I just read your post this morning about more Americans seeing Trump as more physically and mentally fit to be president than Biden. I mean, how? Trust me, I have concerns about Biden's age, but Trump is only four years his junior. Yes, Biden has gaffes, but Trump's public appearances are unhinged, he almost sounds like a caricature. And, physically more fit? Trump is obese, also tripped down the stairs of AF1, likely couldn't ride a bike, and outside of golf, engages in zero physical activity. I'm just really confused how a good amount of the public sees Trump as both more mentally and physically fit when there's quite a bit of evidence to suggest otherwise.
Hi Chris, I'm wondering what you think of the following graph/survey that's been going around, showing that 12th grade boys are increasingly conservative and diverging from their increasingly liberal young female counterparts. The graph shows about 65% of 12th grade boy identifying as conservative, but moderates are excluded--so I'm also not sure what is the percentage overall who identify as conservative. https://texags.com/forums/16/topics/3375939
For some time now, I have heard and seen how CNN has been building up Kaitlan Collins as its next big news star. With that known, why would CNN set up Collins in an absolute no-win situation with Trump in prime time? The lowest point was Trump insulting Collins to her face and the audience laughing and applauding the insult. Unless Collins has already signed a new contract, if I'm her agent, subjecting her to that (bleep)show would have just driven up her price to renew.
I understand all of the criticism of CNN for giving Trump another National platform under the guise of “journalism”. What I don’t really understand though, given his behavior at the Town Hall, is how it helps him in any way. Isn’t a large part of his problem in a General Election the fact that he is so unappealing to Dems and independents given his behavior? That he can’t control himself, lacks a coherent temperament, and cares more about airing grievances than governing? How does public displays of boorish behavior, complete with sexual assault jokes and election denialism, among other things, help him expand past his base?
This has been my concern as well. It’s a cultish, boorish freak show. Trump will never ever change and he gets covered due to being a former president and a presidential candidate. I fail to see how this helps anyone but himself and his cult followers. Trump incited an insurrection amongst so many other behaviors that are not only not presidential but un American. He is a disgrace to this country and does not deserve the oxygen from the media. IF he is to be on air, it should not be live at all. Let the fact checking begin so things are not wildly being said and the moderator/host isn’t ambushed and over run.
Sure but in his second term I’m sure they could spin that they have come around - especially if he racks up another indictment or conviction between now and inauguration - not saying this is likely but sort of seems like a plausible backup plan for moderate R’s to get rid of him for good if he does win
You are probably right but I’m just hopeful that more would maybe take the chance knowing he can’t run again and with less opportunities for publicity his attacks would mean less - also I think it would be funny if he was elected and impeached right away - I guess he can prevent this scenario entirely by picking MTG as his running mate though
For “got questions”: In the. 2022 midterms, I was disappointed and just a LITTLE surprised that 4 Republican senators who were considered maybe SOMEWHAT vulnerable all cruised to easy re-election (Grassley IA, Rubio FL, Johnson WI, Lee UT via a credible independent). What gored me though is that all 4 voted NO on ALL consequential legislation in the last congress: bipartisan infrastructure, COVID relief, bipartisan gun control, IRA. Even though in that list (among many other things) were reasonable measures to incentivize a move to green energy. Why did they pay no political price for their Nay votes? Blind partisan loyalty?
Crazy Johnson (Wisconsin) won because the Dems put up s stone cold loser. Had his primary rival run against Johnson there'd be another Dem in the Senate.
Hey Chris, my name is Michael DeNicola I have been impressed by your writings, my name is Mike DeNicola, I was wondering what you think the default odds are, I personally think its unlikely and would say 20 percent, but that's higher than zero.
I read an article on your old stomping grounds about a judge ruling a ban of handgun sales to 19-20 year olds as unconstitutional because that wasn’t a restriction when the amendment was written.
Originalist arguments like this seem to be begging for new constitutional amendments. To my (admittedly liberal) mind, it seems obvious the problem IS the constitution.
