Agree with you there. I've been reading Will for years even if I find myself disagreeing with much of what he says as he writes well and presents an argument rather than a rant, but he really seems at sea when it comes to the MAGA-ized Republican Party. He's not alone in this, of course!
I think the only thing Trump could do at this point that would eat away at his base of support is to say what (I believe) he actually thinks about them. This would involve some level of honesty... I know, I know. But, what if he said something like: "My fans are complete morons. And a bunch of racists. My ability to stoke their fears about "others" and bully people relentlessly makes them love me. Then they give me money they can't afford, hoping I'll be President again so I can do absolutely nothing that makes their lives any better." He would have to repeat it a few times so he couldn't use the "just joking" excuse. As for Hailey, her best bet is that poking him results in a heart attack. Just sayin'.
You are either MAGA or you are not - if you were “...already embarrassed and exhausted by Trump,” you are already not MAGA. It is like the Sneetches - you either have or you have not.
I sometimes read George Will’s columns, and sometimes I feel he is on the mark, however, more often, I feel he is detached from reality. This column is one of the latter. It feels like he determines a conclusion, and then finds some arguments to support his conclusion.
Absolutely spot on. If one is still with Donald J Trump at this point in his political career, it is ride or die. Poor George..he used to have a face until the leopards got him…..
As I nod my head in agreement with you Chris, your post reminds me again how amazed (and disgusted) I remain with the millions of voters who stand with this cult leader. I guess I’m more disgusted than amazed at this point, some 8+ years in now 😢
Sure, Will is wishcasting and TFG will likely roll Haley in SC and beyond. That said, why not write about the moon shot that Haley may wear Trump down to the point that he begins to look like a rapidly aging..both mentally and physically..diminished, puddle of a man. I say stay at it Nikki, all the way to the convention. Longshot or not, it's all we've got.
They will continue to support Trump even if he is convicted and sent to prison because, you know, the whole thing is a political witch hunt orchestrated by the "Deep State", and not because Trump is the most corrupt president we've ever had.
Now here's a guy (George Will) who I have read and watched before and consider credible. I agree with some points and disagree with others. But to make the claim that Haley presents an antidote to Trump? No. She missed her chance, unfortunately. She didn't need to be Chris Christie, rather she should have used him (which I'm sure he would have been fine with!). At least be in the “Trump will not take over my party!” camp. She blew it.
Now, by attacking Trump, she makes it appear personal because Trump started attacking her. By trying to look like she's ”standing up to bullies” she runs into not standing up for others when she has the chance. I believe she is finished politically, the same as DeSantis.
Haley should still stay in, though. Trump could totally crack up before the convention or fall out of a window in Moscow.
George Will should have been a sports writer, since the country doesn't rise on what people in that field of journalism write or say.
As to politics, I can't remember a time he wrote something I disagreed with where later events proved I was right to disagree because he was wrong. 100% of the time. A record of epic failure in his chosen profession of political prognostication.
People think because he uses big words as ponderously as he does that he must be smart.
Will is the perfect demonstration of the fact that "conservative intellectual" is an oxymoron.
Since Reagan, the GOP leadership has increasingly radicalized its ever-shrinking base by playing on their collective cultural tropes and fears. Trump's cult-like following is nothing more than the logical outcome of this strategy.
The collective moaning of the GOP establishment is not a lament for the 40-year political and policy degradation of the conspiracy-driven no-nothings of their base; rather, it is the establishment wailing that those no-nothings are Trump's, not theirs.
Wasn't he the one saying that Tim Scott was going to be the natural choice, since his wife was consulting for his campaign. When he wrote those OpEds I just rolled my eyes
Thanks, Chris, I totaly agree with you on all counts. I wonder, though, if Nikki Haley's continued candidacy could have a positive impact if she could step up the attacks, similar to the way that Chris Christie did, and raise doubts about his competency. For example, a face to face debate, if Trump would agree to it, would probably show off the difference in age and acuity. It wouldn't change the GOP nomination result but maybe could help in the general election?
Agree with you there. I've been reading Will for years even if I find myself disagreeing with much of what he says as he writes well and presents an argument rather than a rant, but he really seems at sea when it comes to the MAGA-ized Republican Party. He's not alone in this, of course!
