The Future of American Conservatism With the Hosts of The Bulwark | The Atlantic Festival 2024

[@davidnorman179]

Every time i watch the Bulwark crew i feel a bit like im snooping in on the the other teams locker room during half time. Its a real asset to have their perspective in this election. And dare i say, because of their influence im realizing a) im more conservative than i thought b) my problems with republican party were largely because of the anti democratic influences like the tea party tactics. But C, im starting to see a possibility of a partnership between Democrats and democratic Republicans. It would be a great to see such a partnership to come together long enough to repair democracy.

[@goodun2974]

Uh, *NO*. Do not believe that Never-tRumper Republicans can be trusted with the reins of power. The last decent Republican president we had was Eisenhower, and the GOP has been inching towards fascism ever since. Although I'm glad to have Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger and other "conservatives" on our side in this particular battle, they're still on board with 95% of Republican policies and actions. They'd still ban abortion, privatize the Post Office and Social Security, dismantle regulatory agencies, and allow corporate America to monopolize, price-gouge and pollute as they like. They cannot be allowed to become a deciding factor in governance and legislating. The GOP is a parasite; voters either need to rid the country of it or allow themselves to be bled dry. Eventually, we will probably have a progressive faction split off from the Democratic Party, and the old-guard centrist Democrats will become a little more like the Eisenhower Republicans. And don't you dare say anything complimentary about Reagan, because he's the one that made overt appeals to the Evangelicals and started us on the path to where we are now.

[@fatesrequiem]

It’s the coalition that passed the new deal.

[@excalibur2024guy]

For me, it's watching them own up to their misdeeds.

[@jenniferhunter4074]

I don't. Conservative, to me, is parochial, ignorant, stupid, reactionary, incurious and extremely useful idiot. Look back and it's just slogans. Whenever you look at the policies or the results, it's garbage. It's short term layoffs rather than investment to make the business grow and be better. It's cashing your home equity for a vacation rather than using it to make smart fixes like a new roof. I mean, what does small government mean? What is good spending vs. bad spending? Does everything need to be profitable? How many lives should be sacrificed for the policy? How do we measure the results of the policy? Is it only economic or is it social where we look at quality of life standards? See... you don't get that kind of conversation at your little republican hangout. it's just "woke" this or "kitty litter" or '2nd amendment" but no real thinking. It's just unintelligent grunting. I'm the real conservative and that just means value investor. I'm long term investment and thinking.. not short term get rich quick scams. This is the crowd that wants to privative the USPS. (The same thing that USSR did at the end because it's great for vultures raiding the US and stealing all the wealth generating infrastructure. That's all that privatization does.) They want to repeal the ACA (but it's called Obamacare because the half wits are that easily fooled). Sure the ACA isn't all that but it's a hell of a lot better than pre-ACA. In the left, I see that value investor mindset. I see people who see problems and want to solve them. I see people who look at other countries and try to see how we can copy the best practice. Of course it usually fails because republicans constantly sabatoge theses things. So the Democrats might pass x legislation but the Republicans ensure a poison pill or that there isn't funding to really solve it. I don't get people who claim to be conservative. Conservatives have always been on the wrong side of history. It's so bad that your conservatives claim the progressives of he past as your heroes. I mean, party of Lincoln? Lincoln's republican party was THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY. The confederates were your party. You know.. the side that decided to start a war because they wanted to own people. Garbage. I mean, think of the dissonance of the so-called party of Lincoln honoring the enemy Confederates? No brains. Cons don't have brains. They're just criminals. Garbage criminals. Sorry.. not sorry. Facts exist. Not alternative facts like the republicans were pushing. Mentally ill. That's the culture of conservatism.

[@IamBrixTM]

From the origins of conservative thought, going waaay back to thinkers like the Godfather of conservatism, Edmund Burke and the like have their ideological roots in rejecting democracy. Conservatism will always at best have mixed feelings about democracy.

[@TheBenolan]

Trump did not change the Republican party; He simply accelerated them down the path they were already traveling. Being pro gun, pro corporation, anti minority, anti woman, and voter disenfranchisement were all familiar policy motivations before Trump.

[@goodun2974]

Don't forget anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-regulatory.

[@bobhookstratten9567]

And being shameless, loud-and-proud liars and gas-lighters

[@steeleru7burgh903]

I can't like this enough.

