The Establishments war on Donald Trump
See other The Establishments war on Donald Trump Articles
Title: The Collapse of the Never-Trump Conservatives
Source:
American Spectator
URL Source: https://spectator.org/the-collapse-of-the-never-trump-conservatives/
Published: Jun 29, 2018
Author: Emerald Robinson
Post Date: 2018-06-30 09:03:46 by Tooconservative
Keywords: None
Views: 6349
Comments: 29
For some, it must have been in March when Bill Kristol, longtime editor of the conservative magazine the Weekly Standard, showed up in New Hampshire telling people he would run against President Trump in 2020. Or in April when the conservative website RedState was taken over and purged of writers who were “insufficiently supportive” of the president. Some go back to October 2017 when a Twitter spat broke out between Stephen Hayes and Brit Hume of Fox News over the Weekly Standard’s anti-Trump editorials. With the death last week of Charles Krauthammer, the revered neocon commentator and prominent Trump skeptic, the eclipse of the neocon intellectuals is complete. One thing’s for sure: it wasn’t really a war so much as a rout. The Never Trump intellectual crowd has no momentum and no popular following these days. Consider the trajectory of their would-be leader Kristol, who appears to be indulging in a personal fantasy by putting himself forward as a candidate, as his rapport with GOP voters includes trying to run Evan McMullin in Utah to throw the 2016 election to Hillary Clinton. When that stunt failed, Kristol personally insulted the pro-Trump writer Michael Anton for his influential essay “The Flight 93 election.” Then Kristol’s commentator gig with Fox was not renewed, and he was soon accusing Tucker Carlson of “ethno-nationalism” and “racism.” Overshadowing all of these breaks was Kristol’s personal history of being the conservative’s answer to Bob Shrum, a political “pro” who was always very wrong about politics. Of course, Kristol was not alone in his contempt for Trump — he was only the most vocal and unhinged. Alongside him were other conservatives like Jennifer Rubin and George Will and Michael Gerson at the Washington Post; Bret Stephens at the Wall Street Journal; David Brooks and Ross Douthat at the New York Times; Jonah Goldberg and David French at National Review; Ramesh Ponnuru at Bloomberg; and Erick Erickson at RedState. A number of others, people like David Frum and Ana Navarro, committed political seppuku early and endorsed Hillary Clinton. Needless to say, the careers of most of these people have been curtailed dramatically. What happened? If these intellectuals were so influential in the conservative movement, then why has their apostasy garnered so little attention? A Ramesh Ponnuru editorial in Bloomberg blurted out this truth: “In 2016 we found out that conservative elites didn’t speak for Republican voters.” This split between the party’s base and its donor class (as well as the donor-funded intellectuals) was years in the making, but it became obvious once Trump became the nominee. Then the truth became obvious and damning: the Never Trumpers represented no one but themselves. Looking back, it now seems self-evident that conservative pundits were preposterously out of touch. (Who isn’t amused by the poindexter pretentiousness of George Will’s bow-ties or the pseudo-scholarly piffle of Jonah Goldberg’s byline as “the inaugural holder of the Asness Chair in Applied Liberty?”). These intellectuals barely noticed the opioid crisis running through small town America; or the base’s anger regarding illegal immigration; and they were adamantly opposed to any restriction of free trade while working class frustrations mounted over NAFTA and its ilk. (This explains why J. D. Vance and his book Hillbilly Elegy was Washington’s must-read book of 2017: it provided a portrait of rural America that the political class could digest without condescending to visit such places or talk to such voters.) It turns out that conservative intellectuals, living inside the “Acela Corridor” and funded exclusively by think tanks and foundations, are poor barometers of Republican voter concerns. This myopia has several causes. The first is a kind of cultural “capture” that occurs when conservatives live in blue districts and big cities too long. They become, in other words, clueless (RINOS). The second reason is more obvious: many of these people are paid to be openly hostile to Trump’s agenda. The free trade absolutists at AEI and Cato are on salary to oppose any protectionist trade policies. Likewise, hawkish interventionists such as Max Boot knew they had no professional future once Trump’s isolationist instincts became policy. There is also a low-testosterone, dilettantish strain of conservatism that has overdeveloped in the “mainstream” media to create such sterile hybrids as Michael Gerson and George Will and David Brooks. Nothing sunk these so-called wise men lower in the estimation of their fellow conservatives than their blithe indifference to the Clintons’ gangsterism. While Trump threw wild verbal haymakers at Hillary at campaign rallies, these intellectuals were basically on TV announcing they would be accommodationists for the Clinton Machine’s inevitable victory. Trump’s base was fighting a war; these guys were sipping tea. The contrast in styles of conservatism was stark: it was the pugnacious billionaire against the stuffy wimps. The greatest disconnect is religious and cultural: the Republican Party is overwhelmingly Caucasian and Christian and traditional on social issues, while its pundits skew Jewish and agnostic and libertarian. Krauthammer wanted to have it both ways, which is not unlike the hedging that Brooks and Goldberg have displayed. George Will went so far as to say: “I’m an atheist. An agnostic is someone