Commentary
Some Lingering Reactions to Trump Decision
In my three-part blog, in which I positioned the future of the Republican Party, and in my subsequent post with reactions to former President Trump’s decision to again run for the presidency, I included a number of quotes by fellow bloggers and the media citing displeasure with him.
There were several pointed remarks regarding that decision by the editorial board and columnists of the Wall Street Journal. A woman from Lexington, Massachusetts, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3 to 1, noted her disapproval of the Journal’s views in a letter to the editor in Friday’s edition. I decided to quote her because her letter struck the note I have been trying to make.
In my series (November 14, 15 and 16) I wrote that while I originally supported a Trump comeback, I was persuaded that it was time to look to the future.
I was, and continue to be, disappointed in those who oppose Trump primarily because of his narcissism, character, boorishness and inflated ego, while ignoring what he accomplished in office.
Here’s what the letter writer from Massachusetts had to say to the Journal:
“I am tired of your dumping on Mr. Trump. You place inordinate weight on what you call character flaws, and too little weight on his considerable achievements as well as the onslaught of vicious attacks that the faced even before taking office.
“Mr. Trump was attacked so ferociously by so many powerful people and institutions because he was the only one who began to challenge their globalist dreams and aspirations – their path to power and wealth at America’s expense.
“I believe Mr. Trump will go down in history as one of America’s great presidents. He is a true patriot.” – Mary Finn, Lexington, Massachusetts
Don’t get me wrong, having good character can take you a long way in life, but do a few character flaws disqualify you to be president? When Trump’s critics run out of derogatory terms, they even criticize his belief in loyalty, a character quality trait. Or, they refer to him as Hitler.
Every modern-day president has had some. Three of them were permitted to serve two terms despite them.
Think about character flaws in terms of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and yes, Joe Biden. They all have character flaws.
While you’re at it, think about how voters might have developed their dislike, call it hate, of Trump. Some people I know held that feeling even before he decided to run in 2016. Later, however, I believe it was aided by the six years of unrelenting attacks by a biased media, angry with his treatment of them. Then there were his daily snipes on Twitter. Voters tired of it.
And then there was this by Amber Athey, the Washington Editor of The Spectator, writing that “Trump’s biggest asset, arguably, is that he was the father of the GOP’s realignment. He became a hero to the working class and championed policies that put blue collar Americans and the country as a whole above the elite class.
“If he can recapture that energy and leave behind the petty spats in favor of success stories, he will perform well in 2024.”
Readers of my positioning may recall my reminder that Trump still faces considerable negative press ahead with the House Select Jan. 6 report and the status of various lawsuits.
On Friday we saw further evidence of the weaponization of the Department of Justice, when Attorney General Merrick Garland announced his decision to appoint a special counsel to investigate Trump with unlimited territory.
Republicans naturally criticized his timing, just days after Trump’s decision to run again, arguing that Garland could have done so months earlier.
PONDER THIS – Could it be that the surprising House press conference announcing the investigation of Hunter Biden and the complicity of the DOJ and FBI in a cover up was the result of a leak out of the DOJ revealing that Garland’s announcement was imminent? Just thinking.
Regarding that House announcement – I was disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that a few pundits and bloggers were critical of the announcement that the Republicans would announce that they would conduct hearings into the DOJ/FBI cover-up just days after the midterms. They claim that Hunter Biden’s business dealings were tied to access to the Biden White House.
The announcement was made by Rep. James Comer, who will head the House Oversight Committee in January.
While the critics believed the investigation was certainly warranted, they questioned the priority. What about inflation they ask.
“This is why the GOP doesn’t deserve the majority,” tweeted Pradheep J. Shanker, a radiologist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “You want to investigate it … fine. I’m ok with that. But you want to make this the most important issue, when people are struggling financially? They you aren’t fit to lead.”
“What matters is the focus,” writes Tom Knigthton in “GOP should recalibrate their priorities,” he thought they should be signaling to the American people that they actually care about real issues.”
Comer explained that his committee represents just eight percent of the new Republican-led House and that members of other House committees will be working on other issues in its commitment to Americans. Like chewing gum and walking at the same time. The very thing Biden claims his administration is doing.
Finally … Jon Gabriel, in his column “Want to stop Trump once and for all? Let him run in 2024,” he wrote, “In the long run, it’s healthier for the GOP that Trump does run for president, and is soundly defeated in the primaries.
“The only way the party turns the page is for voters to do the turning,” he said, adding, “the grassroots made him and the grassroots are the only ones who can retire him to the back nine at Mar-a-Lago.”
As a caution, however, Gabriel writes that “if the new Republicans don’t unify behind a new leader, they can expect another loss in 2024. Then in 2026.”
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
