Tim, this article is extraordinary, and extraordinarily excellent. I did not know any of this about Adams, and you have informed me. I knew something about Jefferson but not the parts in this piece. And you have put our recent and present situation into the thoughts and writings of two brilliant people who had a lot of experience of government. Thank you very much.
"Even the many Trump voters who pulled the lever for him in 2024 while disapproving of his personal behavior tend to envy the man."
I think that there is more to Trump's appeal. His followers do not merely envy the man, they ADORE him. He is the crystallized epitome of their belief system. In their belief silo he is the bond that pulls them together and creates a rave in which his true believers experience unaltered joy. No other will do. Ron DeSantis, JD, even Elon? No way. When Trump passes into the great beyond his cult will mourn. He will not be replaceable. Another messiah will eventually evolve, but this moment in time will never again be the same for Trump's cult. And it is difficult to pry cult members from their beliefs. Unpersuasive and ineffective are logical argument and rationale.
The most recent total (which I think is all certified, at this point?) has him at 49.74%, short of a majority.
No Republican has won a majority since Bush in 2004 (and his was only 50.7%, whereas Obama got more than 52 in 2008, and still more than 51 in 2012). The last convincing majority for a Republican was Bush the Elder with over 53% in '88.
I bet if 5 million people show up peacefully in Washington d c and "directly" told their senators and represantives what to do they would do it , even elected lazy, sleepy old people will get off their couches and do your bidding. As far as the lobbies, lawyers , self interest billionaires,, don't worry,, it's those on the couch that count ,, it's their jobs at stake if they want to keep them .
Tim, this article is extraordinary, and extraordinarily excellent. I did not know any of this about Adams, and you have informed me. I knew something about Jefferson but not the parts in this piece. And you have put our recent and present situation into the thoughts and writings of two brilliant people who had a lot of experience of government. Thank you very much.
Agreed. This essay was most enlightening.
Thanks to you both!
"Even the many Trump voters who pulled the lever for him in 2024 while disapproving of his personal behavior tend to envy the man."
I think that there is more to Trump's appeal. His followers do not merely envy the man, they ADORE him. He is the crystallized epitome of their belief system. In their belief silo he is the bond that pulls them together and creates a rave in which his true believers experience unaltered joy. No other will do. Ron DeSantis, JD, even Elon? No way. When Trump passes into the great beyond his cult will mourn. He will not be replaceable. Another messiah will eventually evolve, but this moment in time will never again be the same for Trump's cult. And it is difficult to pry cult members from their beliefs. Unpersuasive and ineffective are logical argument and rationale.
"he did win a (slim) popular-vote majority" -- Plurality, not majority.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_presidential_election#Results
The most recent total (which I think is all certified, at this point?) has him at 49.74%, short of a majority.
No Republican has won a majority since Bush in 2004 (and his was only 50.7%, whereas Obama got more than 52 in 2008, and still more than 51 in 2012). The last convincing majority for a Republican was Bush the Elder with over 53% in '88.
I wrote that he won the popular vote. Did an editor sneak in mention of a majority? If so I’ll fix!
Current text of this Substack post includes, "Look, I understand, Trump’s going to be president, and he did win a (slim) popular-vote majority."
I bet if 5 million people show up peacefully in Washington d c and "directly" told their senators and represantives what to do they would do it , even elected lazy, sleepy old people will get off their couches and do your bidding. As far as the lobbies, lawyers , self interest billionaires,, don't worry,, it's those on the couch that count ,, it's their jobs at stake if they want to keep them .
Good luck America
Have a great day my friends