who is not sure. I’m pretty sure. I see no evidence of God.” Meanwhile, Gerson is a liberal Episcopalian who took to the pages of the Atlantic to attack evangelicals for supporting Trump. In sum, the conservative intellectuals didn’t understand the base’s concerns about religious liberty because they hardly cared for religion — which should have disqualified them long ago. The curious uniformity of the Never Trump crowd extends beyond them being heretics who claim to be spokesmen for the Christian base. On every important issue of the election, it was hard to find one of them who could even articulate Trump’s position, let alone support it. Tucker Carlson was one of the few to see this stupidity early and he registered his dissent well in a break-out essay: The sad truth was that the Never Trumpers were not safeguarding the ideas of conservatism so much as themselves. Carlson nailed the heart of the matter: “If Trump is leading a populist movement, many of his Republican critics have joined an elitist one. Deriding Trump is an act of class solidarity, visible evidence of refinement and proof that you live nowhere near a Wal-Mart.” That is why the continuing success of the Trump Presidency has been met with escalating anger and vituperation from the Never Trumpers — the news cycle is a daily reminder that they were wrong about everything. Can you be wrong about everything and still be part of the elite? That is a question being asked in front of many mirrors inside many Washington mansions today. Many people mistook their policy positions for principles, and Trump has made them look foolish. What do they stand for now? What does it mean to be conservative if you’re not clear about what you’re conserving? Credit David Brooks, of all people, with waving the white flag first this April, and with some humility when he admitted that “Part of the problem is that anti-Trumpism has a tendency to be insufferably condescending.” Brooks then basically summarized the great failure of the Never Trumpers as “an epic attempt to offend 40 percent of our fellow citizens by reducing them to psychological inferiors.” Meanwhile his former comrade, George Will, was not for surrender or appeasement. He had finally found an enemy to relish: his fellow conservatives. One measure of Will’s self-exile was the indifference his most recent column elicited, though it urged Republicans to vote against the GOP at the midterms “for their own good.” Was anyone still listening? It was Will who sagely warned the world mere days before the election: “Until the Republican Party gets right with minorities in this country, it’s never going to win another presidential election.” Not content with that spectacular blunder, Will had doubled down with attacks on Billy Graham and Vice President Mike Pence. The symbolism of such stunts, at least, was clear. As a model conservative, Will stands alone in his own estimation. And what could be more conservative than voting for liberal Democrats? In that sense, Will’s latest column was merely the fitting coda to a long career of effete snobbery — one that had led him to “leave the party” before it won the White House and march off into the wilderness. (Someday, his columns from the Trump years will be collected and they should be titled: “An Apotheosis of Narcissism.”) He would take his tea and his bow-tie elsewhere. The headmaster of the stuffy wimps would not take part in the victory of the counter-punchers. At last, like so many of his fellow Never Trumpers, he was a pundit without a party and, ultimately, without an audience. Poster Comment: With a second Court appointment, the real question to the NeverTrump "conservatives" is "So you would really have a 6-4 radical Left majority on the Court?". It's over for them. They're done now. It's too late for them to repent.
With the installation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and a yet-to-be-named reliable replacement for the unreliable Anthony Kennedy, Donald Trump will have confirmed himself as the most consequential conservative president of the modern era (or a close second to Reagan if you’re nostalgic). This will be complete vindication for Trump supporters, which means it’s really the end for the so-called Never Trump conservatives. Of course, there have been so many humiliating defeats for that crowd that we are spoiled for choice. What was your favorite blunder, or blown prediction, which marked their ignominious end? Conservative voters are being scolded for supporting a candidate they consider conservative because it would be bad for conservatism? And by the way, the people doing the scolding? They’re the ones who’ve been advocating for open borders, and nation-building in countries whose populations hate us, and trade deals that eliminated jobs while enriching their donors, all while implicitly mocking the base for its worries about abortion and gay marriage and the pace of demographic change. Now they’re telling their voters to shut up and obey, and if they don’t, they’re liberal.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Tooconservative (#0)
Everyone at National Review.
Not really. Rich Lowry is fairly pro-Trump. He switched when Trump focused on deregulation via EOs. Not just Lowry, there are a few others who aren't NeverTrumpers or who backed away from it. I really liked King Troll, hugging the flag. World-class trolling. The Left went insane of course.
Trump was having fun in Nevada last week too.
6-3, had Hillary been elected. With Trump, a solid 5-4 conservative court. If Ginsberg goes, that would be a solid (and young) 6-3 conservative court. But the Democrats will go absolutely apeshit if Ginsgerg retires during a Trump presidency. Then, if the “Wise Latina Woman" retires for health reasons, prepare for mass Democrat seppuku.
