Never Trumpers: The good (who have re-evaluated), the bad (who can’t get over themselves) and the ug

[rangerrebew]

December 23, 2017
Never Trumpers: The good (who have re-evaluated), the bad (who can’t get over themselves) and the ugly (who have thrown in with the Left)
By Thomas Lifson

The passage of tax reform and the booming economy, sweeping transformations in Middle East policy, and regulatory reform that is unleashing vast potential bottled up the last 8 years and more are all signs that President Trump is not the ogre feared by a large faction of the conservative intellectual establishment. The famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) special issue of National Review, “Against Trump,” stands as a unique instance of the conservative movement’s intellectual elite turning against the champion of the GOP’s base. With almost a year in office for Trump, some of those who partook of the NeverTrump fashion have started to change their minds, while others are doubling down, becoming bitter enders.

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/12/never_trumpers_the_good_who_have_reevaluated_the_bad_who_cant_get_over_themselves_and_the_ugly_who_have_thrown_in_with_the_left.html#ixzz525hhcs5g
 

[aligncare]

Here’s a tasty bite from the Thomas Lifson article quoting Matthew Continetti, editor of the Washington Free Beacon, the publication that originally commissioned Fusion GPS (and one who has softened on Trump) disputing the charge that Trump’s Jerusalem policy is disruptive of American foreign policy:

”I wonder about the journalists and flacks and politicians criticizing this literal reading of U.S. law as "disruptive." Have they not paid attention to this man? Donald Trump's purpose in office is to disrupt if not overturn the patterns of governance and ideological consensus that have dominated the U.S. capital for decades. In this sense his Jerusalem policy is his presidency in microcosm. He is acting on a common sense appraisal of the world and satisfying the wishes of his supporters without regard to global or domestic elite opinion. What Trump knows more than the art of the deal is the art of the bluff—and how to call one.”

Or, how about this tender morsel:

”It is a sign of the disingenuousness of American foreign policy that it required someone from outside this system to behave as if words have meaning.”

The same could be said of politics in general.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Basically, Lifson is saying throughout  the article that enough is enough.  The stakes are too high in 2018 and 2020 for "bitter enders" to derail the Trump agenda and grease the skids for a liberal takeover of the federal government.

He's right.

Those stakes are far greater than any individual’s ego. It is tragic (in the sense of being brought low by fatal flaws) that people like Kristol, McMullen, and David Frum cannot get over themselves.

[aligncare]

So which are you? The good, the bad, or the ugly?

After one year of hating on Trump some of these reputed conservative folks should be asking themselves which is more important? Your children’s future or your freaking ego?

[RoosGirl]

An apology?  For not voting for someone?  LOL  Only from that douche that called in to Rush and idiots like him.

[DCPatriot]

An apology?  For not voting for someone?  LOL  Only from that douche that called in to Rush and idiots like him.

Not for "not voting for someone", @RoosGirl    ....for being wrong about the man and how he might govern.   

[RoosGirl]

Not for "not voting for someone", @RoosGirl    ....for being wrong about the man and how he might govern.   

Either way, it's one of the dumbest ideas I've seen pushed.

[anubias]

Not for "not voting for someone", @RoosGirl    ....for being wrong about the man and how he might govern.   

Why would anyone need to apologize for being wrong about Trump?  DC, the man’s past didn’t exactly bode well for a Conservative agenda.  While I’m sure many wanted to believe what he was saying, we had a current populist POTUS that lied through his teeth telling people what they wanted to hear on a campaign.  We’ve watched McCain time and again run on a Conservative platform to dump his Conservatism once re-elected.  If you recall, Trump’s children who were part of the campaign could not vote for him in their home state primary because they were registered as Democrats!  All anyone had to go on was Trump’s past history that was varigated to say the least.  Trusting Trump was a steep hill for many to climb.  I had a hard time of it myself.

I do not blame anyone for not supporting Trump in the primary.  I do have distaste for folks that continue to wish him to have a failed presidency as their need to feel superior to all trumps their country.  Thankfully, those are few and should be ignored; although it is hard at times I know.

