The Lincoln Group came out for Joe Biden today. This is a group of former GOP heavyweights that have left the party to the ethically challenged…, well, you just have to see Steve Schmidt, former senior campaign strategist for John McCain in his run for the White House, riff. He’s thoroughly entertaining while intentionally staying as dry as possible.
In Michigan the other extreme of the party marched on the State House, some even toting their assault-style rifles, demanding to go back to work, pushing back against the authority of the state. “Lock her up!” they cried at the Governor, They stopped traffic, preventing health workers from either coming from or going to hospitals nearby.
Neither will move Trump’s numbers.
The no good traitors, the RINOs, blah blah blah… The Lincoln Group will be cast aside easily, enemies to real Americans and so on. Not even a blip in Trump World. The Lincoln Group may have some sway in the suburbs, though. Republicans who got way more than they bargained for, who are privately embarrassed and looking for a lifeline may find it here, feeling that they were part of something, a correction to the party to save it. Independents could be listening. It’s possible. So all to the good.
But the base? Not a blip.
So not much news today. The President declared war on the Congress over his appointments. He threatened to implement a never before used presidential power to adjourn Congress so he can do recess appointments while they are dormant. This was designed to be used in the case of an emrgency where the two houses were in such disagreement that they were logjammed. That is not the current situation.
This is more of a talking point right now, as the logistics of doing this are actually quite complicated, but it is a continuation of Trump’s never ending need to be the tough guy star of his own reality show. His base loves watching him bully anyone, but going after Democratic legislators can get them near climax.
That is the only way for me to understand this man. He is a bad actor in a lead role, and totally committed to his sophmoric rendition of the part. Half of the things he announces he is going to do are never heard of again. It isn’t actually necessary for him to DO these things. Saying them out loud for the base to flagelate to is enough. This is not a presidency, it’s performance art. He knows the American public is not sophisticated enough to parse the difference, and it’s all about getting renewed for another season. You think this has been good, just wait and see what I do with a second term!
God help us.
So now the daily Covid-19 updates are nothing more than campaign rallies, adorned with propaganda videos and partisan placards in huge fonts that assure you that no matter what facts are reported, no matter what the media feeds you, He’s doing a great job and people love him and his bold leadership. He calls the reporters, distanced about the South Lawn, liars to their faces, leaving mouths agape.
The reporters are getting to the end of their collective ropes, though. They are starting to push back and Trump clearly has not been prepared for that. When they hold the line he is predictable in his response. He melts down every single time. He starts to insult the journalist with unsubstantiated claims which will be regurgitated the next day by his minions, and calls the news outlet they represent “fake” and enemies of the people. Yesterday he completely lost it and threatened to leave the press conference if the reporter didn’t shut up, calling him a showboat.
Do not cross the Dear Leader.
But they are, and the increasing boldness of the press makes each days episode must see TV. It feels like they are building toward something, some cataclysmic explosion and I would hate to miss that. Sure, I would be treated to the instant replays, but it just isn’t the same as watching live. I have enjoyed watching Malcolm Butler intercepting that pass on the goal line a dozen times or more, but it’s never like watching the impossible happen in real time. Absolutely thrilling (or devestating). When someone finally says “Enough is enough” I want to be there cheering them on. Who will be this bold patriot, the prophet bellowing truth to power, revealing the con, piercing the bubble?
Now THAT will be must see TV.