Three more candidates have entered the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination this week. Former vice president Mike Pence, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, and current North Dakota governor Doug Burgum join former South Carolina governor and Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, South Carolina senator Tim Scott, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, as well as a few others and former president Donald Trump in their hope of winning the nomination.
Timothy Snyder on Russia and Ukraine, and can we say world and national politics…
“Objectivity does not mean treating an event as a coin flip between two public statements,” he said. “It demands thinking about the objects and the settings that readers require for understanding amidst uncertainty.” Thinking about the world of tfg and his neverending press, free publicity that kept him in the limelight. We need facts and context and history to make informed decisions, which we read every day in HCR, LFAA.
As a Democrat, I'm focussing less on the Republican candidates and more on dangers to Biden and Harris. The most dangerous is the group called "no labels" which is funded by right wingers with very deep pockets. Some people might be fooled into thinking this is a genuine alternative to both parties, but it will only leach votes away from Biden.
The other problem is Robert Kennedy, Jr. His name recognition is bringing him some support, but unlike his father, he's radically anti-science and modern medicine. The race is going to be tough enough as it is and a Trump, DeSantis, or most of the current candidates, will work to undo all the good things that Biden has managed to do.
“Journalism 101: If someone says it’s raining and another person says it’s dry, it’s not your job to quote them both. Your job is to look out the effing window and find out which is true.”
I heard some interesting polling numbers tonight: While Republicans as a whole think an indictment on any of the serious charges being investigated *should* bar Trump from holding office as President, a staggering 46% of likely primary voting Republicans do not. Given how many candidates are in the field, that means that, at this time, Trump is likely to get the party nomination. That also means that activists in the Republican Party are almost diametrically opposed to the majority of its members. Should Trump or any of his wannabes not get the nomination, the possibility exists of a more moderate Republican candidate victory. The problem with that is that politics today operates along strict party lines, and even a moderate will be beholden to more rabid members of their party. We see the truth of that in McCarthy's situation in the House. Campaign finance reform, anyone? Going once, going twice...
How thrilling to be visiting the west coast (I live on the East) and in addition to dipping my toes into the Pacific for the first time in my 61 years, I can be one of the first commenters. Back home I never stay up late enough to see Heather’s letter til next morning .
I’m just as glad my own governor, Slippery Sununu, has decided not to run this time after all. But I don’t trust him a bit, never have. Having just said in February that he’s vote for Trump should he be the 2024 nominee, now he’s got all sorts of things to say about why the party must move away from him. It’s clear that in his travels around the country seeking favor and advice from potential donors instead of governing our state , he’s decided the next move is to build his brand as the Reasonable Republican. He even has the gall to say this week that every time a Republican opens their mouth about abortion restrictions, it makes another Independent vote for a Democrat. He who signed NH’s first modern abortion restrictions into law! Don’t fall for it !
Wow. Heather, since you wrote this letter, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell had Trump’s just-resigned lawyer (for the documents case) on his show tonight. Almost the full second half of the show. Holy-moly: What a contentious and intense confrontation between two very smart people. Listening, we get a window into some of the defense’s arguments sure to be raised at trial. Trump’s lawyers are going to muddy the waters in court big time and try to confuse the jury every which way. I learned a whole lot and recommend viewing this toe-to-toe highly. I trust Jack Smith’s prosecutors will be replaying the interview, too. Very enlightening.
Thank you as always for your sanity, Heather. This plethora of GOP candidates does not bode well for a cessation of infighting. That killed the Dems several times in my lifetime, and I am guessing that the shoe is now on another foot.
Also, after you posted tonight’s letter, let it be noted that a story broke that Trump has been notified that he is a “target” of the Special Counsel for indictment. This story has been now confirmed by multiple news sources, including the NYT.
Thank you for all the cogent summaries, and today especially for giving a wider circulation to Prof. Snyder's comments on the role of responsible journalists in describing more fully the context and history when reporting that "both sides" have taken a position.
Shame on Nicky Haley (real name: Nimarata Nikki Randhawa Haley) for her horrible comments. Saying gender confusion / issues is why teenage girl suicides are so high. No. Girls have anxiety because their rights, bodies and freedoms are being usurped, anxiety because the planet is dying, anxiety because of gun violence and racism ++.
Heather, how you manage to complete this blog sometimes seems like a miracle! And I appreciate all the time and work you put into it. I never imagined the GOP would go into such fits of madness. I remember where Jared was the week before Trump to office. Jared was visiting his father in prison for fraud. And now, he and his wife have 'disappeared. I would say that the GOP campaign is based on ramping up fear. Of separation.. And meanwhile, the forests are burning. And gun sale in America are making huge profits.. It feels like it's people who've become the weapons of mass destruction.
Thank you for this very informative piece, Dr, Richardson. If Trump is indicted and convicted before November 2024, it will be a whole new game for the GOP. If Trump is still in limbo, a large number of opponents will push him into the lead. Whatever happens Democrats need to rally behind our very competent, and very successful President Biden, and do everything in our power to get out the vote.
I hope the journalists listen to Snyder and publish only the truth. Putin is in the same class as Trump, perennial liars. They lie so instinctively, they believe their own lies are the truth.
