Roundup
(1) There’s a new IRS whistleblower on the effort to stifle the Hunter Biden tax investigation.
(2) North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has declared a state emergency in order to stop the North Carolina legislature – controlled by Republicans – from voting on school vouchers. I guess an emergency is whatever a Democrat says it is, and it’s an emergency when the public school unions are in danger of being thwarted.
(3) The word is that DeSantis will be declaring his candidacy tomorrow.
(4) Andrew C. McCarthy asks – and answers – the question of why there’s been no special counsel appointed in the Hunter Biden investigation.
(5) Another indictment may be in the works for Trump, this time in connection with the Mar-Al-Lago raid.
Good grief.
it’s as legit as a writ from the sheriff of nottingham, totes true,
the fact that there is testimony, no one can track if a document has been mislaid over the last 40 years, well that’s also fine,
“(3) The word is that DeSantis will be declaring his candidacy tomorrow.”
I will vote for the Republican candidate in the General Election – even if it is DeSantis – and for Trump in the primary. My opposition to DeSantis in the primaries can be summed up with these three points: Dishonest, Distraction, and Doctrine.
1) Dishonest: DeSantis was required by state law to resign as governor if he wished to run for another office (letter & spirit). Yet he did not do so despite the fact that he has clearly been running for President for months and months. And he did not do so despite the fact that the Republican Lt Gov. would succeed him if he did resign.
The significance of his actions is even more critical now that It has become clear that the USA has a two-tiered justice system – and some are “above the law”.
2) Distraction: I support many of the positions/ actions that DeSantis has taken. Just like I support many of the positions/ actions that other Governors have taken – often under more difficult circumstances (see Youngkin in VA).
Yet my respect for DeSantis has declined for the simple reason that he and his staff do not appear to respect the public. They behave as if we do not understand the difference between “shiny objects” and substance. And they behave as if we do not understand that he is using his office as Governor to primarily promote DeSantis – versus to primarily care for the citizens of FL – even if the citizens receive some benefit too.
DeSantis’ use of Florida’ Governor office to promote himself will only increase – what would he be without his “distraction pulpit” – which is why he refused to honor the letter & spirit of the law. Which is why he refuses to let Florida have a FT governor.
3) Doctrine: It is not DeSantis fault that the responsibilities of a state Executive (Governor) are not as complex or challenging as those of the federal Executive (President). Nor is it his fault that his cumulative experiences to date do not match those of someone who has held the federal Executive office. Yet a “bushel basket” of distractions – while necessary or useful – is not the makings of a Presidential Doctrine.
“Make America Great Again” was the makings of the most consequential Presidential Doctrine in our lifetimes: Economic Security is National Security. DeSantis has nothing comparable – the makings – and to date has not demonstrated that he ever will. **
** = To be fair, most Presidential candidates and Presidents have not either; yet, that is the bar that must be cleared now.
***
Name the three most consequential Presidents in your lifetime; then name their Presidential Doctrine.
well the kulturkampf that the left wages through corporations and media, through the ring of the cei score, the serfs collar that has been pressed upon the brow of the body politic through the vaccine mandate, and the writ of dissolution of law and order, are those not significant,
this forever war and a day, that has no resolution, that renders our citizens less safe, with the collusion of big tech and the intelligence services, this seemly sysgy those are matters of note,
Gov. Cooper’s “state of emergency” is rhetorical only. He has not issued any executive order. This is merely his campaign to prevent the legislature from overriding a veto on the Opportunity Scholarship program’s expansion. He wants children to be forced to stay in state-funded schools. His campaign to stop the override on his veto of the 12-week abortion bill failed. This one will fail also, I believe, because the program is widely popular.
https://www.carolinajournal.com/cooper-declares-state-of-emergency-over-k-12-public-education-funding/
The three most consequential Presidents in my lifetime:
1. Eisenhower. Doctrine: Fight the Cold War (resist Communism); make America strong and prosperous.
2. Reagan. Doctrine: Win the Cold War (defeat Communism); make America stronger and more prosperous.
3. Trump. Doctrine: Fight the Deep State (the Left); make America Great Again.
A possibly more interesting list would be the three most negatively consequential presidents. My vote: Johnson, Obama, Biden.
Kate. That’s good to know. I can’t imagine the constitutional crisis that would happen if a governor tries to circumvent the legislation via executive emergency decree. But given how the Ds don’t give a rat’s ass for any constitution, I’m surprised he hasn’t gone ahead.
physicsguy and Kate,
I don’t have to imagine. I lived through the flood of Executive actions governors made during the Covid19 outbreak.
too clever by half
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/05/23/prince-harry-loses-second-legal-challenge-home-office/
Well, yes, Rufus, and Gov. Cooper was as bad as several other governors on lockdowns and restrictions — except during the George Floyd riots, in which he appeared in downtown Raleigh with protesters and no mask. The NC governor does have the power to declare health and disaster emergencies, but there’s no power to declare an emergency over what the elected legislature is doing.
