I agree with much of what you say, but still can bring myself not to skip that part of the ballot or vote for Kennedy just cuz. I will probably wait until he declares a veep. If he's smart enough to choose a more moderate, strong person who's not afraid to try to challenge his more narcissistic tendencies I may pull that lever., though I doubt it as he doesn't pIay well with others. Remember how quickly his first cabinet disbanded. I cared more about Congress and Cabinet in past, but all this use of Presidential powers scare me. Looks like you are also a fan of Douglas Murray who is one of my faves. If only Trump could surround himself and play well with those with Murray's or Niall Ferguson's intellect and demeanor.
Nancy. I still do not know if I’ll vote for Trump. I might do exactly what you suggest, abstain or vote Kennedy (even though I don’t like him either). I mentioned it was the first time I could think of voting for him. I think the conviction of Trump IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE is worse for the country than Jan 6th. I have read and listened to everyone from Elie Honig (CNN legal expert), Ilya Somin (supports the conviction while also saying it will certainly fall under appeal because of all the legal problems), Andrew McCarthy (conservative who supported Trump impeachment), David French (Never Trump conservative), Sarah Isgur, Mark Zauderer, and many more from across the political spectrum. And, the safest read I have gotten from any is Somin who said “it certainly looks like a politically targeted conviction but that is very hard to prove legally”. Every other expert across the spectrum have basically conceded (more or less) it is a politically targeted conviction.
I hate Trump. Again, hope he careens off a cliff. Also think he deserves to be convicted in many of the cases against him. But THIS one? Are you serious? A completely novel legal theory in the jurisdiction, on a state level past the statute of limitations wrapped in a federal crime where they may not have jurisdiction, with jury instructions that 95% of laymen observe as blatantly unconstitutional, tied in a bow of contorted legalese binding each part of Frankensteins monster together. THAT is the basis for convicting your political opponent of a felony?
The Rubicon has been crossed. For me open legal targeting of political opponents is now firmly on the table as a tool to use (White House involvement or not doesn’t impact me at all). Which not only is at its first level a disaster of trying to jail opponents. At the second level is even a bigger disaster. Jail time or no jail time, Trump loses this election he can call “election interference” and be RIGHT. It will no longer be a delusion of the MAGA idiots. It will be a fact as clear as day. The political opponents of Trump convicted him of a felony in a bogus trial and impacted his election chances. What the hell else are you supposed to call that? And, the insane thing is I don’t know if it is better he is acquitted on appeal (admitting to the election interference) or convicted on appeal (confirming the use of the legal system as a political tool - this is not saying a conviction confirms the fraudulent nature of the court. It is stating the obvious fact that Bragg has prosecutorial discretion, and waited 7 years to bring charges, immediately in front of an election. Even if ruled LEGALLY sound, still undeniably being used as a political tool. Could have easily brought the case a year ago and allowed for a different candidate).
We are so unbelievably fucked in this upcoming election. And the greatest step in that fuckery has come from the left in their childish flailing against Trump. I cannot stomach that and the reason I can put Trump back on the table as a possibility is as a complete and utter “Fuck you!” to the left and Biden. You can’t campaign on “he’s going to destroy democracy!” as you attempt to jail your opponents. That is so incredibly egregious and this will be felt I think for generations. January 6th I think is already not a force to be wielded again. What? Crazy freaks did some horrible shit for a few hours, were stopped, one killed, and ton more put in jail after not accomplishing anything at all. Yes, a huge breaking of norms. Yes, very bad. What is the FUTURE strategy using from Jan 6th? The fact nothing was accomplished and a lot of people ruined their lives for no purpose?
Trump loses this election for any reason (could shit himself and face plant in his own feces on TV), and this becomes a tool for BOTH SIDES in every future election.
That is why Trump is on the table for me. Literally nothing else.
Can't agree more with your reasoning. Using the legal system on any level as a political tool is a great fear for me. It is most likely a pipe dream that Trump will have people in place who can appeal to his better angels and convince him not to go on a retaliatory rampage. Or if Biden wins, his cronies also do not see victory as a referendum to continue same or even use the legal system against the "anti-woke". For me, if I vote for him at all (A BIG IF) it would be for his fiscal policies vs Biden. So much more successful first time around. To me, if policies were based more on economics & fiscal soundness, much of the social issues could take care of themselves.