I think the only thing Trump could do at this point that would eat away at his base of support is to say what (I believe) he actually thinks about them. This would involve some level of honesty... I know, I know. But, what if he said something like: "My fans are complete morons. And a bunch of racists. My ability to stoke their fears about "others" and bully people relentlessly makes them love me. Then they give me money they can't afford, hoping I'll be President again so I can do absolutely nothing that makes their lives any better." He would have to repeat it a few times so he couldn't use the "just joking" excuse. As for Hailey, her best bet is that poking him results in a heart attack. Just sayin'.
You are either MAGA or you are not - if you were “...already embarrassed and exhausted by Trump,” you are already not MAGA. It is like the Sneetches - you either have or you have not.
I sometimes read George Will’s columns, and sometimes I feel he is on the mark, however, more often, I feel he is detached from reality. This column is one of the latter. It feels like he determines a conclusion, and then finds some arguments to support his conclusion.
Absolutely spot on. If one is still with Donald J Trump at this point in his political career, it is ride or die. Poor George..he used to have a face until the leopards got him…..
Deplorables only get more deplorable.
What I always think of when I hear George Will:
Kramer: I'll tell you who is an attractive man; George Will."
Jerry: "Really!"
Kramer: "Yeah! He has clean looks, scrubbed and shampooed and...."
Elaine: "He's smart...."
Kramer: "No, no I don't find him all that bright."
As I nod my head in agreement with you Chris, your post reminds me again how amazed (and disgusted) I remain with the millions of voters who stand with this cult leader. I guess I’m more disgusted than amazed at this point, some 8+ years in now 😢
Sure, Will is wishcasting and TFG will likely roll Haley in SC and beyond. That said, why not write about the moon shot that Haley may wear Trump down to the point that he begins to look like a rapidly aging..both mentally and physically..diminished, puddle of a man. I say stay at it Nikki, all the way to the convention. Longshot or not, it's all we've got.
They will continue to support Trump even if he is convicted and sent to prison because, you know, the whole thing is a political witch hunt orchestrated by the "Deep State", and not because Trump is the most corrupt president we've ever had.
Now here's a guy (George Will) who I have read and watched before and consider credible. I agree with some points and disagree with others. But to make the claim that Haley presents an antidote to Trump? No. She missed her chance, unfortunately. She didn't need to be Chris Christie, rather she should have used him (which I'm sure he would have been fine with!). At least be in the “Trump will not take over my party!” camp. She blew it.
Now, by attacking Trump, she makes it appear personal because Trump started attacking her. By trying to look like she's ”standing up to bullies” she runs into not standing up for others when she has the chance. I believe she is finished politically, the same as DeSantis.
Haley should still stay in, though. Trump could totally crack up before the convention or fall out of a window in Moscow.
George Will should have been a sports writer, since the country doesn't rise on what people in that field of journalism write or say.
As to politics, I can't remember a time he wrote something I disagreed with where later events proved I was right to disagree because he was wrong. 100% of the time. A record of epic failure in his chosen profession of political prognostication.
People think because he uses big words as ponderously as he does that he must be smart.
Will is the perfect demonstration of the fact that "conservative intellectual" is an oxymoron.
Since Reagan, the GOP leadership has increasingly radicalized its ever-shrinking base by playing on their collective cultural tropes and fears. Trump's cult-like following is nothing more than the logical outcome of this strategy.
The collective moaning of the GOP establishment is not a lament for the 40-year political and policy degradation of the conspiracy-driven no-nothings of their base; rather, it is the establishment wailing that those no-nothings are Trump's, not theirs.
Big George Will fan here. Uh, until recently. He’s lost a bit of his great big mind - the bit that recognizes Trump for what he is: incorrigible.
Wasn't he the one saying that Tim Scott was going to be the natural choice, since his wife was consulting for his campaign. When he wrote those OpEds I just rolled my eyes
Maybe she is going for the "He'll will have a heart attack and die on the trail" and be the last candidate standing.
Thanks, Chris, I totaly agree with you on all counts. I wonder, though, if Nikki Haley's continued candidacy could have a positive impact if she could step up the attacks, similar to the way that Chris Christie did, and raise doubts about his competency. For example, a face to face debate, if Trump would agree to it, would probably show off the difference in age and acuity. It wouldn't change the GOP nomination result but maybe could help in the general election?