I know it’s not realistic in this political climate, but why doesn’t it even get discussed? Why are we so resistant to change something that we’ve changed before?
I really appreciate your post, "We are laughing ourselves to political death." You nailed it with the cruelty that is supported, adored, and perfected by Donald Trump. It is what probably upsets me the most about it and watching him campaign. His total lack of empathy to others, even those who support him. As you said, he is transactional.
But, you also said that when others tried to be cruel, it backfired because Trump is just better at it. What do you think this means for the future of politics? Is this how Josh Hawley or Tom Cotton win, by being meaner than Trump? This is just so depressing, how can there be any civil debates and discourse that solves some real problems that we have? Tough to have answers, but he has shown how to win and lose on the biggest stage. How do you see future politicians acting?
Hey Chris — You and I are both from Connecticut. We grew up at the same time, went to college in the DC area (different George universities), then stayed in DC to start careers and get married and raise kids. What do you miss most about the Nutmeg State, and what do you not miss at all?
Love the mailbag. I need to know more about the $10 milkshake. Was it just milk and ice cream? Did it taste good? Would you pay $10 again?
My other question: No one seems to want Biden or Trump to run again. Given voter dissatisfaction, if the Libertarian party or another third party nominated a credible candidate (say Johnson/Weld but without the Aleppo gaffe), what do you think their ceiling would be popular vote wise? 5 percent? 10 percent?
Hi Chris,
I just read your post this morning about more Americans seeing Trump as more physically and mentally fit to be president than Biden. I mean, how? Trust me, I have concerns about Biden's age, but Trump is only four years his junior. Yes, Biden has gaffes, but Trump's public appearances are unhinged, he almost sounds like a caricature. And, physically more fit? Trump is obese, also tripped down the stairs of AF1, likely couldn't ride a bike, and outside of golf, engages in zero physical activity. I'm just really confused how a good amount of the public sees Trump as both more mentally and physically fit when there's quite a bit of evidence to suggest otherwise.
Hi Chris, I'm wondering what you think of the following graph/survey that's been going around, showing that 12th grade boys are increasingly conservative and diverging from their increasingly liberal young female counterparts. The graph shows about 65% of 12th grade boy identifying as conservative, but moderates are excluded--so I'm also not sure what is the percentage overall who identify as conservative. https://texags.com/forums/16/topics/3375939
Interesting question!!!
Did CNN do the right thing in holding that Wednesday Town Hall with you-know-who?
CNN brass will get a bunch of FOXite crossovers for the night. Then after...nothing.
Selling one's soul for an evening of perhaps more eyes is short-term stupid/country-selling.
For some time now, I have heard and seen how CNN has been building up Kaitlan Collins as its next big news star. With that known, why would CNN set up Collins in an absolute no-win situation with Trump in prime time? The lowest point was Trump insulting Collins to her face and the audience laughing and applauding the insult. Unless Collins has already signed a new contract, if I'm her agent, subjecting her to that (bleep)show would have just driven up her price to renew.
Hey Chris!
I understand all of the criticism of CNN for giving Trump another National platform under the guise of “journalism”. What I don’t really understand though, given his behavior at the Town Hall, is how it helps him in any way. Isn’t a large part of his problem in a General Election the fact that he is so unappealing to Dems and independents given his behavior? That he can’t control himself, lacks a coherent temperament, and cares more about airing grievances than governing? How does public displays of boorish behavior, complete with sexual assault jokes and election denialism, among other things, help him expand past his base?
This has been my concern as well. It’s a cultish, boorish freak show. Trump will never ever change and he gets covered due to being a former president and a presidential candidate. I fail to see how this helps anyone but himself and his cult followers. Trump incited an insurrection amongst so many other behaviors that are not only not presidential but un American. He is a disgrace to this country and does not deserve the oxygen from the media. IF he is to be on air, it should not be live at all. Let the fact checking begin so things are not wildly being said and the moderator/host isn’t ambushed and over run.
What are your thoughts on Trump's town hall AND the audience?
