JEFF CHILDERS ON THE DEBATES AND THE TRUMP
Believe it or not, last night’s double-platformed battle of the Republican giants was not the biggest news yesterday, not even close. But we’ll start with it anyway. President Trump’s interview with Tucker posted at the same time as the other Republican nominees debate, which included Governor DeSantis, aired on Fox. As of this morning, Tucker’s Trump interview shows over 156 million views on Twitter — about half the U.S. population in number of ‘views,’ whatever that’s worth — which says something pretty incredible about the rise of disintermediated media and might actually have been the real story last night.
I have promised to stay neutral for the primary, and in fact I have — somehow — still been able to avoid making my decision. I think my lawyer skills at being able to argue either side of an argument helps. Also helpful is that, as you know, I don’t believe in the “Superman” theory of politics anyway. So, I will continue to refrain from critiquing either leading candidate, instead renewing my hopeful call for conservative cooperation, unity and grace.
Rather than give you comments on the various debate wins and losses, which are more than adequately covered just about everywhere else, I’ll present the two sides’ legitimate opposing points of view in a nutshell, as best I can see it, in the possibly vain hope that it might help us understand each other.
Ep. 19 Debate Night with Donald J Trump pic.twitter.com/ayPfII48CO
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) August 24, 2023
Trump supporters feel like we are facing an existential crisis, that a wrecking ball needs to smash into our government in order to save America from certain doom, and President Trump is that wrecking ball. They don’t particularly like Trump’s involvement in the jab rollout and lockdowns, but are convinced that the issue of saving the Republic eclipses that concern. A sizable minority of Trump supporters even think the stolen election and Biden’s disastrous Sundowner presidency could be part of a master plan. They believe that Trump and only Trump can save the country, and they — wisely — trust no one connected to the DC establishment.
Trump supporters also have a perfectly valid grievance about the stolen 2020 election, when their candidate should have been elected. They want to right that wrong. They point to Trump’s enduring popularity in spite of four criminal prosecutions, which have only made him more attractive. They want to make America great again.
BREAKING: Ron DeSantis gives fiery response on COVID, slams Trump admin for locking down
"As your president I will never let the deep state bureaucrats lock you down. You don't take somebody like Fauci and coddle him! You bring Fauci in, you sit him down, and you say 'Anthony,… pic.twitter.com/zAffAEzwmc
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) August 24, 2023
Governor DeSantis’s supporters also believe we face an existential crisis. They are terrified that the Establishment Media has successfully poisoned the Trump well and too many voters have now become never-Trumpers. They noticed that, whereas Trump lost in 2020, Governor DeSantis won re-election in a landslide. Their top concern is bodily freedom, without which nothing else matters, and they believe — correctly — that DeSantis has the best record in the country on that issue. Plus, DeSantis once called Fauci a ‘little elf’ and said someone should toss him across the Potomac. So.
DeSantis supporters are confident the internationally-acclaimed Governor is a proven capable executive who could deliver as President. They aren’t thrilled with his establishment support, but can overlook that, given his electability. They want to make America Florida.
To me, both positions are thoughtful, reasonable, correct, and also incomplete in their own ways. There is no perfect candidate, no “Superman.” We can agree to disagree over who’s better, but can also still work together to save the country.
Fox ended its debate by asking the candidates whether they’d back Trump if he wins the election, but is also criminally convicted in one of the democrats’ politically-motivated prosecutions. All the serious candidates eventually raised their hands in a show of support. It seems to me that’s the way forward, whether Trump or DeSantis wins the primary.
Let’s save the country!
“I will continue to refrain from critiquing either leading candidate,” … “whether Trump or DeSantis wins the primary.”
RDS was already polling third going into “the debate”.
IMO, he may soon be nearly off the radar after it.
Yes…But if Trump is taken out one way or the other…who do we want on the ticket ?
From the pulse I’m taking, there would then be little point to even having elections.
It’s time to stop the bullshit. The American people were denied their choice of president in the past election. Over one hundred and fifty million views last night proves they expect that crime to be rectified. It also proves that the so called candidates on Fox News are, in their mind, complicit in that theft. They are pretenders to a position already filled by the people. The American people are saying that either Donald J. Trump is the president, or there is no longer a constitutional republic. They want their country back!