[@OBGynKenobi]

Pro Autocracy

[@Kari.F.]

You have a very good point there. I think someone like Trump was needed to get normal, decent, rational Republicans to really wake up to what the Republican party had spent decades working diligently towards becoming. Newt Gingrich and Mitch McConnell created the monster that Trump embraced and exposed. There's nothing new about white "Christian" Nationalism in the US. That's what the Nazis in the US called themselves in the 1930s and well into the 1950s, and it has been adopted by insane people with a fetish for violence against all people who are not white, straight (or at least closeted) males ever since. The Norwegian "Christian" Nationalist Anders Behring Breivik was heavily inspired by Timothy McVeigh. Behring Breivik was apparently the primary inspiration for Adam Lanza. It goes on and on... Christians who don't believe in the teachings of Christ are not faithful Christians. They are political Christians, and they clearly don't fear going to Hell like faithful Christians do.

[@ryanmiller6605]

I really have come to appreciate the Bulwark crew even when I don’t entirely agree with them.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Luckily they are mostly focused on this election and not a bunch of retrograde/reactionary right wing policy. Gay conservatives like Tim and Sarah are really odd to people who've always been " out", btw.

[@goodun2974]

Instead of wondering about "the future of American conservatism", they should be discussing whether conservatism is a failed ideology that should be abandoned. If they cannot see that the GOP has been headed here since the Nixon era, and that Reagan furthered the movement towards autocracy, we probably shouldn't be taking their advice.

[@MikiCab1]

Exactly. Could not have said it any better

[@goodun2974]

@@MikiCab1 , at this point, conservatives appear to have a terminal case of "sunk-cost fallacy". Or, as was said in olden days, "in for a penny, in for a pound". They're busily rearranging desk chairs on the Titanic!

[@medp5636]

Totally agree! Mike Lofgren stated this pretty succinctly. “There is no such thing as a conservative intellectual, it’s just apologetics for right wing power “. .

[@goodun2974]

@@medp5636 , " When conservatives realize that their ideology won't win elections, they won't give up on conservatism, they'll give up on democracy". David Frum

[@dragonbeardable]

DNC collapsed when they rejected having a primary and lied to the country for Bidens 4 years about his mental state. The DNC should be disbanded.

[@judykinsman3258]

At 77 & growing up in Jim Crow south, I have never seen a conservative platform that espoused civil rights for minorities. Remember when liberals lost the south because of equal rights & voting rights?

[@JR-pr8jb]

I grew up in 1950's-60's Jim Crow Florida, and always thought that conditions were gradually improving. But now it's clear, civil rights are being reversed under Desantis/GOP. We are in real trouble if we don't fight back hard.

[@mikelujanable]

The left created the KKK the right just wants left alone.

[@scotthullinger4684]

You have very obviously missed portions of history. Nobody is saying the Jim Crow south was not an American reality, but sane citizens managed to move far beyond such things, and enter the current century without bag loads of disbelief and racism. The current generation of Democrats - yes, Democrats - of course have NO interest in speaking highly of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and are every bit as RACIST as they've ever been.

[@KristieMAC1]

There is NO truth behind that! I cannot believe you lived through Jim Crow, and then now, you don't see that you are the 1st group that they are going after!! Yes, their main prey right now, is all the African Americans they can get! It's because these nasty people believe that when they win minorities over, they somehow believe that these people will all be molded into new Candace Owens's!!! That woman is so nasty, mean and bullying, she does not even see, how they changed her so much, and she actually takes that as their approval of her!!! (Very very wrong, and so sad!) They still can't stand her, behind her back!! I've heard them and seen them do it. And then, they use her and other minorities, to bring in more and more minorities! The other beautiful Black woman, Omarosa Manigault - they all did the same to her! They befriended her during the Apprentice, right before he ran for President. She helped him in campaign, she even briefly worked as some Aide in White House, for only a few months! Want to know why? They won, and they had her stay on, to look good, then, one day, she overheard Trump, and 2 others talking alone, and they freakin admitted it! Trump said to another, that the campaign only used her, and still are, to show there's no racism!!! Now she walked up to him, said she would tell the world about how disgusting he was, well they offered her some good $$ amount, to say she's resigning and not to talk of other.... Trump also threatened her, that if she changed her mind yrs later and want to tell the truth, 3 of the men there promised her that her son would be gone!!! Now finally after the NDA time went by, she wrote a book, and only told half way of how he really is. As they talk so nice to, or about a minority person, once that person leaves, they make fun of him/her. Please know this is their truth. Michael Cohen knows it. Rudy does. All of them. Most are same way.

