Why I’m Still a NeverTrumper

[Right_in_Virginia]

Why I’m Still a NeverTrumper
NY Times, Dec 29, 2017, Bret Stephens

Tax cuts. Deregulation. More for the military; less for the United Nations. The Islamic State crushed in its heartland. Assad hit with cruise missiles. Troops to Afghanistan. Arms for Ukraine. A tougher approach to North Korea. Jerusalem recognized as Israel’s capital. The Iran deal decertified. Title IX kangaroo courts on campus condemned. Yes to Keystone. No to Paris. Wall Street roaring and consumer confidence high.

And, of course, Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court. What, for a conservative, is there to dislike about this policy record as the Trump administration rounds out its first year in office?

That’s the question I keep hearing from old friends on the right who voted with misgiving for Donald Trump last year and now find reasons to like him. I admit it gives me pause. I agree with every one of the policy decisions mentioned above. But I still wish Hillary Clinton were president.


More:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/opinion/why-im-still-a-nevertrumper.html?referer=https://t.co/ml7cIYkk5b

[Right_in_Virginia]

For TBR's NTs .... you're not alone!   

[andy58-in-nh]

"I agree with every one of the policy decisions mentioned above. But I still wish Hillary Clinton were president."

He must be joking. Only he is not...

Here is further proof - as though any more were needed - that although we may one day cure cancer, there's no cure for stupid.

Donald Trump still annoys me. I wish he would stop his occasional fits of juvenile and boorish behavior.

But I thank God each and every day that he and not the serial liar, grifter and racial leftist Hillary Clinton was elected President. 

[RoosGirl]

He's wishing for things and decides he's going to wish for Hillary to be president??   

[bigheadfred]

The word hypocrite is rooted in the Greek word hypokrites, which means “stage actor, pretender, dissembler.”

[aligncare]

I’ve been mulling this over. I think NeverTrumpers object to Trump’s honesty. He says exactly what’s on his mind. He rarely demurs except on matters of national security strategy or politics.

Take his recent interview with the New York Times reporter. Walks into the interview in the Grill Room of his golf club in West Palm Beach, alone, no staff, no press spokesmen, no policy advisers around him to clarify Trump’s answers. And no need for the reporter to guess where Trump stands on an issue; he doesn’t give focus tested responses. It’s Trump Raw.

He’s ineloquent and braggadocios, but that’s him: straightforward and honest. And for reasons I don’t quite understand, this bothers the people that prefer obfuscation, diplomacy and theater from their president — like an Obama.

[RoosGirl]

I’ve been mulling this over. I think NeverTrumpers object to Trump’s honesty. He says exactly what’s on his mind. He rarely demurs except on matters of national security strategy or politics.

Take his recent interview with the New York Times reporter. Walks into the interview in the Grill Room of his golf club in West Palm Beach, alone, no staff, no press spokesmen, no policy advisers around him to clarify Trump’s answers. And no need for the reporter to guess where Trump stands on an issue; he doesn’t give focus tested responses. It’s Trump Raw.

He’s ineloquent and braggadocios, but that’s him: straightforward and honest. And for reasons I don’t quite understand, this bothers the people that prefer obfuscation, diplomacy and theater from their president — like an Obama.

That's funny.  I say exactly what's on my mind (within the limits of forum rules most of the time ), and am straightforward and honest and for reasons I don't quite understand this bothers the people that like Trump for those same qualities.

[endicom]

Glenn Reynolds, https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/284716/#respond, is on the right track with references to taste and status anxiety.

[catfish1957]

That's funny.  I say exactly what's on my mind (within the limits of forum rules most of the time ), and am straightforward and honest and for reasons I don't quite understand this bothers the people that like Trump for those same qualities.

If you were orange, lost 90% of your moral character, and flip-flopped ideologically most of your life.......then they might cut you some slack

[RoosGirl]

If you were orange, lost 90% of your moral character, and flip-flopped ideologically most of your life.......then they might cut you some slack

Well thank goodness I'm none of those things!

[RoosGirl]

Maybe add some cognitive thinking to the mix?   

Wow, you are in total bitch mode today.  I sincerely hope that continues through the new year.

[aligncare]

Maybe adding some cognitive thinking to the mix would help??   

In politics, emotion, sanctimony and ego trump reason. And one day I’ll be proven right! 

