"Where I think he’s wrong—and in good company, from what I’ve seen, but wrong nonetheless—is in thinking that loss may be averted if Harris wins, in having any expectation of a Republican reckoning if Trump fails."
I've had much the same thought as you. I admire his optimism. I do not share it.
A lot of really good thoughts this week. I was previously persuaded by French, but have come around to your opinion on the likely future of the Republican party. Barring Trump in jail or having health issues, I could see him running in '28 if he doesn't win this year. And the party seems to be a solid 70-75% in on Trumpism, so no need to change anything for them if they don't have to.
And I read a little of Mills back in the day and was always impressed by him.
Your blog and CT are therapy for me. I see the potential for the Republican party to suffer a huge hit. But that is a potential. At the risk of sounding naive (I am not) Jesus is seated above the circle of the earth, sees it all, and calls us t come higher and deeper is we watch messes unfold. A wonderful bright spot is the story of Brenna Blain. I shared it on FB.
What did the democrats learn from losing in 2016? What did they learn from the last four years?
As far as I can tell, the answer was nothing.
What did the GOP learn from Romney’s loss in 2012? I remember all the think pieces about becoming pro-immigration to win over Hispanics. Then Trump and deSantis started building a wall and flying them to Martha’s Vineyard and Hispanics flocked to the GOP.
Paul Ryan would have made the gop about gutting social security (now there is an electoral winner) and Mike pence would make it about national abortion bans (abortion is about to win a Florida referendum by 70%).
In short, people don’t learn what you want them to learn, from either victory or defeat. And often what you want them to learn is actually wrong.
I would just ask “will my life be better or worse if candidate X wins versus candidate y.” My life will be materially better if Donald Trump wins.
I think that the default question voters should ask themselves is which candidate will make their lives better. If everyone asked that and answered it truthfully we’d get a decent outcome.
I can imagine a scenario where one might need to put aside ones own interest for something else, but I would set a high bar for that. It is easier to understand one’s own interest then that of strangers.
Forgive me if this should be written elsewhere but here goes. I saw this title on CT "25 Precepts for This (and Every) Election." I thought, that's going to be Bonnie. Score!! I laughed at your opening. We elevate voting to a spiritual weapon. It is important but the kingdom is higher, and prayer is more powerful. Jesus is seated far above, all rule and authority. All means all. Our tendency to want a "king" remains. Oh, if we get all policy correct, everything will be ok. I sigh deeply. Thank you for sorting through the mess of our hearts. Earlier today, I lost it for a moment in a coffee shop with two sisters in their '70's (like me). I recovered and repented and the conversation ended well. The message from one was we must vote for Trump or Communism will take over. A deeper sigh. Thank you for writing, for loving your husband and raising 3 children who Jesus claims as arrows in His quiver. Love them to death.
So while this place on the IoT (I dislike that term and use it with a touch of sarcasm) is belongs to Bonnie, I want to make a broad appeal. I don't think it will trouble her. Personally, I have had a very tough time to vote for either candidate in the last two election cycles. Our greatest need and sorect deficiency in Federal government is integrity. We are complicit with the media it making a popularity contest of sorts. My dad was in the Army in World War II but was assigned to the Signal Corps running telephone lines on the East coast. He admired Adlai Stevenson as that man was a true statesman. We have so devalued the presidency with self-exaltation as was displayed with Mr. Nixon. We continue to do so by voting for our narrow-minded self-interest. But criticism, while necessary, is not my main thought. Bonnie is an editor at Christianity Today (CT). It is not about a religion, it is about a knowledge of Jesus Christ. He has all authority and His kingdom is not earthly and cannot mix with politics. CT has a focus on His kingdom. Many of us follow Bonnie's writing as she injects wisdom and thoughtfully comments on our political messes. Voting for me reflects maintaining stability and while economy is important and policy matters, integrity is the most important characteristic in leadership, along with humility before God. Lincoln is the best example of that with all his imperfections.
"Where I think he’s wrong—and in good company, from what I’ve seen, but wrong nonetheless—is in thinking that loss may be averted if Harris wins, in having any expectation of a Republican reckoning if Trump fails."
I've had much the same thought as you. I admire his optimism. I do not share it.
Yeah. Feels like a returning toothpaste to the tube situation
You gave me a deep belly laugh. And today, I really needed it.