[@KristieMAC1]

Also, Liberals went up north as well, through time, because they wanted to be with the more educated in the Country, then. Esp like Abe Lincoln.

[@jonmeador8637]

I didn't leave the Republican Party; it left me.

[@LolaLaRue-sq6jm]

The GOP has been the Racist Womanhaters Party since NIXON. Unless you left in 1969, you ARE the problem.

[@llh3025]

The parties inverted on many issues. War, free speech, bodily autonomy, patriotism, informed consent, women's rights...

[@shokuchideirdrecarrigan7402]

I didn’t leave the DNC, it left me.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Paul Ryan was JD Vance without the outwward weirdness.

[@nnonotnow]

Ayn Rand acolyte... Libertarian

[@coreymichaelsmovies6110]

Nah

[@2prettyfunnythings736]

Voted democrat always, Started listening to the Bulwark podcast/KZbin channel and have really enjoyed listening to the never trumpers. We are closer in our views and I appreciate being out of the liberal bubble and hearing only what I agree with. Sarah has a fantastic show called the Focus Group, it is extremely informative and difficult to listen but so informative.

[@thatmalcolmguy]

Tucker Carlson is the next MAGA nominee at the top of the ticket

[@kymbartley8104]

I can't wait to vote for Harris & Walz. It's time to get the extremists out of power. Hopefully, the Republican party will get back to decency and conservatism if t rump loses

[@goodun2974]

No, the Republican party as we once knew it, for better or worse (mostly worse), is gone; stick a fork in it, it's done. If they don't completely destroy themselves from internal infighting after losing the election in November, they will simply double down on their failed ideology and use the same tactics again (that's the definition of insanity), but probably with cleverer cult leaders, which is even more dangerous to democracy. " "When conservatives realize that their ideology won't win democratic elections, they won't give up on conservatism, they'll give up on democracy". David Frum

[@markoredano9141]

Trump 2024 is going to be epic.

[@steeleru7burgh903]

It won't

[@JR-pr8jb]

Sorry, but Trump, Heritage, and their MAGA legions are not about to let Harris/Walz take office. We libs/Dems do not appreciate the power of the enemy and our own passivity.

[@goodun2974]

@@steeleru7burgh903, the most likely "epic" we will experience in 2024 is Rump's epic meltdown when he loses again! 😉😁

[@zenithriding]

Glenn youngkin is a book burner just letting non Virginians know

[@johncahill3644]

At 71 I’ve been watching these same people lead us in this direction for generations. They have never espoused what I would argue is any version of healthy conservatism. They have always been in thrall to the rich and always been a little too gamey, too “ends justify the means”. That breeds corruption.

[@AlcasSin]

Trump is the logical end of conservative politics. Dobbs is not because of Trump, it is because of Bush too.

[@AlcasSin]

Plus neocons gave a spiritual ethics of having "our dictator" in other countries. They just don't like having "pro-russian dictator" in their country.

[@goodun2974]

The Pugs been headed here since the Nixon era. The last decent Republican president we had was Eisenhower. Reagan made overt appeals to the Evangelicals and set us on the course to where we now find ourselves. Don't let the never-tRumpers fool you either, because they are on board with about 95 % of everything that tRump (and the conservative-skewed courts) has done. Tax breaks for Billionaires? Check. Banning abortion? Check. Dismantling regulatory agencies? Check. Allowing corporate America to monopolize, price-gouge and pollute at will? Check. Given the chance, they'll abolish unions, repeal the ACA, and privatize Social Security and the Post Office. *They cannot be trusted*. Not ever.

[@steeleru7burgh903]

Reagan let all those Evangelicals in the party!

[@goodun2974]

@@steeleru7burgh903 , yup, he openly appealed to the Evangelicals, setting the stage for where we find ourselves now.

[@LolaLaRue-sq6jm]

This started with NIXON. A blatant bigot, war monger and CROOK. The last good Republican was Eisenhower.

