George Will

Nothing groundbreaking, just something I heard George Will say a moment ago in an interview. Great interview. I've always had the utmost respect for Will, though I don't always agree with him.

Anyway, here's the quote. The question was concerning the lack of condemnation from Republicans for 1/6, except Cheney and Kinzinger. Will replied, describing the two, and in contrast to the others, who fear the wrath of one:

You have to be ready to lose an election to be worthy of winning an election.

I don't expect a big thread, but that's an amazing statement, in my opinion. It's what a patriot would say and do. Kudos to George. And thank you Liz and Adam.

(I realize George Will is not the conservative poster boy he once was, so I expect screams of "NeverTrumper" to be offered.)

 

I have many criticisms of those who think Trump was robbed of the election, lack of sincerity is not one of them.

I agree the GOP needs needs realize real quick that Trump's 2016 success was down to the Dems nominating pretty much the only man, woman, or child in the country capable of losing to him - Hillary Clinton. His success will be less repeatable going forward.

If he hit on one thing it's working class support in manufacturing. The Republicans should pivot to exploit that as the Democrats move toward the intersectional coalition (from the 2010 midterms on).

 

Yes, I agree, but Will is talking about Congress, not Republicans in general.

 

I wonder if that same logic applied in 2016, doesn’t seem like it.

 

True enough, in most districts having your eyes gouged out with power drills has a higher approval rating than your local representative.

Almost none of them are sincere about a damn thing except the possibility of a cushy job at JP Morgan after they leave office

 

Power drills. Lmao.

Yeah, I was just impressed how Will basically described patriotism and courage in a very nimble way.

 

It's a fine line. You've got to stick true to your principles, but at the same time you've got to get into office to put those principles into effect.

 

I have always respected George Will, and like you, I don't always agree with him, but unlike the majority of conservatives these days, I can understand him. His use of the English language driven by his logical mind is a refreshing blast from the past. Cruz, Rubio, and the whole lot of them are knuckle-draggers trying to explain their positions compared to Will.

 

I like Will as well, though I often disagree with him. He does have an astute take on things.

That's a great statement, extremely quote-worthy. Too bad that the politicians who need to understand it are unlikely to do so.

 

Solid logic always applies. The problem is that too many are making emotional decisions, and logic can't climb that wall.

 

Well said.

 

It becomes a problem when getting, or staying, in office becomes more important than actually doing the job. As long as voters are voting with their fears and not applying logic, this is what we'll continue to get.

 

You left off the poster child of talking without saying anything.

 

I completely agree with you. George Will is the real conservative. He's an outcast today only because fascists have taken over in the leadership of the party that used to represent conservatism.

 

Ha! It's a real book. I just ordered the MAGA edition from Amazon.

 

Normally I'd agree, but this is unprecedented, and we're dealing with unprincipled people. Will shouldn't have to think of these elegant lines.

 

It's very concerning. A poster here said that Republicans are inclusive and tolerant and used Cheney and Romney as his "proof" of that. After you get off the floor from laughing so hard at that, he has NOT said one word about them being ousted for being honest.

It's frightening how much they are willing to overlook. I mean, human trafficking, rape allegations, fraud, bullying, double-dipping into people's bank accounts, 4K COVID deaths, massive lay-offs, Capitol cops dead...apparently NOTHING is too awful for them to step back and say "What am I supporting here?" It's pathetic and revolting. I'm not partisan but, if I was, I would jumped off that ship a loooonnnnnggggg time ago. It's disgusting what they excuse and rationalize.

 

What's really sad is that Ted Cruz IS an intellectual. He's no George Will, but he's a highly educated very intelligent man. He's wasted his intellect by parading around as an anti-elite regular Joe, because of politics. What a shame, really.

Sadly, as well, I don't see much intellectualism coming from the left, either. What I do like is the NeverTrump ex-Republican intellectuals appearing on left-leaning networks. Will, Kristol, others.

The last big name Republican intellectual in Congress that I can remember, though I hate his guts, was Gingrich. I'd take Gingrich back just because, as you say, I can understand what the hell he's saying.

Buckley, Jr. is turning in his grave.

 

It's interesting you mention Kristol. I had written him off years ago primarily because he was one of the signers to PNAC. He practically disappeared during the Obama years only to return as a Never Trumper. I figured he's trying to whitewash his past involvement with PNAC.

As for Gingrich, he's the perfect example of a broken clock, once in a blue moon he says something that is correct. The last time that happened was when he acknowledged there is a big racial disparity problem in the judicial system.

Even Buckley before his death was not very optimistic about what had become of his conservative movement.

As for the Left, I still look at Warren and Sanders as the intellectual ones on that side of the aisle.

 

Yeah, Gingrich was kind of a bumbler. Thanks for reminding me. Lol. It's still better to have someone I understand who is wrong, than what we got now.

I feel the same way about neocons, and I agree Kristol has seen the light.

 

Same thought listening to same interview.

 

Speaking of George Will, I wonder when he will offer his comments on stupid Xoes killing of the 10 innocents with 7 being children. Or Miley’s attempted coup.

 

Great quote, both patriotic and principled. George Will, if anything is a principle man and a true conservative. Sad that the current Trump party no longer represents neither true patriots or principles but just those that "hug the flag and so called principles" simply as a cloak without real knowing the true meaning of principled thought which can only come from serious self introspection and then application. It also requires tolerance and sacrifice.

 

Fair enough. Trump's actions and statements around the Georgia redo did it for me. His brashness was always his biggest fault, and though I care more about policy it had a
progressively worse impact on policy as time went on, to the point where he's deliberately jettisoning the Georgia Senate races over ridiculous fraud claims.

I think he was a relatively good President, best since Clinton. "Speak softly and carry a big stick" foreign policy was a refreshing change from Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya at least. I have a variety of disagreements with Trump, some major some minor, but he AT LEAST wasn't a damn neo-con war hawk like the last two.

 

I respect that, though I disagree.

Myself, 2016 was good old NOTA. Third time this century; 2000, 2004 and 2016. My only votes for a person went to McCain in 2008 and Obama in 2012.