Does Kinzinger have a role eg veterans affairs in a Harris’ administration? I’d love to see him there as a vet myself and a prior resident of IL. Thx. J
It seems that each week the Trump camp’s insults and bombast get wilder and more crass, thinking Trump’s comments that God wants him to win and that he won California in 2020, along with his crude sexual post about Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. Just how low do you see comments and online posts going? Is there a bottom?
Good question! Every time I think Trump has hit an ethical/moral nadir (or is that an unethical/immoral zenith?), he manages to go lower. Would any such comments, particularly the crude post about Clinton/Harris, actually move an undecided voter into the Trump column?
The issue of public funding of stadium building is such a great question that I hope Chris addresses. In the East, the Foxboro, Massachusetts New England Patriots were almost the Hartford, Connecticut Patriots (an immovable sewage treatment plant got in the way) because Beacon Hill legislators would not fund a new stadium. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pats-move-to-hartford-is-off/
Hi Chris, I sure wish you could tell me why this occurs or at least give me some perspective. Trump and his entourage make an obviously, blatantly political wreath-laying trip to Arlington National Cemetery, which any objective person sees is illegal. A cemetery employee does his job and tries to stop them. They shove him aside and continue. Despite their illegal actions and the guy only doing his job, Trump’s handlers hurl incredibly ugly, personal invectives at him. And he is so afraid of retribution that he refuses to press charges. Trump says nothing, tacitly approving of his staff’s conduct. What the hell is the world coming to that any thinking, moral, decent person would vote for a man like this to hold the most powerful political office in the world? Jeez, am I missing something here? I would REALLY appreciate some perspective. Thanks, and please keep up all your good work.
None of the big names in the "traditional" Republican party attended the Republican National Convention. Lots of former Trump officials have come out against him; some even spoke at the DNC. Retired military officers, mostly Republican, are saying he is unfit to be the Commander in Chief.
Three questions:
1. Do you believe any of the "big name" Republicans (George Bush, Mitt Romney, Dick Cheney, John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Jeff Flake, Arnold, Mike Pence) will express their opposition to Trump more aggressively over the next few months?
2. Would any of them publicly endorse Harris/Walz?
3. Do you believe that would sway any Independents or moderate Republicans?
There is always a lot of talk about the downballot effect of the Presidential Candidates, but how much impact do you think Senate and Governor races can effect the Presidential race in a state? In the battleground states of AZ, NV, PA, MI, and WI, the Dem. candidates are in much better position to win currently than Harris. Additionally, the NC Gov. race also looks like it will be a blowout for the Dems. I sincerely doubt that Trump wants to share a stage with Mark Robinson or Kari Lake right now!
Kinzinger made an interesting observation today on the Bulwark Pod regarding why so many former GOP "leaders" are staying quiet about Trump ..... paraphrasing "so a lot of these folks, they are making money now in private equity or as a consultant, and you can survive in that those roles with a past of being aggressive about Donald Trump, but they cannot survive with a future that is overly aggressive against the GOP/Trump - that is why they are being silent". Your thoughts Chris?
News reports are suggesting that Trump's antics at Arlington National Cemetery aren't just "against the rules", but are "against the law". Is there a chance that Trump (or someone in his campaign) could face charges?
First and foremost, thank you again for the Zoom call earlier this week. I very much enjoyed our conversation!
Secondly, I know that the horse has already left the barn, but will there be any push back to successful down-ballot Republican candidates who win their elections in November when (N.B. not if, but when) DJT claims massive voter fraud should he lose?
Lastly, I have always thought anyone running against DJT should NEVER refer to him as “Donald”, but rather as “Don” or Donny”. DJT continuing to mispronounce Harris’s first name is simply a sign of disrespect, and every time he is referred to as “Donald” is a sign of respect. Petty, yes, but we’ve long stepped over that line.
I was serious in an earlier post's comment about the personality cult deprogramming question. Do you think if experienced professionals in that area were involved in crafting some of the Harris-Walz approach to campaigning that it might make a legitimate contribution to increasing their vote sizes? I know not all of Trump supporters fall under that categorization but it seems like a significant number of them may be persuadable if there's some way to approach them effectively.