[@hotmessjess1849]

What a relief to see an example of sane conservativism, even if I don’t agree on policy. What a nation we could have if the two parties could work together in good faith.

[@llh3025]

Bill Kristol is still insane.

[@ATLmodK]

I’m a Progressive, and I would be so happy to see a sane conservative party come back. I would like to be able to have intelligent discussion return to politics.

[@excalibur2024guy]

But conservatives will prevent you from getting what you want.

[@dragonbeardable]

Intelligent discussion like made up pronouns?

[@methos-ey9nf]

@@dragonbeardablewhat’s a man?

[@DaveRobbinzz]

Gingrich in the 1990s, and the turn under his leadership to treating the opposition party as "enemies" and calling them the "Democrat Party". That's when it started, and the mainstream GOP went along since they were competitive in elections. That is when it started in my opinion.

[@joandempsey4652]

Me too. I remember being shocked by the evil of Newt Gingrich and now the Republicans are fifty times worse.

[@IamBrixTM]

They seem decent but wrong. Trump is NOT a break in the conservative tradition. He IS the conservative tradition only more so. They always at best, had mixed feelings on democracy. The origins of conservative thought going way back to Burke, and others, was rooted in defense of Monarchy. Maintaining hierarchy/tradition and defending the powerful. Trump took the ideology to its logical conclusion. Ronald Reagan, the Bush family, and whatnot were headed there already. If anything ESPECIALLY Reagan. Very similar to Trump. They seem like okay people but are necessarily just saving the face of toxic conservative politics.

[@LarryVanFleet]

Bill C. Did you know about America First all along and you did what you did any way, or did you recently learn?

[@goodun2974]

I long to see him grilled over his involvement with the Project for the New American Century.

[@aimeegeorge7113]

Do they have (1) the will and (2) the courage to abandon the Southern Strategy? Do they have anything to replace it?

[@ruchpat1]

I’m not a Republican nor a Conservative but this is well done.

[@Dmanz67]

I can't believe these people are still so naive about what they were involved in.🤔

[@mikequinlivan8842]

When you work for something for so long, it’s tough to confront what has been wrong with it, especially in your mind. It’s a lot like religion, or a cult or whatnot. Saying that it was damaging or wrong takes away: a huge part of your life, possibly friends, or even family members.

[@mdog6726]

Burisma.

[@mjeffn2]

I truly appreciate The Bullwark’s efforts to save democracy, but it’s like listening to one of the pieces of bread argue that the peanut butter doesn’t have anything to do with the other piece of bread.

[@FlorianElbers]

Please explain for a German: Why don't conservative Americans start a new party?

[@sarahsanford3682]

Because our two party system has made it excessively hard to create a third party. But I think (and hope) there will be a more moderate centrist party emerging by the next election.

[@weirdwilliam8500]

Third parties are impossible in the US. There is no parliament style sharing of representation based on the proportion of votes you get. Under 51% you get nothing, so only two parties can ever be viable.

[@Dmanz67]

Any conservative party needs the racists and lunatics to get elected, they subtlely cater to them. They cannot possibly win without them. MAGA has these people completely loyal to them.

[@excalibur2024guy]

That would involve change.

[@gsmith6595]

Money, money money....the money to do something or the money that is given to prevent something. America is owned by corporations now, citizens United, the SCOTUS that is owned by those corporate owners, our media that is owned by corporate heads with their own agendas.

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

Question for William Kristol: is it true that you were the one who recommended to President GHW Bush that he appoint Clarence Thomas to SCOTUS?

[@Dwah-j6h]

Progressives are not what Sarah says. They are leaders who see issues and problems to solve for the American people. Reagan changed and killed a lot of good things-labor unions, living wages, protected pensions, regulations for out of control corporations, competition. ….. Now, Sarah, I really like and respect you. But, please think about your perception of liberals, progressives, democrats, or whatever label you want to give us.

[@goodun2974]

@@Dwah-j6h , Reagan also overtly appealed to Evangelicals and brought Christian Nationalism into the Republican party.

[@edwardharvey7687]

Sarah is an irrational liberal hater from way back. She used to pretend that liberalism was mental disease. Her opinions are highly suspect.

