMullin’s candidacy could be, as he suggests, the beginning of a new conservative (“Conservative?”) party in the US. I’m beginning to think this is something that needs to occur.

* When I say “wonderful thing,” I am obviously describing the perspective of someone who falls into categories (i), (ii), or (iii) above. I don’t need to hear from folks in the comments saying, “Of course it’s not a wonderful thing, because only Trump can fix!”

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  1. Lois Lane Coolidge
    Lois Lane
    @LoisLane

    Paul Dougherty:Republicans and conservatives tend to minimize the role of race, cultural identity, sexism, victimhhood et al. We do not factor into our overall vision for societal order these elements. Unfortunately, they are a part of the overall body politic. We don’t get to exclude them from discussion. Wanting them to go away or go our way will not happen by ignoring them and getting insulted that they are brought up. Battle the ideas out in the open.

    Yes, yes, yes, and YESSSSSsssssss!

    • #181
  2. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Lois Lane:

    Paul Dougherty:Republicans and conservatives tend to minimize the role of race, cultural identity, sexism, victimhhood et al. We do not factor into our overall vision for societal order these elements. Unfortunately, they are a part of the overall body politic. We don’t get to exclude them from discussion. Wanting them to go away or go our way will not happen by ignoring them and getting insulted that they are brought up. Battle the ideas out in the open.

    Yes, yes, yes, and YESSSSSsssssss!

    Is this a parody account?

    • #182
  3. Paul Dougherty Member
    Paul Dougherty
    @PaulDougherty

    Basil Fawlty:

    Lois Lane:

    Paul Dougherty:Republicans and conservatives tend to minimize the role of race, cultural identity, sexism, victimhhood et al. We do not factor into our overall vision for societal order these elements. Unfortunately, they are a part of the overall body politic. We don’t get to exclude them from discussion. Wanting them to go away or go our way will not happen by ignoring them and getting insulted that they are brought up. Battle the ideas out in the open.

    Yes, yes, yes, and YESSSSSsssssss!

    Is this a parody account?

    I don’t even know, anymore. I’d say no? All I can offer by way of explanation is that I feel like a chimp with a thoughtwave translator attached to my head and the words that print out on the screen are kind of what I want to say, but not always successfully.

     

    • #183
  4. Lois Lane Coolidge
    Lois Lane
    @LoisLane

    Paul Dougherty: I don’t even know, anymore. I’d say no? All I can offer by way of explanation is that I feel like a chimp with a thought wave translator attached to my head and the words that print out on the screen are kind of what I want to say, but not always successfully.

    Man, you handled that with such grace.  I can learn from you.  :)

    • #184
  5. Damocles Inactive
    Damocles
    @Damocles

    It seems his entire strategy seems to be a spoiler for Trump.  Therefore, no.

    It doesn’t surprise me though… I came to the conclusion a long while back that Conservatives are faithless allies who can’t be depended on.

    • #185
  6. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Damocles:It seems his entire strategy seems to be a spoiler for Trump. Therefore, no.

    It doesn’t surprise me though… I came to the conclusion a long while back that Conservatives are faithless allies who can’t be depended on.

    I’m not sure why you say that. The message of Trump is that the Republican party no longer wants anything to do with conservatives.  It is Republicans that can’t be depended on (if you are a conservative).

    If you are not a conservative, I can see why you might get angry that conservatives won’t follow the orders given by the authoritarian central planners that have taken over the Republican party.  Of course, I’ve been reliably informed that the problem with conservatives is that they believe stuff, and they need  abandon any beliefs immediately so we can become more like Democrats (though I continue to not understand why the country needs two unprincipled authoritarian central-planning political parties, but you can see why I am confused because I still believe stuff.)

     

    • #186
  7. Brian Clendinen Inactive
    Brian Clendinen
    @BrianClendinen

    Hoyacon:

    Johnny Dubya:

    Hoyacon:I’m probably approaching beating this horse to death, but am I the only one who sees McMullin’s intemperate comments about GOP racism as more or less disqualifying? I’ll admit to having considerable sensitivity in this area since it so plays into the lib narrative.

    Would you be so kind as to provide a link, or paste his quote(s) verbatim? Thanks!

    Interview with Byron York. Lame of me not to provide a link. Sorry.

    Were is the full speech and not excerpts? All I have is people saying the below quote is about Racism. I don’t actually see any quotes on what he said the previous couple of paragraphs to prove that this summary of the paragraphs subject matter is accurate.

    “I spent a lot of time in the Republican Party believing that that was something Democrats and liberals would say, [people] who weren’t interested in really understanding who we were,” McMullin said. “But I have to say in the time that I spent in the House of Representatives and leadership and in senior roles there, I realized that no, they’re actually right.”