Don't feel oh so special, the dem wing of the party has an equally idiotic narrative. Trump = Hillary
Sorry, mistyped and didnt proof it. Anyway, the line from the NeverTrumpers was known as the "But Gorsuch..." argument. The NeverTrumpers kept saying that the Trump supporters had traded the elevated moral positions of the pre-Trump GOP for a mess of pottage and one Supreme. A second pick for SCOTUS really does completely demolish that argument. If a NeverTrump is still NeverTrump after the Kennedy retirement, it is because they did want Hitlery to appoint a 6-3 Left SCOTUS and replace Ginsberg/Breyer to transform America irrevocably for the next 40 years. Hence, my interest in posting an article about the sour and bitter end of the NeverTrumpers. People like McStain's former campaign manager who just denounced the GOP and resigned from it. All so he can have some little pundit job on a liberal panel at the networks. Who knew these guys were so desperate for money?
He's the new voice of Trump conservatives. He gets it. He's as pissed off as the rest of us, and doesn't mince words. A liberal has to be insane or a masochist to go head-to-head with him on his show.
During the Presidential campaign, a lot of people were predicting more court openings. If Trump did nothing for 8 years except appoint 2 (3?) U.S. Supreme Court justices, it would have been a wildly successful Presidency.
All they want is their 15 minutes of fame, even if they get their asses kicked. Building that name recognition and brand is very valuable to any of these media whores. New Yorkers say there is no such thing as bad publicity and they are (almost) right about that. And who can say they're wrong? Trump turned his Apprentice show into a presidency based on his ability to outrage libmedia and attract $2 billion worth of free coverage that swamped his 16 GOP opponents.
I've seen pundits at various sites making exactly that argument this week. A few are even predicting that this will cement his re-election in 2020.
For starters. The base also wanted tax cuts for themselves and businesses and an end to Obamacare. Huge issues.
I've started to wonder if the Dems have finally exhausted their Outrage Army. It has to be grueling to stay so angry all the time. Twitchy: ‘No policy, just HOSTILITY’! #WalkAway proves Democrats are in SERIOUS trouble and it’s GLORIOUS Too soon to tell if this is a real trend.
David Brooks is about as conservative as Joe Scarborough. PBS puts him opposite Mark Shields and you can interchange the two. Along with Judy Woodruff, two more reasons to defund PBS ... before I put a bullet through my expensive TV.
You would think. But they just get crazier. Seriously. Now they oppose every nominee on Trump's list of justices, even before interviewing them. Mindless opposition just because Trump appointed them ... to replace a retiring conservative justice.
Hard to imagine anything preventing that.
They're getting crazier but are their numbers shrinking substantially? No way to know just yet. I know I find them exhausting, just watching them. How much more so for their True Believers if their constant crises produce almost nothing with the Court taking a more conservative turn? They can't hope for easy Court victories to win that which they could never win in Congress. When that sinks in, the Left will go into a suicidal tailspin. That's when you'll start to see the Left crazies trying to just shoot Republicans. Like the one who stalked and threatened Ajit Pai's children over the end of net neutrality recently. (Hopefully, he'll have 10 years in a real federal prison to reconsider his priorities.)
This is where you lose all credibility. That is the most absurd statement you have made. Its akin to fire = ice. Trump has done more for the right than Rand or Ron Paul could ever do in a life time. I have respect for both but Trump is grabbing this bull by the horn and turn it around. No one in my life time has stopped let alone been able to turn this Regressive bull around. You may die before the fruit of Trumps doing comes to bare but you should be happy at his accomplishments that out do all presidents in the last 50 years combined and he has had just over one year. Has fought the nevertrumper rinos, Regressive MSM and Demoncrats. Trump will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents in America. Well if you love America as a constitutional republic.
Exactly. Past major liberal victories were won in the courts, not in Congress - - abortion, gay rights, Obamacare, all religious issues.
I believe it. Of course, the liberals will deny being responsible while secretely congratulating each other on making it happen. And the media will get their headlines and make money off the tragedy.
But will people buy it? Pelosi and Schumer are trying to put a cork in Crazy Maxine before it blows up in their faces. But then, Mad Maxine is an "extraordinary low IQ person", at least according to the leader of the Western world. I loved that. What other pol would have the guts to say it? None. Which is why Trump still isn't actually a politician.
I would pay good money to watch that !!!
Si vis pacem, para bellum Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. Never Pick A Fight With An Old Man He Will Just Shoot You He Can't Afford To Get Hurt "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." (Will Rogers) AMERICA! Designed by geniuses. Now run by idiots.
Unless a Democrat announces, "Kill all Republicans", the Democrats, Hollywood, and the MSM will all deny any threats. Worst case, they will say (and have said) that Trump started the violent rhetoric on the campaign trail at his rallies. Forget that was years ago and nothing ever happened.