Let it go, DC.  Just be thankful that America is on the road to being made great again.  That’s all that matters in the grand scheme of things.   Trump’s legacy of Conservative judges will help this country for decades to come. 

[DCPatriot]

Why would anyone need to apologize for being wrong about Trump?  DC, the man’s past didn’t exactly bode well for a Conservative agenda.  While I’m sure many wanted to believe what he was saying, we had a current populist POTUS that lied through his teeth telling people what they wanted to hear on a campaign.  We’ve watched McCain time and again run on a Conservative platform to dump his Conservatism once re-elected.  If you recall, Trump’s children who were part of the campaign could not vote for him in their home state primary because they were registered as Democrats!  All anyone had to go on was Trump’s past history that was varigated to say the least.  Trusting Trump was a steep hill for many to climb.  I had a hard time of it myself.

I do not blame anyone for not supporting Trump in the primary.  I do have distaste for folks that continue to wish him to have a failed presidency as their need to feel superior to all trumps their country.  Thankfully, those are few and should be ignored; although it is hard at times I know.

Let it go, DC.  Just be thankful that America is on the road to being made great again.  That’s all that matters in the grand scheme of things.   Trump’s legacy of Conservative judges will help this country for decades to come. 

It isn't so much "apologizing", @anubias ....., perhaps a better work is "acknowledgment" that they were wrong.  Instead, we've got a half dozen or so in here that can't seem to admit it.   

Rush labeled them "WORTHLESS".   

And being a registered "Democrat", while it excuses a hesitancy to proudly be a "Blue Dog", and pulling the lever for him.... after a full year of witnessing what this man has accomplished with an adversarial media and GOPe?   There's no excuse whatsoever.

If you can't appreciate The Man today....Rush's label fits to a tee.

[Frank Cannon]

An apology?  For not voting for someone?  LOL  Only from that douche that called in to Rush and idiots like him.

How dare you denigrate some geriatric shut in that has the time to sit on hold for a couple hours to call into a radio show.

[RoosGirl]

How dare you denigrate some geriatric shut in that has the time to sit on hold for a couple hours to call into a radio show.

Oh, I imagined it being some young Millenial type that lived in his parents basement and didn't have a job.

[Frank Cannon]

Oh, I imagined it being some young Millenial type that lived in his parents basement and didn't have a job.

They don't call into radio shows. They call into podcasts about global warming.

[RoosGirl]

They don't call into radio shows. They call into podcasts about global warming.

Oh, well, that explains why he's so popular with some of the members here.

[Frank Cannon]

Oh, well, that explains why he's so popular with some of the members here.

That's why the place is quiet from noon to 3. People are frantically dialing 1-800-282-2882 on their rotary phones.

[RoosGirl]

That's why the place is quiet from noon to 3. People are frantically dialing 1-800-282-2882 on their rotary phones.

I thought they were headed to Early Bird.

[Frank Cannon]

I thought they were headed to Early Bird.

That's from 3 to 5. Matlock is on at 5:30. Get with the program.

[aligncare]

Not for "not voting for someone", @RoosGirl    ....for being wrong about the man and how he might govern.   

If you hated Trump during the election you owe it to yourself to rethink Trump now in light of what he’s accomplished for conservatives in his first year. Achievements arguably equal to President Reagan’s first year accomplishments.

Notice I said accomplishments? These two were different men with different characters. There’s no meaningful comparison to make between the two, except to say that Reagan evolved in his political journey to embrace conservatism (and the Republican Party) and Trump comes by it instinctively somehow, not as a studied ideology but as a matter of recognizing it as the best governance possible to give America and Americans the biggest bang for the buck — a rising tide lifts all boats, sort of thing. Practical conservatism.

Trump has a distinctive personality and skill set to be sure, and he does tend to upset a lot of folks who have very set ideas about how a president should act — as if that somehow predicts good presidential outcomes. Remember, Obama acted presidential and gave eloquent, soaring speeches. But, to what end? His presidency served the open border socialist, Islamist Left.

At least President Trump has accomplished conservative things. And if he holds to his word, with no reason to believe otherwise, there will be much more to come. That gives him a lot of leeway with me regarding his quirky personality, and it aught to with other self identifying conservatives.