[@gignock]

Came here to say the same thing. When she says “conservatism is conserving what was good and progressive is progress at any cost” it really shows a misunderstanding of progressivism. Progressives don’t want to fix things that aren’t broken or have progress for progress sake. Social security is good, keep it. The FDIC is good, keep it. But there is still clear and demonstrable racial discrimination in hiring practices, so that needs to be fixed. Businesses call their employees “independent contractors” to circumvent labor laws, that needs to be fixed. It’s just like Tina Fey said in 30 Rock - “You’re surprised I love America? Just because I think we should all have free healthcare and gay dudes should be allowed to get married doesn’t mean I don’t love America.”

[@ivoted-5489]

It’s a grand example of how they are still grappling with what they were taught vs what is happening.

[@goodun2974]

@@ivoted-5489 , Seeing things truly as they are now would require a tacit admission that their ideology is bogus and they themselves are complicit in the ruination of our political system. Recognizing and confronting that type of cognitive dissonance is not for the faint of heart, and most people, regressives (conservatives) in particular, aren't psychologically or temperamental suited for it.

[@jw5077-h4y]

Tim, Sarah and Bill! We’re only missing JVL.

[@excalibur2024guy]

It's cringey when I hear JVL call someone his best friend, but they never refer to him like that. I'm not surprised that he's not there.

[@Leftistattheparty]

I dont think conservatives have changed. I think Republicans have changed ideologies into fascism as an umbrella term. I used to be a liberal but my opinions changed and now im a libertarian socialist. Just because i change doesnt mean liberalism has changed. JD Vance runs in the same circles as Curtis Yarvin, who describes himself as a neo monarchist, who wants basically small corporate monarchists.

[@nnonotnow]

Libertarian socialist is an oxymoron. Most of the dark money in this election is from libertarians

[@gsmith6595]

Interesting

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

I think one thing is for sure, the future is not the Bulwark or neocons.

[@benjaminstepaniak8878]

Bill reminds me of a very conservative, very concerned Tim Walz.

[@goodun2974]

He sure wasn't concerned with potential excess of Republican power when he co-signed the manifesto put out by the Project for the New American Century, a Manifest Destiny-style proposal for extending American power throughout the world by military intervention, which was distributed to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Armed Services Committee, and influential conservatives in Congress in 1998. Other signatories included Dick Cheney, Ashcroft, Rumsfeld, Bremer, Wolfowitz and Perle. 9/11 gave them the excuse they needed to start implementing their plans.

[@justgivemethetruth]

that's weird

[@benjaminstepaniak8878]

@goodun2974 The man's literature isn't saintly indeed, but I am at least grateful that he recognized the dangerous path that he contributed to, which gave us Trumpism. I'm not saying Bill's now, miraculously, exonerated by us on the left, but I want to recognize that he had the courage and principle to take a stand. For that, he has my thanks.

[@benjaminstepaniak8878]

@goodun2974 I also want to point out that while Bill did his very best to consolidate republican strength and was hawkish as hell, he was also following in the footsteps of Reagan's political philosophy. I bet he never expected a man like Trump to come into his party and exploit the pathway to power that was laid down. We can point fingers and relitigate our past differences, or we can recognize that DESPITE our political differences, now is the time to unite. I'm sure Bill is uncomfortable with how socialist his new allies are, too.

[@pcbacklash_3261]

A great discussion with a panel of some of my favorite political commentators, but I wish it would have shown up in my queue four weeks ago!

[@Sarah-re7cg]

Sarah, your hair looks 🔥 🔥

[@alicedavi1747]

Fantastic!!!

[@jolness1]

HOLY SHIT BILL, TIM AND SARAH!!

[@Gnofg]

I live in GA. Brian Kemp is putrid.

[@rexcandy]

Pat Buchanan somebody needs to say the name

[@goodun2974]

@@rexcandy , For younger generations not familiar, Pat Buchanan once gave a speech at the RNC so inflammatory and fash-adjacent that journalist Molly Ivins quipped "it must have sounded better in the original German". (Molly Ivins was a wonderfully funny, tough, and warm-hearted writer from Texas who spoke truth to power; ee have a Lab mix we rescued from Texas, a tough but sweet little thing that we named Molly in Ms Ivins honor).

[@leahashcroft9547]

Harris is being a centrist, which is great!

[@llh3025]

She's a chameleon.

[@shokuchideirdrecarrigan7402]

Harris is 100% Woke. That is not centrist.