I agree with ‘that guy’ on most of his points, except I do not support Trump as my first choice in the primaries. I don’t have a first choice, as yet, but it’s becoming more clear that DeSantis should stay in Florida, doing great things there. He’s a treasure there; pursuing the white whale of the Presidency is a waste of his time and talents.
As to Cooper in North Carolina….pure theatrics. Many prominent Democrats realize Slo Joe may not be able to sustain himself in even the muted, protected cocoon he has, into a re-election campaign. In such an increasingly plausible scenario, Newsom is the shadow front runner, but Cooper clearly is positioning himself too.
DeSantis 2024.
I agree 100% with that guy at 6:32 pm
The US govt. is really no different than that of any corrupt banana republic.
Instead of aiming to line one’s pockets with drug money and payoffs from drug cartels, the dems in govt (either elected or life long bureaucrats) are scheming – and succeeding – in gaining absolute power and arranging the deck chairs such that their opponents (that would be republicans, who excel at talk, but receive a grade of (F minus)^50 in term of actually doing something) will never again represent a threat to their power dominance.
The non-existent “investigation” of the biden pay-off scam is no different than the “investigations” of the Hilary slush fund scam or Trump Russia scam, the latter which has produced zero indictments and zero punishments despite ample evidence of wrong doing.
And for all of us “election deniers” (yep, those of us still kicking a dead horse) recall that there was not one – not one – serious investigation into the many alleged voting irregularities . Yea, there were some hearings at various state levels, all of which motivated state legislatures to do zero.
As an example, recall the truck driver who claims he drove a truck load of blank voting ballots from Long Island, NY to Pa. He is either lying, or telling the truth and there was a legit reason why he was transporting these ballots, or there was a nefarious purpose afoot.
You would think some govt agency would have at least looked into this.
IIRC, nothing was investigated.
Sort of like claiming there was a murder, but the police refuse to investigate anything, in which case one can correctly claim that there is no proof of a murder. And if you claim there was a murder, you will be assigned the label as a “no murder denier.”
In general , you find or establish what you look into.
If you stick your head in the sand – intentionally – you will discover nothing.
It’s far worse when those in power essentially place the head’s of the citizenry in the sand.
How convenient.
i’m open to both sides of the argument, i’ll admit that some of trumps tactics have not been that impressive of late,
Sundance at conservative treehouse says the DeSantis presidential announcement and the new Trump indictment are a package deal. He’s been right before.
Trump’s most rabid supporters seem to be afflicted with extreme cases of DeSantis Derangement Syndrome. Some of their scare stories smell quite a bit like Russia Collusion did.
Peggy Noonan condemns Trump on the basis of Trump being cordial when meeting with a world leader who controls a nuclear arsenal. The horror!
Trump crazies are sure that DeSantis is the devil because he meets with Republicans that the Trumpists hate. How dare a Republican seek support from all Republicans?!
shes had moments of lucidity followed by mania, but in the lead saturated echo chamber it’s hard to keep your wits about you,
sometimes you fall down the wilderness of mirrors, as angleton did, following false leads, sometime you find a nut,
Thanks, stan, DeSantis Derangement Syndrome is exactly what I was going to say. Do rabid Trump supporters like Sundance actually think that DeSantis is in cahoots with the Biden/Deep State DOJ? Sorry, no sale here.
The critical thing is which GOP nominee can actually WIN the presidency.
I do not believe that Trump can. The Democratic MSM have convinced too many independents. Can’t get elected without their votes.
I admire Trump for his fortitude, and his record as president.Not for his tweets, but the MSM was allied against him, so Twitter was his voice to the public.
But DeSanctis should be the GOP nominee and future America-saving president. He can give the other candidates Cabinet positions a la Dopey Joe with Buttigieg the Worm.
Cicero, I don’t think DeSantis would appoint incompetents like Buttigieg and the rest. He hasn’t in Florida.
do independents really want to grovel in this muck and mire
https://thenationalpulse.com/2023/05/23/boris-johnson-flown-to-usa-by-arms-industry-group-to-lobby-republicans-for-more-war/
@IrishOtter Nice work summing up the evolution of the Truman Doctrine: Containment of Communism.
My list of the Top 3 is the same as yours. Even though I have no memories of Eisenhower, I definitely respect what I have read about the man; and his 1961 address to the nation still resonates today. I also respect him because to me he personifies a time when serious people made up the adults-in-the-room. But that is a topic for another time/ thread.
Absolutely agree that this thought exercise in not complete unless the “three most negatively consequential presidents” are discussed too. My list includes JFK and Obama, and before Biden it included GWB too (Biden has now replaced him).
Again, nice work.
***
The original thought exercise – done with my friends – started with this list of questions:
In your lifetime…
A) Which Presidents had Domestic Policies that helped America?
B) Which Presidents had Domestic Policies that hurt America?
C) Which Presidents had Foreign Policies that helped America?
D) Which Presidents had Foreign Policies that hurt America?
E) Which Presidents successfully met their biggest challenges?
F) Which Presidents did not successfully meet their biggest challenges?
G) What were some of the best decisions made by a President?
H) What were some of the worst decisions made by a President?
I) Which Presidents were liked by “friend & foe”?
J) Which Presidents were feared by “friend & foe”?