Loved your self-analysis of the 2020 piece!
thank you! Trying to revisit and critique old pieces as appropriate, even if it’s not a very systematic process
A lot of really good thoughts this week. I was previously persuaded by French, but have come around to your opinion on the likely future of the Republican party. Barring Trump in jail or having health issues, I could see him running in '28 if he doesn't win this year. And the party seems to be a solid 70-75% in on Trumpism, so no need to change anything for them if they don't have to.
And I read a little of Mills back in the day and was always impressed by him.
Your blog and CT are therapy for me. I see the potential for the Republican party to suffer a huge hit. But that is a potential. At the risk of sounding naive (I am not) Jesus is seated above the circle of the earth, sees it all, and calls us t come higher and deeper is we watch messes unfold. A wonderful bright spot is the story of Brenna Blain. I shared it on FB.
Thank you, Mark! I’ll share that with the editor and writer of the Blain piece.
What did the democrats learn from losing in 2016? What did they learn from the last four years?
As far as I can tell, the answer was nothing.
What did the GOP learn from Romney’s loss in 2012? I remember all the think pieces about becoming pro-immigration to win over Hispanics. Then Trump and deSantis started building a wall and flying them to Martha’s Vineyard and Hispanics flocked to the GOP.
Paul Ryan would have made the gop about gutting social security (now there is an electoral winner) and Mike pence would make it about national abortion bans (abortion is about to win a Florida referendum by 70%).
In short, people don’t learn what you want them to learn, from either victory or defeat. And often what you want them to learn is actually wrong.
I would just ask “will my life be better or worse if candidate X wins versus candidate y.” My life will be materially better if Donald Trump wins.
So, my friend, is our goal for our lives to be materially better? That question is more important than the voting question.
I think that the default question voters should ask themselves is which candidate will make their lives better. If everyone asked that and answered it truthfully we’d get a decent outcome.
I can imagine a scenario where one might need to put aside ones own interest for something else, but I would set a high bar for that. It is easier to understand one’s own interest then that of strangers.
Forgive me if this should be written elsewhere but here goes. I saw this title on CT "25 Precepts for This (and Every) Election." I thought, that's going to be Bonnie. Score!! I laughed at your opening. We elevate voting to a spiritual weapon. It is important but the kingdom is higher, and prayer is more powerful. Jesus is seated far above, all rule and authority. All means all. Our tendency to want a "king" remains. Oh, if we get all policy correct, everything will be ok. I sigh deeply. Thank you for sorting through the mess of our hearts. Earlier today, I lost it for a moment in a coffee shop with two sisters in their '70's (like me). I recovered and repented and the conversation ended well. The message from one was we must vote for Trump or Communism will take over. A deeper sigh. Thank you for writing, for loving your husband and raising 3 children who Jesus claims as arrows in His quiver. Love them to death.
If David was serious about this he would try to come up with a convincing replacement.
Desantis got pretty close, close enough to be a reasonable after direction.
But when they feel like being honest, the never trumpers wouldn’t like him either. They don’t like anyone who meaningfully opposes the left
So while this place on the IoT (I dislike that term and use it with a touch of sarcasm) is belongs to Bonnie, I want to make a broad appeal. I don't think it will trouble her. Personally, I have had a very tough time to vote for either candidate in the last two election cycles. Our greatest need and sorect deficiency in Federal government is integrity. We are complicit with the media it making a popularity contest of sorts. My dad was in the Army in World War II but was assigned to the Signal Corps running telephone lines on the East coast. He admired Adlai Stevenson as that man was a true statesman. We have so devalued the presidency with self-exaltation as was displayed with Mr. Nixon. We continue to do so by voting for our narrow-minded self-interest. But criticism, while necessary, is not my main thought. Bonnie is an editor at Christianity Today (CT). It is not about a religion, it is about a knowledge of Jesus Christ. He has all authority and His kingdom is not earthly and cannot mix with politics. CT has a focus on His kingdom. Many of us follow Bonnie's writing as she injects wisdom and thoughtfully comments on our political messes. Voting for me reflects maintaining stability and while economy is important and policy matters, integrity is the most important characteristic in leadership, along with humility before God. Lincoln is the best example of that with all his imperfections.
Pardon my lack of good editing.