[RoosGirl]

Speaking of "wow" ... I really hit a nerve. 

Happy new year, dear.   

You could only wish.  I've just noticed a pattern with your posts this morning.  I was congratulating you.  You should enjoy the rare compliment from me when you can.

[bigheadfred]

You can come sit next to me with the rest of us stupid people @RoosGirl.

[RoosGirl]

You can come sit next to me with the rest of us stupid people @RoosGirl.

And I would feel right at home @bigheadfred !   

[INVAR]

For TBR's NTs .... you're not alone!   

Speaking of "wow" ... I really hit a nerve. 

For the record, for all the bitching you people do about being 'tired of' the same old NT arguments - it's shit like this and your snark-in-the-face and constant flick-our-noses because we do not worship and genuflect at the altar of Trump, that keeps this permanent rivalry stoked for nastiness.

The NT issue keeps coming up with bitter thread arguments because you people insist on regurgitating it, as if these silly and insipid efforts to shame those who do not seig-heil your political savior is somehow going to change any minds. 

All you continue to do, is widen the gulf to the point that I cannot discern the difference in threat to liberty with groupthink between you or the Left.

[Night Hides Not]

And I would feel right at home @bigheadfred !   

Please save a spot for me. Even though I find Bret Stephens an odious elitist pissant, RIV just posted the column to finally get a few hits on one of her threads. I’ve noticed that most of her threads are dominated by her talking to herself.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think it might be a nice time to point out this article is about LEFTIST "Never Trumpers," and any random shots being taken at any of the Never Trump folks here are conflating the two in order to cast some Briefers in a very negative light, possibly deliberately.  IOW, just another stating of the old argument "If you aren't 100% for Donald Trump, you are actually for Hillary Clinton."

This was debunked last year, but it still comes up.

[Night Hides Not]

For the record, for all the bitching you people do about being 'tired of' the same old NT arguments - it's shit like this and your snark-in-the-face and constant flick-our-noses because we do not worship and genuflect at the altar of Trump, that keeps this permanent rivalry stoked for nastiness.

The NT issue keeps coming up with bitter thread arguments because you people insist on regurgitating it, as if these silly and insipid efforts to shame those who do not seig-heil your political savior is somehow going to change any minds. 

All you continue to do, is widen the gulf to the point that I cannot discern the difference in threat to liberty with groupthink between you or the Left.

Your last paragraph is money. I think they’re laying the groundwork for the day after the midterms, to blame us for the coming blowout. You know, “if only you would have supported OUR President and his agenda, this never would’ve happened.”

IOW, they’re adopting the leadership of their Dear Leader: when $hit happens, it’s YOUR fault.

[Sanguine]

"I agree with every one of the policy decisions mentioned above. But I still wish Hillary Clinton were president."

He must be joking. Only he is not...

Here is further proof - as though any more were needed - that although we may one day cure cancer, there's no cure for stupid.

Donald Trump still annoys me. I wish he would stop his occasional fits of juvenile and boorish behavior.

But I thank God each and every day that he and not the serial liar, grifter and racial leftist Hillary Clinton was elected President.

Me too.

[Oceander]

RiV is, once again, concerned that she hasn't been able to enforce her religious hegemony on the rest of us. 

[Night Hides Not]

I think it might be a nice time to point out this article is about LEFTIST "Never Trumpers," and any random shots being taken at any of the Never Trump folks here are conflating the two in order to cast some Briefers in a very negative light, possibly deliberately.  IOW, just another stating of the old argument "If you aren't 100% for Donald Trump, you are actually for Hillary Clinton."

This was debunked last year, but it still comes up.

The distinction is lost on most Orange Brigadiers.

[Mod1]

Enough with the personal insults.

[Right_in_Virginia]

For the record, for all the bitching you people do about being 'tired of' the same old NT arguments - it's shit like this and your snark-in-the-face and constant flick-our-noses because we do not worship and genuflect at the altar of Trump, that keeps this permanent rivalry stoked for nastiness.

The NT issue keeps coming up with bitter thread arguments because you people insist on regurgitating it, as if these silly and insipid efforts to shame those who do not seig-heil your political savior is somehow going to change any minds. 

All you continue to do, is widen the gulf to the point that I cannot discern the difference in threat to liberty with groupthink between you or the Left.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year @INVAR .   

[mountaineer]

Geez, passive aggressive much?