But will enough people still believe them? How many times does the boy get to cry "Wolf" before people just start saying "Fuck off."? The Left is a very needy and exhausting toddler. These tactics work only so long as people aren't "woke" to resist them. Once someone finally realizes they're just sick of it, the tide of public opinion can turn very very quickly. There are signs of a Great Awakening to how the Left tries to dictate every aspect of our daily lives. Republicans benefit by being the leave-me-alone party. Interesting to see how it works out.
Trump = Hillary Yes your sliver of traitors is pathetic. I'm happy you finally admitted you are an idiot. It is good to know your limitations retard.
I'm happy They say that ignorance is bliss..... Enjoy it while you can.
HorseHillary! Those idiots aren't going to collapse. Not now,not ever. Trump is the equivalent to Satan from their POV. He is not only "out of control",but he never bothered to kiss ANY RINO rings OR asses,and suddenly he is the most important Republican in the nation. They are a cult,and like all cultists,they will NEVER forgive him for this.
In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
Be still my beating heart!
In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
The NeverTrumper conservative elite, people like Bill Kristol and George Will, are increasingly revealed as people whose opinions have never mattered to anyone at all. It drives them completely insane. That this fall from their former high estate came at the hands of Donald F.'ing Trump just makes it seem more cruel to them.
It drives them completely insane. That this fall from their former high estate came at the hands of Donald F.'ing Trump just makes it seem more cruel to them. Yes,and I am loving every single minute of it.
In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
Jonah Goldberg and David French at National Review;
#2. To: misterwhite (#1)
(Edited)
Everyone at National Review.
#3. To: misterwhite (#1)
#4. To: Tooconservative (#0)
(Edited)
"So you would really have a 6-4 radical Left majority on the Court?".
#5. To: Tooconservative, *The Two Parties ARE the Same* (#0)
#6. To: misterwhite (#4)
6-3, had Hillary been elected. With Trump, a solid 5-4 conservative court.
#7. To: Tooconservative (#0)
Tucker Carlson was one of the few to see this stupidity early
#8. To: Tooconservative (#6)
A second pick for SCOTUS really does completely demolish that argument.
#9. To: misterwhite (#7)
A liberal has to be insane or a masochist to go head-to-head with him on his show.
#10. To: misterwhite (#8)
If Trump did nothing for 8 years except appoint 2 (3?) U.S. Supreme Court justices, it would have been a wildly successful Presidency.
#11. To: Tooconservative (#0)
These intellectuals barely noticed the opioid crisis running through small town America; or the base’s anger regarding illegal immigration; and they were adamantly opposed to any restriction of free trade while working class frustrations mounted over NAFTA and its ilk.
#12. To: misterwhite (#11)
(Edited)
#13. To: Tooconservative (#0)
Credit David Brooks, of all people, with waving the white flag first this April,
#14. To: Tooconservative (#12)
I've started to wonder if the Dems have finally exhausted their Outrage Army.
#15. To: Tooconservative (#10)
A few are even predicting that this will cement his re-election in 2020.
#16. To: misterwhite (#14)
You would think. But they just get crazier. Seriously.
#17. To: hondo68 (#5)
Trump = Hillary
#18. To: Tooconservative (#16)
They can't hope for easy Court victories to win that which they could never win in Congress.
#19. To: Tooconservative (#16)
That's when you'll start to see the Left crazies trying to just shoot Republicans.
#20. To: misterwhite (#19)
Of course, the liberals will deny being responsible ...
#21. To: misterwhite (#4)
" prepare for mass Democrat seppuku "
#22. To: Tooconservative (#20)
But will people buy it? Pelosi and Schumer are trying to put a cork in Crazy Maxine before it blows up in their faces.
#23. To: misterwhite (#22)
Unless a Democrat announces, "Kill all Republicans", the Democrats, Hollywood, and the MSM will all deny any threats.
#24. To: hondo68 (#5)
Don't feel oh so special, the dem wing of the party has an equally idiotic narrative.
#25. To: A K A Stone, Never America Conservatives (#24)
#26. To: Tooconservative (#0)
This will be complete vindication for Trump supporters, which means it’s really the end for the so-called Never Trump conservatives.
#27. To: misterwhite (#4)
Then, if the “Wise Latina Woman" retires for health reasons, prepare for mass Democrat seppuku.
#28. To: sneakypete (#26)
Trump is the equivalent to Satan from their POV. He is not only "out of control",but he never bothered to kiss ANY RINO rings OR asses,and suddenly he is the most important Republican in the nation.
#29. To: Tooconservative (#28)
The NeverTrumper conservative elite, people like Bill Kristol and George Will, are increasingly revealed as people whose opinions have never mattered to anyone at all.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]