I would appreciate your thoughts on an issue that arose out of the recent civil war between Never Trump factions on Twitter. Specifically for me it boils down to the fact that I believe a reader should be able to have the reasonable expectation that a political commentator or opinion writer will speak or write things they think are true and correct (I do not mean by this that one is entitled to know a commentator's position on any given topic). I know that there are many people (especially on the Right) who say and write things that they do not believe for money and influence, but I'd like your thoughts on balancing saying the things you believe are true with throwing red meat to the audience.
Part of the reason I am a subscriber is that I so appreciate that you engage with ideas in good faith, and that even if I ultimately conclude differently than you do, my own thinking on a topic is sharpened in the process. So thank you for that.
1. What (living) national political figure from 2016 who has disappeared has surprised you the most for their disappearance, whether voluntary or involuntary, from the national political stage? (I’m thinking the Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden ilk not your School Committee Member)
2. Thinking of the three sports of baseball, basketball and soccer, which one do you enjoy the most as a fan? Does it differ if it is family that is playing? Is there one that you are hesitant to let your child play (I know some parents are concerned about concussions in gymnastics).
3. Name something your child(ren) will be doing in 2039 that we are not doing as a society today – a new trend. (We didn’t have iPhones 16 years ago).
4. Would you describe yourself as more of an extrovert or an introvert? Why?
Chris, first let me say that I did not serve in the military. That being said if I had there is no way I would vote for trump. Why do you think vets condone everything he has, or, according to him, hasn’t said about our veterans? And especially with what happened at Arlington.
Does Kinzinger have a role eg veterans affairs in a Harris’ administration? I’d love to see him there as a vet myself and a prior resident of IL. Thx. J
It seems that each week the Trump camp’s insults and bombast get wilder and more crass, thinking Trump’s comments that God wants him to win and that he won California in 2020, along with his crude sexual post about Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. Just how low do you see comments and online posts going? Is there a bottom?
Good question! Every time I think Trump has hit an ethical/moral nadir (or is that an unethical/immoral zenith?), he manages to go lower. Would any such comments, particularly the crude post about Clinton/Harris, actually move an undecided voter into the Trump column?
What will happen to investigative journalism without the big media companies to pay them??
Do you think the Oakland A's will relocate to Las Vegas or is it all just a bluff to get someplace else to build them a new stadium?
Thought I'd skip the political questions this week.
The issue of public funding of stadium building is such a great question that I hope Chris addresses. In the East, the Foxboro, Massachusetts New England Patriots were almost the Hartford, Connecticut Patriots (an immovable sewage treatment plant got in the way) because Beacon Hill legislators would not fund a new stadium. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pats-move-to-hartford-is-off/
Hi Chris, I sure wish you could tell me why this occurs or at least give me some perspective. Trump and his entourage make an obviously, blatantly political wreath-laying trip to Arlington National Cemetery, which any objective person sees is illegal. A cemetery employee does his job and tries to stop them. They shove him aside and continue. Despite their illegal actions and the guy only doing his job, Trump’s handlers hurl incredibly ugly, personal invectives at him. And he is so afraid of retribution that he refuses to press charges. Trump says nothing, tacitly approving of his staff’s conduct. What the hell is the world coming to that any thinking, moral, decent person would vote for a man like this to hold the most powerful political office in the world? Jeez, am I missing something here? I would REALLY appreciate some perspective. Thanks, and please keep up all your good work.
None of the big names in the "traditional" Republican party attended the Republican National Convention. Lots of former Trump officials have come out against him; some even spoke at the DNC. Retired military officers, mostly Republican, are saying he is unfit to be the Commander in Chief.
Three questions:
1. Do you believe any of the "big name" Republicans (George Bush, Mitt Romney, Dick Cheney, John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Jeff Flake, Arnold, Mike Pence) will express their opposition to Trump more aggressively over the next few months?