K) Which Presidents inspired confidence or hopefulness in you?
L) Which Presidents were you willing to follow?
M) Who are the 3 most consequential Presidents?
***
I have had an interest in history since I was a boy, and enjoy reading the research prepared by others. I have no academic contribution to make, but do enjoy engaging in “compare exercises” (an occupational hazard). Trump’ presidency prompted me to do a deeper dive on Presidents, and for me the data ## clearly illustrates just how different he was from his predecessors.
## = tell clients on a regular basis that the difference between feelings and facts is data.
One of the key differences is his Presidential Doctrine, which has not been truly defined for history yet (i.e., not received full credit yet). The short version of my conclusion is as follows:
Having a memorable doctrine – Monroe, Roosevelt, Truman – is often the pinnacle for making their “mark” when it comes to presidential historical longevity (what we are told about history generations later). Time after time, every presidential doctrine – memorable or not – is described in terms of foreign policy, and most have a military component (after Truman, a focus on communism too).
The Trump Doctrine was: Economic security is National security. The business executive – who operated on a national & international stage – understood both: a) how intertwined those two objectives are, and b) how decoupling them is detrimental to achieving success.
Yes, Trump’ approach was disparaged & denounced by the MSM, “think tanks”, punditry, historians, et al in part over politics. But it was also done because they could not understand the critical importance of something as pedestrian as “dollars & cents”. They were never “told that” by history.
History is not only proving that the Trump Doctrine was a key to his success during his term, it is proving that the Trump Doctrine is important going forward (see every aspect of Biden foreign policy).
That Guy, I agree with you on the “Trump Doctrine” and include energy security in that. Border security is another obvious factor.
stan:
Trump’s most rabid supporters seem to be afflicted with extreme cases of DeSantis Derangement Syndrome. Some of their scare stories smell quite a bit like Russia Collusion did.
I am not a “rabid supporter” of anyone and I hear a definite echo of TDS in your statement.
I like DeSantis and would vote for him in the General. He is the candidate of the GOPe and I hope, if nominated, he runs a better campaign than Romney did. His foreign policy chops are pretty thin, a bit like GW Bush when he was asked that trick question about Pakistan’s president. However, DeS made a good statement on Ukraine but quickly folded once his donors yanked his chain. That does not bode well for those of us, like CDR Salamander who would rather see the USA spend money on our own defense than the money pit in Ukraine.
I know the general consensus here is pro DeSantis, but there has been as much crazy out there on the pro DeSantis side as the pro Trump side. One of the issues I continually see is the idea that Trump is to blame for Fauci and all of the lockdowns.
The idea that Trump firing Fauci during 2020 during an election year would have helped Trump is truly crazy in its inception. And the lockdowns we know were done by state governments.
That all said – I’m voting for Trump in the primary regardless of whatever legal indictments come down. I have an issue with the establishment putting its fingers on the scale for one candidate or another.
Whether it’s Trump or DeSantis in the general, the GOP will get my vote. If it’s a true establishment type – some Jeb clone – the GOP WON’T get my vote.
I should add that I fear the left’s war on Trump will continue until November, 2024 or until he gives up. They fear him with great loathing but not because he himself is dishonest or incompetent. They fear him because he is honest and very competent. I confess I cannot watch his speeches and I dismiss many of his recent attacks on DeS. He is far from an Eisenhower but Eisenhower had his own mine scandal with Kay Summersby. Eisenhower was a better politician than general but he was good enough.
The idea that Trump firing Fauci during 2020 during an election year would have helped Trump is truly crazy in its inception. And the lockdowns we know were done by state governments.
I’ve read Scott Atlas’ book and he writes that Trump wanted to open up the economy by Memorial Day 2020 and would like to have adopted the policies that DeS did in Florida but he was surrounded by weak sisters, principally his son-in-law, Kushner. Kushner was basically running the 2020 campaign with the “assistance” of a couple of GOPe flunkies who spent all the money on themselves. Kushner was adamant about not firing Fauci or Birx before the election.
JohnTyler on May 24, 2023 at 9:12 am said:
“The US govt. is really no different than that of any corrupt banana republic.
Instead of aiming to line one’s pockets with drug money and payoffs from drug cartels,”
Are you absolutely sure about that?
https://redstate.com/jeffc/2021/11/14/bidens-border-crisis-is-much-worse-than-were-being-told-n475623
Empowering coincidentally, or enabling deliberately for a cut?
Remember, “unintended consequences” are not always unforeseen, and often are intended.
stan at 10:50 am said:
“Trump’s most rabid supporters seem to be afflicted with extreme cases of DeSantis Derangement Syndrome.”
Not just the Trump crazies. I have a liberal friend whose Trump derangement syndrome extends to derangement about DeSantis because of his 2018 association to Trump during his campaign run.
Mike K at 3:19 pm
“Eisenhower was a better politician than general but he was good enough.”
Did you perhaps misstate that backwards, and intend to advance his military role over his political one? From context, and “good enough”, I infer the reverse of what you stated?
I wonder if SC Schmidt was dug up from the same Beer Hall they got Herr Müller?