[DCPatriot]

If you hated Trump during the election you owe it to yourself to rethink Trump now in light of what he’s accomplished for conservatives in his first year. Achievements arguably equal to President Reagan’s first year accomplishments.

Notice I said accomplishments? These two were different men with different characters. There is no meaningful comparison to be made between the two, except to say that Reagan evolved to embrace conservatism (and the Republican Party) in his political journey and Trump somehow comes by it instinctively, not as a studied ideology, but as a matter of recognizing it as good governance that gives America and Americans the biggest bang for the buck — a rising tide lifts all boats, sort of thing. That’s practical conservatism.

Trump has a distinctive personality and skill set to be sure, and he tends to upset a lot of folks who have very set ideas about how a president should act — as if that determines good presidential outcomes. Remember, Obama acted presidential and gave eloquent, soaring speeches. But, to what end? His presidency served the socialist, Islamist Left.

At least President Trump has accomplished conservative things, and if he holds to his word, with no reason to believe otherwise, there will be much more to come. That gives him a lot of leeway with me, and it aught to with other self identifying conservatives.

 

[bolobaby]

Not for "not voting for someone", @RoosGirl    ....for being wrong about the man and how he might govern.   

Like an idiot? Like a petulant child?

[RoosGirl]

Like an idiot? Like a petulant child?

Yep, that is how Trump acts sometimes.

[RoosGirl]

If you hated Trump during the election you owe it to yourself to rethink Trump now in light of what he’s accomplished for conservatives in his first year. Achievements arguably equal to President Reagan’s first year accomplishments.

Notice I said accomplishments? These two were different men with different characters. There is no meaningful comparison to be made between the two, except to say that Reagan evolved to embrace conservatism (and the Republican Party) in his political journey and Trump somehow comes by it instinctively, not as a studied ideology, but as a matter of recognizing it as good governance that gives America and Americans the biggest bang for the buck — a rising tide lifts all boats, sort of thing. That’s practical conservatism.

Trump has a distinctive personality and skill set to be sure, and he tends to upset a lot of folks who have very set ideas about how a president should act — as if that determines good presidential outcomes. Remember, Obama acted presidential and gave eloquent, soaring speeches. But, to what end? His presidency served the socialist, Islamist Left.

At least President Trump has accomplished conservative things, and if he holds to his word, with no reason to believe otherwise, there will be much more to come. That gives him a lot of leeway with me, and it aught to with other self identifying conservatives.

If his accomplishments continue in the next 3 years as they have in the first I might would vote for him in 2020.  It still will depend on a number of things including his character.  And I, in no way, do or would feel any sort of remorse for not voting for him in 2016.  I don't owe him or anyone else an apology for that decision.

[DCPatriot]

Like an idiot? Like a petulant child?

Nope...but you knew that.

...like a New York City Liberal

(go ask @Oceander ...., he'll clarify it for you.   

[Fishrrman]

aligncare asks:
"So which are you? The good, the bad, or the ugly?"

None of the above.

I was for Mr. Trump as the primary season began, voted for him in the primaries, gladly voted for him in the general election, and STILL am pleased for having done so.

As for the ne'ertrumpers here... well... they can kiss me where the sun don't shine!
And I mean that!

[Cripplecreek]

Same nevertrumper I was 30 years ago when Trump was appearing on trashy tabloid TV.

The same nevertrumper I was 3 years ago when we all knew he was a lying fecal smear of a liberal.

The same nevertrumper I am today laughing in the face of Trumpers who wish they could enact the final solution against those who don't worship Orange Glorious but lack the stones to do so. 

[240B]

During the primaries and the campaign, I HATED Trump. I think I was his harshest critic on this site. I was one of the people crying along with CNN and MSNBC on election night.


But lately, I wouldn't say that I like or support him, but I have grown to tolerate Trump. Deregulation, Judicial appointments, Jerusalem, ISIS, Tax Cuts, are only some of the reasons why.


I am an avid NeverTrumper, and Kristol is one of my biggest idols. I can never see myself ever supporting anything Trump does, but as I said, I am coming to a point where I don't HATE him as I did late last year during the campaign.