If Trump wins - what is stopping the “establishment” from impeaching him early in his term and then moving on?
Unfortunately, the ReTrumplican'ts proved party is more important than country.
Sure but in his second term I’m sure they could spin that they have come around - especially if he racks up another indictment or conviction between now and inauguration - not saying this is likely but sort of seems like a plausible backup plan for moderate R’s to get rid of him for good if he does win
3 Republicans stood up to the Sessionist-in-Chief, two were primaries.
Don't see there being any cojones for other ReTrumplican'ts to step up.
You are probably right but I’m just hopeful that more would maybe take the chance knowing he can’t run again and with less opportunities for publicity his attacks would mean less - also I think it would be funny if he was elected and impeached right away - I guess he can prevent this scenario entirely by picking MTG as his running mate though
I believe that neither President Biden nor House Speaker McCarthy will retreat from their positions
concerning the debt ceiling deadline. If that is true, who will suffer the greater political fallout?
Uncle Joe will take the weight since most Americans have no idea who MyKevin is.
For “got questions”: In the. 2022 midterms, I was disappointed and just a LITTLE surprised that 4 Republican senators who were considered maybe SOMEWHAT vulnerable all cruised to easy re-election (Grassley IA, Rubio FL, Johnson WI, Lee UT via a credible independent). What gored me though is that all 4 voted NO on ALL consequential legislation in the last congress: bipartisan infrastructure, COVID relief, bipartisan gun control, IRA. Even though in that list (among many other things) were reasonable measures to incentivize a move to green energy. Why did they pay no political price for their Nay votes? Blind partisan loyalty?
Crazy Johnson (Wisconsin) won because the Dems put up s stone cold loser. Had his primary rival run against Johnson there'd be another Dem in the Senate.
I stand corrected. Grassley voted Yea for infrastructure (HR 3684)
Michael DeNicola
1 min ago
Hey Chris, my name is Michael DeNicola I have been impressed by your writings, my name is Mike DeNicola, I was wondering what you think the default odds are, I personally think its unlikely and would say 20 percent, but that's higher than zero.
Hey Chris!
I read an article on your old stomping grounds about a judge ruling a ban of handgun sales to 19-20 year olds as unconstitutional because that wasn’t a restriction when the amendment was written.
Originalist arguments like this seem to be begging for new constitutional amendments. To my (admittedly liberal) mind, it seems obvious the problem IS the constitution.
I know it’s not realistic in this political climate, but why doesn’t it even get discussed? Why are we so resistant to change something that we’ve changed before?
Hi Chris,
I really appreciate your post, "We are laughing ourselves to political death." You nailed it with the cruelty that is supported, adored, and perfected by Donald Trump. It is what probably upsets me the most about it and watching him campaign. His total lack of empathy to others, even those who support him. As you said, he is transactional.
But, you also said that when others tried to be cruel, it backfired because Trump is just better at it. What do you think this means for the future of politics? Is this how Josh Hawley or Tom Cotton win, by being meaner than Trump? This is just so depressing, how can there be any civil debates and discourse that solves some real problems that we have? Tough to have answers, but he has shown how to win and lose on the biggest stage. How do you see future politicians acting?
Shouldn’t Dominion and Smartmatic sue the Epoch Times since they are very well funded and a huge source of disinformation in support of Trump?
Hey Chris — You and I are both from Connecticut. We grew up at the same time, went to college in the DC area (different George universities), then stayed in DC to start careers and get married and raise kids. What do you miss most about the Nutmeg State, and what do you not miss at all?
Hi. Whatever happened to the video filed of the January 6th insurrection?
Love the mailbag. I need to know more about the $10 milkshake. Was it just milk and ice cream? Did it taste good? Would you pay $10 again?
My other question: No one seems to want Biden or Trump to run again. Given voter dissatisfaction, if the Libertarian party or another third party nominated a credible candidate (say Johnson/Weld but without the Aleppo gaffe), what do you think their ceiling would be popular vote wise? 5 percent? 10 percent?