     

    • #187
  8. Johnny Dubya Inactive
    Johnny Dubya
    @JohnnyDubya

    Brian Clendinen:

    Hoyacon:

    Johnny Dubya:

    Hoyacon: … but am I the only one who sees McMullin’s intemperate comments about GOP racism as more or less disqualifying?.

    Would you be so kind as to provide a link…

    Interview with Byron York. Lame of me not to provide a link. Sorry.

    Were is the full speech and not excerpts? All I have is people saying the below quote is about Racism. I don’t actually see any quotes on what he said the previous couple of paragraphs to prove that this summary of the paragraphs subject matter is accurate.

    “I spent a lot of time in the Republican Party believing that that was something Democrats and liberals would say, [people] who weren’t interested in really understanding who we were,” McMullin said. “But I have to say in the time that I spent in the House of Representatives and leadership and in senior roles there, I realized that no, they’re actually right.”

    It wasn’t a speech; it was an interview, and so much of the stuff about racism was in fact paraphrasing on the part of the interviewer/author.  If you take a snippet of the quote above and Google it, you should be able to find the interview.

    I would ask those who are enraged or offended by the quote above: He claims to have encountered this on Capitol Hill.  Are you saying he is (a) lying, or (b) telling the truth when he should have stayed quiet?

    • #188
  9. Umbra Fractus Inactive
    Umbra Fractus
    @UmbraFractus

    TeeJaw: Yeah, wonderful in how it would help Hillary by denying Utah’s electoral votes to the only candidate on the ballot who can stop her. Ricochet is, I believe, in the process of proving John O’Sullivan’s First Law of Politics. Any institution that is not explicitly conservative will become liberal over time. 

    Cheering on the only conservative in the race makes us not conservative?

    • #189
  10. Painter Jean Moderator
    Painter Jean
    @PainterJean

    I’m voting for McMullin, as he’s the only conservative in the race. After just reading David French’s account of the disgusting attacks directed at him and others who aren’t supporting Trump, I have no concerns about McMullin’s comments on race, because the alt- right is real.

    • #190
  11. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Painter Jean:I’m voting for McMullin, as he’s the only conservative in the race. After just reading David French’s account of the disgusting attacks directed at him and others who aren’t supporting Trump, I have no concerns about McMullin’s comments on race, because the alt- right is real.

    As real as the Trump thugs assaulting peaceful protesters at Trump campaign events?

    • #191
  12. jeannebodine Member
    jeannebodine
    @jeannebodine

    Lois Lane:

    Paul Dougherty:Republicans and conservatives tend to minimize the role of race, cultural identity, sexism, victimhhood et al. We do not factor into our overall vision for societal order these elements. Unfortunately, they are a part of the overall body politic. We don’t get to exclude them from discussion. Wanting them to go away or go our way will not happen by ignoring them and getting insulted that they are brought up. Battle the ideas out in the open.

    Yes, yes, yes, and YESSSSSsssssss!

    Yes, let’s have an honest conversation about race! And sexism! And cultural identity! What could go wrong? An idea so brilliant, it’s amazing that no one has ever suggested it before. Who can even remember the last time the words “race”, “sexism” or “cultural identity” were mentioned in the public square?

    • #192
  13. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Johnny Dubya: It wasn’t a speech; it was an interview, and so much of the stuff about racism was in fact paraphrasing on the part of the interviewer/author. If you take a snippet of the quote above and Google it, you should be able to find the interview.I would ask those who are enraged or offended by the quote above: He claims to have encountered this on Capitol Hill. Are you saying he is (a) lying, or (b) telling the truth when he should have stayed quiet?

    Well, having tried to make my peace with @lois-lane, I wanted to put this to bed, but apparently not.  The “paraphrasing” rationale has some truth, but it’s ultimately a red herring.  Is it really that hard to look at McMullin’s actual words?  In further response to @brianclendinen sensible question:

    1. Did McMullin say that racism was a deep problem in the GOP?
    2. Did McMullin approve of the characterization of racism in the GOP by Democrats/liberals?
    3. Did McMullin say that the problem was with the “whole party,” not just Trump?

    If one reads #22, above, the plain answer to all is “yes.” Let’s stop the bobbing and weaving, if that’s OK?

    If this is not that important in anyone’s view, by all means support him.  I actually admire his courage in coming forward to run.  But, after 193 posts, it’s time to stop equivocating about what he actually said.

     

    • #193
  14. Paul Dougherty Member
    Paul Dougherty
    @PaulDougherty

    jeannebodine:

    Lois Lane:

    Paul Dougherty:Republicans and conservatives tend to minimize the role of race, cultural identity, sexism, victimhhood et al. We do not factor into our overall vision for societal order these elements. Unfortunately, they are a part of the overall body politic. We don’t get to exclude them from discussion. Wanting them to go away or go our way will not happen by ignoring them and getting insulted that they are brought up. Battle the ideas out in the open.