Timothy Snyder on Russia and Ukraine, and can we say world and national politics…
“Objectivity does not mean treating an event as a coin flip between two public statements,” he said. “It demands thinking about the objects and the settings that readers require for understanding amidst uncertainty.” Thinking about the world of tfg and his neverending press, free publicity that kept him in the limelight. We need facts and context and history to make informed decisions, which we read every day in HCR, LFAA.
A Heather Cox Richardson piece that gives the final word to Timothy Snyder! What more could anyone ask for!
As a Democrat, I'm focussing less on the Republican candidates and more on dangers to Biden and Harris. The most dangerous is the group called "no labels" which is funded by right wingers with very deep pockets. Some people might be fooled into thinking this is a genuine alternative to both parties, but it will only leach votes away from Biden.
The other problem is Robert Kennedy, Jr. His name recognition is bringing him some support, but unlike his father, he's radically anti-science and modern medicine. The race is going to be tough enough as it is and a Trump, DeSantis, or most of the current candidates, will work to undo all the good things that Biden has managed to do.
“Journalism 101: If someone says it’s raining and another person says it’s dry, it’s not your job to quote them both. Your job is to look out the effing window and find out which is true.”
I heard some interesting polling numbers tonight: While Republicans as a whole think an indictment on any of the serious charges being investigated *should* bar Trump from holding office as President, a staggering 46% of likely primary voting Republicans do not. Given how many candidates are in the field, that means that, at this time, Trump is likely to get the party nomination. That also means that activists in the Republican Party are almost diametrically opposed to the majority of its members. Should Trump or any of his wannabes not get the nomination, the possibility exists of a more moderate Republican candidate victory. The problem with that is that politics today operates along strict party lines, and even a moderate will be beholden to more rabid members of their party. We see the truth of that in McCarthy's situation in the House. Campaign finance reform, anyone? Going once, going twice...
How thrilling to be visiting the west coast (I live on the East) and in addition to dipping my toes into the Pacific for the first time in my 61 years, I can be one of the first commenters. Back home I never stay up late enough to see Heather’s letter til next morning .
I’m just as glad my own governor, Slippery Sununu, has decided not to run this time after all. But I don’t trust him a bit, never have. Having just said in February that he’s vote for Trump should he be the 2024 nominee, now he’s got all sorts of things to say about why the party must move away from him. It’s clear that in his travels around the country seeking favor and advice from potential donors instead of governing our state , he’s decided the next move is to build his brand as the Reasonable Republican. He even has the gall to say this week that every time a Republican opens their mouth about abortion restrictions, it makes another Independent vote for a Democrat. He who signed NH’s first modern abortion restrictions into law! Don’t fall for it !
Totally agree with Timothy Snyder! I've noticed that news networks are giving Russia too much air/excuse time!
Wow. Heather, since you wrote this letter, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell had Trump’s just-resigned lawyer (for the documents case) on his show tonight. Almost the full second half of the show. Holy-moly: What a contentious and intense confrontation between two very smart people. Listening, we get a window into some of the defense’s arguments sure to be raised at trial. Trump’s lawyers are going to muddy the waters in court big time and try to confuse the jury every which way. I learned a whole lot and recommend viewing this toe-to-toe highly. I trust Jack Smith’s prosecutors will be replaying the interview, too. Very enlightening.
Thank you for another thoughtful account of the current firehose of news.
Thank you as always for your sanity, Heather. This plethora of GOP candidates does not bode well for a cessation of infighting. That killed the Dems several times in my lifetime, and I am guessing that the shoe is now on another foot.
Also, after you posted tonight’s letter, let it be noted that a story broke that Trump has been notified that he is a “target” of the Special Counsel for indictment. This story has been now confirmed by multiple news sources, including the NYT.
Thank you for all the cogent summaries, and today especially for giving a wider circulation to Prof. Snyder's comments on the role of responsible journalists in describing more fully the context and history when reporting that "both sides" have taken a position.
My last read for the day. TY HCR.
What a roster of losers.
Shame on Nicky Haley (real name: Nimarata Nikki Randhawa Haley) for her horrible comments. Saying gender confusion / issues is why teenage girl suicides are so high. No. Girls have anxiety because their rights, bodies and freedoms are being usurped, anxiety because the planet is dying, anxiety because of gun violence and racism ++.
Lets hope we all can breathe easier tomorrow.
Heather, how you manage to complete this blog sometimes seems like a miracle! And I appreciate all the time and work you put into it. I never imagined the GOP would go into such fits of madness. I remember where Jared was the week before Trump to office. Jared was visiting his father in prison for fraud. And now, he and his wife have 'disappeared. I would say that the GOP campaign is based on ramping up fear. Of separation.. And meanwhile, the forests are burning. And gun sale in America are making huge profits.. It feels like it's people who've become the weapons of mass destruction.
Bye bye Lichtspittle. Now all we have to do is get rid of Zaslav.
Thank you for this very informative piece, Dr, Richardson. If Trump is indicted and convicted before November 2024, it will be a whole new game for the GOP. If Trump is still in limbo, a large number of opponents will push him into the lead. Whatever happens Democrats need to rally behind our very competent, and very successful President Biden, and do everything in our power to get out the vote.
I hope the journalists listen to Snyder and publish only the truth. Putin is in the same class as Trump, perennial liars. They lie so instinctively, they believe their own lies are the truth.