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Saturday, June 08, 2024
The Curious Case of Marco Rubio: No one on the American right embodies the corruption of conservatism quite like Marco Rubio.
by Nick Catoggio, The Dispatch, June 8, 2024- Nearly every conservative of significance within the Republican Party has reconciled themselves to Trumpism since 2016, but the earnestness with which they’ve done so varies. Many are careerists who privately despise Donald Trump and what he stands for but despise the idea of losing their political stature just a little more. They’ve pledged their fealty because they had to, not because they wanted to. They’re cynics.
Other conservatives started out despising Trump but have grown to idolize the man and his movement. A few might have been won over to populist-nationalism on the ideological merits (giggle) but for most, I think, the appeal is more primal. MAGA politics is a daily bath of authoritarian fervor, cultural outrage, and insatiable suspicion that malicious conspiracies are afoot in every part of society. Whatever may have motivated these conservatives to join the cult, they’re enthusiastic converts now. (Read more)
Rod's Comment: In the primary season leading up to the 2020 nomination, I was an enthusiastic supporter of Marco Rubio. I saw him as smart and sensible and well-grounded in mainstream conservative principles. Like so many others who have joined the Trump cult it has been disappointing and perplexing to watch one who I admired descend into the mire of the Trumpian pit of authoritarianism, irrationality, abandonment of principle and destruction of America's institutions.
This article makes the case that there are those Republicans who are simply cynics who want to remain relevant and adapt, and those who are true converts to Trumpism.
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Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light: A “Choose How You Move” Breakdown
From The Beacon Center, June 8, 2024 - Recently, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell released the full details of his long-expected transit plan “Choose How You Move.” The plan, costing over $3 billion, is paid through a variety of grants and a half-penny sales tax increase. The increase in the sales tax will bring Nashville’s rate to 9.75 cents per dollar, the same as many of Davidson’s surrounding counties. Not only is this half the proposed tax hike of the previous plan that Nashville voters soundly rejected back in 2018, it also differs dramatically from the previous transit proposal.
So what to make of this new plan? We’ve got you covered.
You can read the full report here.
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Thursday, June 06, 2024
The Tennessee Republican Party's Comment on the Trump Trial and Conviction
From a fundraising appeal, May 31,2024 - This is a sad day for America. Between the actions of a partisan District Attorney, flawed and unproven charges, a trial overseen and influenced by a non-elected judge, a jury pool from one of the most Democrat districts in the Country, and a convicted liar as the star witness, the last month has only served to remind Americans why strong leadership is needed in the White House.
Despite today’s events, the American people will issue the final verdict on all of these actions when we elect President Trump on November 5th. The Democrat Party must be held accountable for their continued use of lawfare.
It’s time for every conservative Republican to wake up, participate, donate, and get involved because today has reminded us of the stakes of the 2024 election.
We must stand strong... our fight is just beginning... join us in 2024 campaign!
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My thoughts on the Trump Conviction
by Rod Williams, June 6, 2024- One can hold two thoughts at the same time and they not be contradictory. Here are my thoughts on the recent Trump trial and conviction.
The jury delivered a correct verdict. There was amble evidence to convict Trump of the crimes for which he was charged. The prosecution proved its case. The jury is not to judge whether or not the case should have been brought in the first place but judge the facts before it.
This case should have never gone to trial. The prosecution took a case of bad bookkeeping and turned a misdemeanor into a felony. This was politically motivated prosecution. If the accused had of been anyone but Donald Trump, this would have never gone to trial.
Trump's offence was no worse than Hillary Clinton's paying for the Steele dossier out of campaign funds. Trumps offence was no worse than Bill Clinton paying off Paula Jones or lying under oath about sex with an intern. Believing the jury delivered a correct verdict and believing the case should have never been prosecuted are not in conflict; one can believe both.
While this prosecution was politically motivated, Trump defenders need to can the rhetoric calling this a kangaroo court, or saying it is the equivalent of a Stalinist show trial or puts the U. S. in the same class as a third world country. This belittles the horrors on the Stalinist show trials and shows lack of knowledge of how the judiciary functions in much of the world. I suspect most saying those things, don't really believe it and are just engaging in hyperbole. Unfortunately, there are a lot of ignorant, uneducated people who really will believe what they hear. Destroying faith in our institutions endangers our democracy.
I suspect this case will be overturned on appeal. However, I am not a lawyer or legal scholar and could be wrong. However, it looks like there are several grounds for an appeal, the first being the failure of the judge to grant a change of venue.
For those who claim to believe that the judicial system is totally rigged and weaponized, why would you even want to waste time on an appeal? If the Deep State rigged this trial, why do you expect the results of an appeal to not already be determined? For those who believe the judiciary is in the pocket of Joe Biden, please explain why Joe Biden is prosecuting his son?
It is unfortunate for our democracy and fortunate for Trumpinistas that this was the first Trump case to go to trial. This was a case over a relatively trivial matter. This will lead many to simply ignore the facts of the other much more serious cases and many will conclude that the other cases are also based on trumped up charges to get Trump.
I expect this trial and conviction to have little political impact. Initial polls show some minor loss of Trump support, but that loss will be short lived. We already knew of Trump's character. Americans just do not seem to care about a politician's sex life anymore. Morality, and fidelity are no longer political issues. It has been 37 years since a Gary Hart had to end a winning presidential campaign over womanizing and affairs and a lot has changed since then. After Bill Clintons "bimbo eruptions" and the revelations of getting a blowjob in the Oval Office, Trump's banging a porn star is just not that disturbing. Trumps morality is already backed into the equation. When even uptight moralistic evangelicals are sticking with Trump no matter the revelations of immorality, don't expect some salacious details of Trump's porn star sexual encounter to move the needle.
While some say that Trump being a convicted felon will make them less likely to vote for him. I think after milking this conviction for all it is worth, pounding home the "weaponized judiciary" theme, and Trump playing the victim card, that those few Trump supporters who may have initially wavered will be back in the Trump camp. Unfortunately, in the end, this could actually help Trump.
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Courtney Johnston Comments on Trump Trial
Nashville, Tenn. May 30, 2024– Today, Conservative Metro Councilwoman Courtney Johnston released the following statement:
“The continued weaponization of the judicial system should concern every American. Activist prosecutors continue to come after President Trump to score political points, but the American people see this for what it is. I believe the backlash will lead to a huge red wave in November.”
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Wednesday, June 05, 2024
George Will Has "No Inclination' to Vote." "Both Parties are Repulsive."
Rod's Comment: I agree. This is the closest anyone has come to reflecting my views of current political affairs and the upcoming election.
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