2. Would any of them publicly endorse Harris/Walz?
3. Do you believe that would sway any Independents or moderate Republicans?
There is always a lot of talk about the downballot effect of the Presidential Candidates, but how much impact do you think Senate and Governor races can effect the Presidential race in a state? In the battleground states of AZ, NV, PA, MI, and WI, the Dem. candidates are in much better position to win currently than Harris. Additionally, the NC Gov. race also looks like it will be a blowout for the Dems. I sincerely doubt that Trump wants to share a stage with Mark Robinson or Kari Lake right now!
Kinzinger made an interesting observation today on the Bulwark Pod regarding why so many former GOP "leaders" are staying quiet about Trump ..... paraphrasing "so a lot of these folks, they are making money now in private equity or as a consultant, and you can survive in that those roles with a past of being aggressive about Donald Trump, but they cannot survive with a future that is overly aggressive against the GOP/Trump - that is why they are being silent". Your thoughts Chris?
News reports are suggesting that Trump's antics at Arlington National Cemetery aren't just "against the rules", but are "against the law". Is there a chance that Trump (or someone in his campaign) could face charges?
I know the polls are only trend based. I know that he's only 1-2 points behind. I know he pulled off an upset in 2016. I know all of this.
But I hardly see any trump yard signs. I see JD booed at almost every appearance. I see Kamala and Tim mobbed at every appearance.
Are we just dreaming they are doing well or is there truly something incredible happening around the country?
Are you ever stuck for Substack/YouTube material (probably a dumb question in the Age of Trump!)? Any comments on your daily process?
First and foremost, thank you again for the Zoom call earlier this week. I very much enjoyed our conversation!
Secondly, I know that the horse has already left the barn, but will there be any push back to successful down-ballot Republican candidates who win their elections in November when (N.B. not if, but when) DJT claims massive voter fraud should he lose?
Lastly, I have always thought anyone running against DJT should NEVER refer to him as “Donald”, but rather as “Don” or Donny”. DJT continuing to mispronounce Harris’s first name is simply a sign of disrespect, and every time he is referred to as “Donald” is a sign of respect. Petty, yes, but we’ve long stepped over that line.
I was serious in an earlier post's comment about the personality cult deprogramming question. Do you think if experienced professionals in that area were involved in crafting some of the Harris-Walz approach to campaigning that it might make a legitimate contribution to increasing their vote sizes? I know not all of Trump supporters fall under that categorization but it seems like a significant number of them may be persuadable if there's some way to approach them effectively.
I would appreciate your thoughts on an issue that arose out of the recent civil war between Never Trump factions on Twitter. Specifically for me it boils down to the fact that I believe a reader should be able to have the reasonable expectation that a political commentator or opinion writer will speak or write things they think are true and correct (I do not mean by this that one is entitled to know a commentator's position on any given topic). I know that there are many people (especially on the Right) who say and write things that they do not believe for money and influence, but I'd like your thoughts on balancing saying the things you believe are true with throwing red meat to the audience.
Part of the reason I am a subscriber is that I so appreciate that you engage with ideas in good faith, and that even if I ultimately conclude differently than you do, my own thinking on a topic is sharpened in the process. So thank you for that.
Glad you asked that question. I’ve been reading lots of commentary after the fact on the brouhaha and was wondering what Chris’ thoughts were.
Four questions:
1. What (living) national political figure from 2016 who has disappeared has surprised you the most for their disappearance, whether voluntary or involuntary, from the national political stage? (I’m thinking the Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden ilk not your School Committee Member)
2. Thinking of the three sports of baseball, basketball and soccer, which one do you enjoy the most as a fan? Does it differ if it is family that is playing? Is there one that you are hesitant to let your child play (I know some parents are concerned about concussions in gymnastics).
3. Name something your child(ren) will be doing in 2039 that we are not doing as a society today – a new trend. (We didn’t have iPhones 16 years ago).
4. Would you describe yourself as more of an extrovert or an introvert? Why?
Chris, first let me say that I did not serve in the military. That being said if I had there is no way I would vote for trump. Why do you think vets condone everything he has, or, according to him, hasn’t said about our veterans? And especially with what happened at Arlington.