    Yes, yes, yes, and YESSSSSsssssss!

    Yes, let’s have an honest conversation about race! And sexism! And cultural identity! What could go wrong? An idea so brilliant, it’s amazing that no one has ever suggested it before. Who can even remember the last time the words “race”, “sexism” or “cultural identity” were mentioned in the public square?



    Well, I feel pretty stupid. On reflection, I’ll demur to your course of action.

    • #194
  15. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Doctor Robert: Elections have consequences.

    So do primaries.

    • #195
  16. Painter Jean Moderator
    Painter Jean
    @PainterJean

    Basil Fawlty: As real as the Trump thugs assaulting peaceful protesters at Trump campaign events?

    I’m not quite sure what you’re referencing here (is it the O’Keefe videos? I haven’t seen them but I’ve heard about them), but regardless I don’t doubt what David French and others have said about the anti-Semitic and – yes — racist comments directed their way because they don’t support Trump. Ann Coulter wondering how many effing Jews were in the country, her comments about Catholics….it’s nasty stuff. I don’t remember this sort of thing being so prominent in past campaigns. My own theory (and I don’t posit it as the only factor) is that a crude and vulgar candidate emboldens the crude and the vulgar, and brings them out from underneath their rocks, and so that’s why we’re seeing and hearing about the alt-right.

    I’m delighted to have the opportunity to vote for McMullin.

    • #196
  17. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Painter Jean:I’m voting for McMullin, as he’s the only conservative in the race. After just reading David French’s account of the disgusting attacks directed at him and others who aren’t supporting Trump, I have no concerns about McMullin’s comments on race, because the alt- right is real.

    Unfortunately, as discussed to a significant degree here, McMullin’s comments went well beyond the relevant portion of the alt.right–to the extent that I’m baffled that it’s still an issue.  See above.

     

    • #197
  18. Lois Lane Coolidge
    Lois Lane
    @LoisLane

    Hoyacon: Well, having tried to make my peace with @lois-lane

    We are at peace, Hoyacon.  I think we process some statements a man made quite differently, and that is fine.  I respect that you found these comments offensive and feel they were disqualifying for a candidate for the presidency.  There is nothing in those sentiments that puts you and me at war!  I do not require us to be in lockstep!  Nor do I question your principles or motivations.  We have a deep difference of opinion.  That’s all.

    I would say on this issue, however, that I have not bobbed and weaved around any of those comments you find offensive.  I explained in various posts why I feel those comments are more right than I ever would have thought a year ago, and I want to take them seriously to fix a problem I once denied was there.  A few people then mocked those positions, but that’s okay, too.  We’re all adults.  I think these conversations are healthy for the future, or I wouldn’t participate in them now.

    I guess I should also make it clear that I don’t think you or me or anyone else on this thread is a racist.  I have no reason to think this even though I now believe racism is a problem in the party.

    I wish you well.  The truth is, if we ever met, I’d buy you a beer.  And pizza.

    • #198
  19. Johnny Dubya Inactive
    Johnny Dubya
    @JohnnyDubya

    @hoyacon:  You didn’t answer my question.  Do you dispute that McMullin saw what he claimed to have seen on Capitol Hill, i.e., some in the party exhibiting racism?  Or do you think he’s telling the truth but should have kept quiet?

    • #199
  20. Lois Lane Coolidge
    Lois Lane
    @LoisLane

    Also, for people who would like to vote for Evan, you can check out this map.  You need to know how to do the Write In option for your state.   In some you have to write in the VP candidate as well, and since his running mate was not chosen until after many filing deadlines, that VP is most likely Nathan Johnson.

    https://www.evanmcmullin.com/how_to_vote_for_evan

    • #200
  21. James Of England Inactive
    James Of England
    @JamesOfEngland

    Lois Lane:Also, for people who would like to vote for Evan, you can check out this map. You need to know how to do the Write In option for your state. In some you have to write in the VP candidate as well, and since his running mate was not chosen until after many filing deadlines, that VP is most likely Nathan Johnson.

    https://www.evanmcmullin.com/how_to_vote_for_evan

    If you get it wrong, or already got it wrong, you might be comforted by the fact that although, unlike Johnson, McMullin has a small but non-trivial chance of being President (about 5% of Trump’s chances), there is no chance that the charming Mrs. Finn will be VP.

    • #201
  22. Adam Freedman Member
    Adam Freedman
    @AdamFreedman

    I’ll be writing in McMullin in NY.   Hilary is going to win the state no matter what I do, and I wouldn’t throw away a symbolic vote on Trump.   Or Johnson.

    • #202
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