[@cyrneco]

Nah. Cons created trump, that's your baby.

[@hoplitnet]

so rare to hear reasonably sensible conservatives any more; although the overton window has gone so right, everyone here is considered a woke liberal by the magas

[@pg-mr7uc]

You have to acknowledge Kamala Harris is not running today how she ran in 2019. She’s been forced to move to the Right on nearly every issue. You people went insane in 2019-2020 and nobody wants to stick by all your side’s claims during then anymore

[@nathanngumi8467]

Great episode!

[@cfountain72]

Mr. Kristol, while I appreciate your work with The Bulwark, your continued support of the disastrous Iraq War will forever negatively color my view of you. After everything we know now, do you still support it?

[@pageljazz]

Sarah is pretty cool. She has the most contagious laugh in politics.

[@luskvideoproductions869]

"Conan...did you say 'The future?'" lol

[@ulaanbataar4479]

Greetings from Italy! The next leadership contest will be between Vance and Tucker Carlson

[@Relacks27]

Did we all go through the looking glass? When did the Atlantic magazine hire the Weekly Standard?

[@cameronmurie]

It's all very clear and re-assuring: The Future of American Conservative Values is safe at the bosom of Democracy - which is to say the Democratic Center. Which is to say the Democratic Party. Where else would it be? If Harris is elected it will be because she is understood to represent the Extreme Center.

[@sandracawthern327]

That’s why I’m voting for the person not the party this time

[@Relacks27]

Not one word about Iraq; unreal

[@cemangan]

Sarah Longwell's laugh! Evan Scott's hair? Tim Miller's mic. Bill Kristol. But mostly Sarah Longwell's laugh.

[@Frisbieinstein]

I once heard Noam Chomsky declare himself a conservative.

[@yvonneplant9434]

The future of it? 😂 How about understanding what century this is to start. They want to resurrect the past too. We are not going back to what ever magical time they love.

[@gsmith6595]

The only thing I will accept from the "great" time period they want is the 70%+ tax on the wealthiest and corporations

[@prettyhatemachine101]

Sarah Longwell looking like Jennifer Aniston from her Friends days! That hair girlfriend is looking FYERRR 🔥

[@guymontag1427]

Contservatism. F’n up elections for Georgia.

[@monikarathbone3478]

are you connected to the heritage foundation or the federalist foundation and are you getting into the faith of the population

[@disastrousemouse]

No, this current version of the Republican Party is the natural progression of the conservatism I’ve known my whole life. The Charismatic Leader is a new development this go around, but this is where capitalism and conservatism will always end up when given free rein.

[@xXwikiwiki001Xx]

need to see evan try a steve carrell impression. anyone else hear it?

[@pg-mr7uc]

Bulwark symposiums with The Atlantic feels like the perfect ethos of the brand. These 3 have very little conservative bones in their body at this point. Nobody on the Right takes them seriously. What is the point of this?

[@jamesknudsen1852]

To be fair, "Bush" does have four letters.

[@texaslocoman1]

Barry Goldwater be shaking in his grave

[@monikarathbone3478]

are you concerned about immigration, education, health care issues. Can conservatives accept that top down economy does not work? Are you with NATO, ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE TO GOVERNMENTBY AND FOR THE PEOPLE are you supporting the Supreme Court on immunity for the President. Democracy is my foundation. Would you support project 2025

[@tarabartee3424]

A 20 something and I had a conversation yesterday. She told me she doesn't vote. After we talked a bit, she still said she wouldn't vote. I was very gentle with her. I didn't put her in corner. We talked for 2-3 minutes. I am glad she won't be voting.

[@yeshua64]

Nick fuentes, Tucker Carlson, and Alex Jones

[@randstahl4869]

Progressivism, Liberalism, Conservativism, and Trumpism hints towards a para-accurate delineation of contemporary US political spectrum.

[@BrendaAlbertz]

I miss the rational republicans

[@sandracawthern327]

Tim’s Pearls?

[@wagtag_]

JVL not invited

[@justgivemethetruth]

So, what is going on with Pat Buchannan? Is the alive still?

[@goodun2974]

@@justgivemethetruth , I don't know his current status, but I think he was dead inside even when he was alive.....