I agree with much of what you say, but still can bring myself not to skip that part of the ballot or vote for Kennedy just cuz. I will probably wait until he declares a veep. If he's smart enough to choose a more moderate, strong person who's not afraid to try to challenge his more narcissistic tendencies I may pull that lever., though I doubt it as he doesn't pIay well with others. Remember how quickly his first cabinet disbanded. I cared more about Congress and Cabinet in past, but all this use of Presidential powers scare me. Looks like you are also a fan of Douglas Murray who is one of my faves. If only Trump could surround himself and play well with those with Murray's or Niall Ferguson's intellect and demeanor.
Well said, Nancy.
Nancy. I still do not know if I’ll vote for Trump. I might do exactly what you suggest, abstain or vote Kennedy (even though I don’t like him either). I mentioned it was the first time I could think of voting for him. I think the conviction of Trump IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE is worse for the country than Jan 6th. I have read and listened to everyone from Elie Honig (CNN legal expert), Ilya Somin (supports the conviction while also saying it will certainly fall under appeal because of all the legal problems), Andrew McCarthy (conservative who supported Trump impeachment), David French (Never Trump conservative), Sarah Isgur, Mark Zauderer, and many more from across the political spectrum. And, the safest read I have gotten from any is Somin who said “it certainly looks like a politically targeted conviction but that is very hard to prove legally”. Every other expert across the spectrum have basically conceded (more or less) it is a politically targeted conviction.
I hate Trump. Again, hope he careens off a cliff. Also think he deserves to be convicted in many of the cases against him. But THIS one? Are you serious? A completely novel legal theory in the jurisdiction, on a state level past the statute of limitations wrapped in a federal crime where they may not have jurisdiction, with jury instructions that 95% of laymen observe as blatantly unconstitutional, tied in a bow of contorted legalese binding each part of Frankensteins monster together. THAT is the basis for convicting your political opponent of a felony?
The Rubicon has been crossed. For me open legal targeting of political opponents is now firmly on the table as a tool to use (White House involvement or not doesn’t impact me at all). Which not only is at its first level a disaster of trying to jail opponents. At the second level is even a bigger disaster. Jail time or no jail time, Trump loses this election he can call “election interference” and be RIGHT. It will no longer be a delusion of the MAGA idiots. It will be a fact as clear as day. The political opponents of Trump convicted him of a felony in a bogus trial and impacted his election chances. What the hell else are you supposed to call that? And, the insane thing is I don’t know if it is better he is acquitted on appeal (admitting to the election interference) or convicted on appeal (confirming the use of the legal system as a political tool - this is not saying a conviction confirms the fraudulent nature of the court. It is stating the obvious fact that Bragg has prosecutorial discretion, and waited 7 years to bring charges, immediately in front of an election. Even if ruled LEGALLY sound, still undeniably being used as a political tool. Could have easily brought the case a year ago and allowed for a different candidate).
We are so unbelievably fucked in this upcoming election. And the greatest step in that fuckery has come from the left in their childish flailing against Trump. I cannot stomach that and the reason I can put Trump back on the table as a possibility is as a complete and utter “Fuck you!” to the left and Biden. You can’t campaign on “he’s going to destroy democracy!” as you attempt to jail your opponents. That is so incredibly egregious and this will be felt I think for generations. January 6th I think is already not a force to be wielded again. What? Crazy freaks did some horrible shit for a few hours, were stopped, one killed, and ton more put in jail after not accomplishing anything at all. Yes, a huge breaking of norms. Yes, very bad. What is the FUTURE strategy using from Jan 6th? The fact nothing was accomplished and a lot of people ruined their lives for no purpose?
Trump loses this election for any reason (could shit himself and face plant in his own feces on TV), and this becomes a tool for BOTH SIDES in every future election.
That is why Trump is on the table for me. Literally nothing else.
Can't agree more with your reasoning. Using the legal system on any level as a political tool is a great fear for me. It is most likely a pipe dream that Trump will have people in place who can appeal to his better angels and convince him not to go on a retaliatory rampage. Or if Biden wins, his cronies also do not see victory as a referendum to continue same or even use the legal system against the "anti-woke". For me, if I vote for him at all (A BIG IF) it would be for his fiscal policies vs Biden. So much more successful first time around. To me, if policies were based more on economics & fiscal soundness, much of the social issues could take care of themselves.