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@goodun2974 I used to the watch the McLauglin Group and Pat's BS fascist take was always a big downer.

[@goodun2974]

@@justgivemethetruth , after a speech by Buchanan at the RNC, journalist Molly Ivins quipped "it must have sounded better in the original German ". (Molly was wonderful; she would have been horrified by MAGA, but reading what she would have say about Rumpie would have been a treat!)

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@goodun2974 Haha, I remember that. I wonder if anyone remembers Molly. Our Liberal representatives like Molly Ivins, or ... the guy with the cowboy hat ???? - Jim Hightower ... or Thom Hartmann are weak and pathetic, but they can be entertaining and funny.

[@Gzluweez]

Republicans aren’t conservative and democrats aren’t democratic, so how do I vote?

[@justgivemethetruth]

Kristol looks so bored.

[@craigbenz4835]

One good thing Trump did was end dynastic Presidental politics. At least I hope he did. No more multiple Bushes or Clintons. I hope this election is the end of him, but that was an accomplisment.

[@jolness1]

Idk we could easily see his kids in office, sadly.

[@AlcasSin]

Funny thing to say, have you checked what is the role of Lara Trump?

[@goodun2974]

The only response that Republicans, and conservatives in general , and the Trump family in particular know, is to double down on their failed tactics and disproven ideas. It's the very definition of insanity, and yet there are millions of damaged people in this country who will sign up for it over and over. "When conservatives realize that their ideology won't win democratic elections, they won't give up on conservatism, they'll give up on democracy". David Frum

[@stineagerbk9234]

man litterally put his unqualified kids into positions of power, so... not really sure about that.

[@scottsammons7747]

I could go for Margaret Hoover. Perhaps another Roosevelt? While I do not want a ruling class to be firmly established, there is something to be said for the education involved in multigenerational focus on a craft. The fifth generation boatbuilder, farmer, baker, or mechanic is often broader experienced than the bright first generation craftsman. Subtle understandings are often passes on.

[@llh3025]

I'm voting for freedom of speech. Trump/Vance 2024.

[@jdarst100]

You are in a cult

[@llh3025]

@@jdarst100 Biden is anti-free speech.

[@llh3025]

@@jdarst100 Democrats censor speech.

[@FullChick-h4l]

Young Scott Williams George White Jeffrey

[@pamlewis1183]

I absolutely loved Ronnie Reagan! No doubt about it! 🇺🇸

[@goodun2974]

Ronald Reagan was a creep, representing a triumph of image over substance. It was he who made overt appeals to the Evangelicals as a voting bloc in order to gain power and thereby setting us on the path to where we find ourselves today; he wasn't even a "believer", he was just an actor looking for an audience. He used American military power indiscriminately, starting low-level conflicts all over the world, toppling governments; sold guns and munitions to Iran to finance querilla warfare in Central America; and ignored the AIDS crisis here at home. His administration supplied the mujahideen in Afghanistan with weapons to fight the Soviets but as soon as the conflict wound down, we pulled out of the region, refusing to supply humanitarian aid (no modern Marshall Plan for that beleaguered region) and left the devastated, war-torn country to fight amongst itself, which led to the rise of the Taliban (times of extreme crisis invariably provide opportunity for the very worst to seize power). Reagan's presidency wasn't all bad, but the bad was very bad indeed. I strongly suggest you read "tear down this myth" by Will Bunch which goes into all of it: the good, the bad and the truly ugly. "Ghost Wars" by Steve Coll is another good one.

[@ericdaniel323]

Reagan ruined everything.

[@steeleru7burgh903]

Reagan is a huge reason we are where we are now!!!!

[@goodun2974]

@@pamlewis1183 , Reagan started the whole trickledown BS of giving tax cuts to billionaires, created military conflicts in a half-dozen sovereign nations, sold weapons to Iran, repealed the Fairness Doctrine that had required broadcast airtime for dissenting views, fired striking airport controllers, ignored the AIDS crisis...... to name just a few.

[@excalibur2024guy]

Did you love him during the Iran Contra scandal?

[@juventinocasillas3023]

Sarah has such an annoying laugh.

[@maxranger5710]

Nothing makes me want to vote for trump more than hearing centrists worried about how he won’t be competent enough to maintain American hegemony

[@user-jy8zb2wc8l]

Trump represents an even more extreme American hegemony