It’s not just the lockdowns (that he publicly tweeted how “bad” Sweden did in April 2020 because they didn’t lock down). It’s also the fact he promised RFK jr to audit the childhood vaccine schedule (as required by the 1986 law) for possible harm (which has never been done, only new vaccines added), and to clean up the science requirements for the Vs. When Pfizer got wind, they donated a million to his campaign, and then Trump put Gottlieb—former Pfizer exec—on the FDA. What rolled out from there was banning effective treatments (IVm and HCQ) even though docs with 30+ years in ICU experience had contacted him to let him know their death rates were 50% that of their peers not using it, and that was in critical care. He also ignored the virologists telling him vaccinating during a pandemic would drive variants, and allowed doctors to be shut down. To put icing on the cake, he incentivized hospitals to vent patients at hundreds of thousands per patient, which killed patients. As far as I’m concerned, he helped all this happen so “his” fast-tracked vaccine could come to market so he could look like the hero he believes he is.
He’s also ignoring people reaching out to him about their family deaths and their own injuries. He made a comment no one has been harmed by his vaccine, in complete denial.
As far as I’m concerned, he also likely has huge Pharma investments. Why do I beliehe this? His own actions. Plus, His daughter spent years saying not only should everyone get free vaccines, but free daycare. That’s not a conservative value to me.
In my opinion, he will do anything that benefits himself, and if it benefits everyone else too, great. Anyone who gets in his way is to be destroyed.
PS. When Santorum was running in 2011, Trump publicly called him an idiot. Santorum called him to clear the air (not the other way around) and trump told him he’s “too pro-life” and “too conservative.” Knowing Trump was a lifelong democrat, said on meet the press in 1999 he is firmly pro-choice, and tried to get a woman thrown off her own property with eminent domain so he could build his business, I held my nose to vote for him before.
Turns out, I lost more constitutional rights under him in 2020 than any of my 48 previous years (including Carter when I remember, as a kid, waiting in line for an hour for gas on our gas day). Then Trump brags we did better because of our lockdowns. Sorry, no, as a survivor of a narcissistic abuse relationship, I see the love bombing, then the lies and restrictions. The problem is, people are in such hero worship of him because they had cheap gas, they can’t see the mass psychosis formed in 2020…or somehow it’s not Trump’s fault (and they can’t point to single part of the “swamp” drained by trump. Fauci? Birx? Education? IRS? )
I do not understand why there is any reticence around acknowledging the fact that our massive C19 response failure is the responsibility of President Trump. It was clear from the very beginning that his incompetence and complete lack of leadership skills were directly responsible for what was nothing other than a runaway bureaucratic train. This is a great op-Ed and I hope it is the beginning of some accountability but the fact that Trump’s responsibility isn’t immediately grasped by many on the right is especially concerning. Also, there is no reference to Warp Speed and the mRNA pharmaceutical products. That’s on him too.
I agree wholeheartedly. Trump showed us his lack of critical thinking skills. He thought he could BS his way through COVID because that is what he has always done. He failed to take into account that there could be other liars out there better than himself (Fauci and Birx’s). Trump is not the way to win in 2024.
According to your logic, the current administration should also be disqualified. They continued the lockdowns and even now will not lift the "emergency". BTW, who is qualified?
Well said and measured—you don’t want to know what my thoughts have been. I was a reliable democrat until Biden. Now I know the truth but I would not vote for Trump under any circumstance. I won’t vote at all if we are stuck with him and the former VP squatting in MY White House. None of any stripe ever drain the swamp but add layers of their own kind of damage to We the People. It’s the same dance with the devil—with 2 faces. They just take turns leading. But if GOP get their act together I may consider a vote or 2. I’m not living in hope however.
I agree with you on Trump and so many other terrible things he did that you didn't write about. Many of the commenters in WSJ have the same opinion as my friends. 'Trump was forced to do what he did by the media.' I would ask them who runs our country, the media or the President, but why bother. They ask "what was he supposed to do?" How about be a leader, have some integrity, speak the truth, and do what he knew was right. He waited WAY to long to bring Scott Atlas on board. It's funny when they say 'he didn't want to lock the country down, but he was forced to'. Really? Isn't that the ultimate sign of weakness?
Trump was a weak president and we can see that. But they can't or don't want to. The vast majority of voters in our country are just plain dumb. Almost all of my friends are Trump supporters and opposed lockdowns, but they don't blame him and never will. There is a lot of blame to go around, and what's more important now is holding people accountable for what was done and preventing it from happening again.
The other point that needs to be made is that there will be way worse options on the GOP primary ballot than Trump.
"Disqualifying" is an awfully categorical word. Lockdowns are a black mark on Trump's record (and not the only one). But he may end up being the best available alternative. If the only other option is someone like Larry Hogan or (God help us) Gavin Newsom, it would be a shame if we'd already "disqualified" Trump because he's less than ideal.
On the other hand, if an even better alternative is available, great. But even then, there's a long continuum between being second-best and "disqualified".
You can like or hate Trump as President, but he got played by bureaucrats. He and Cuomo allowed their narcissism to be weaponized against them. They enjoyed being "must see tv" so much they didn't think about the consequences long term.
No way. You're nuts. You just want to try to hurt him. Trump heavily advocated therapeutics and everyone knows that the last thing Donald Trump would have evee done to the country that he loved so much would have been to lock down "Main Street," the Mom and Pop small businesses who would lose everything they'd worked for.
But, because of the insistance by the "authoritative 40-year professionals" Fauci and Birx, and their fake knowledge about dealing with pandemics they pretended to have, he had to follow what they told him he would have to do. Dr. Birx showed him the "modeling" that she said predicted all the millions of deaths that would occur if he didn't lock everyone done. It was later found that she used the modeling of a fakester in England who was known in close circles to always over predict. His predictions through the years had always been way off target.
Great points and I totally agree. I have to say, though, at this point the greater issue he needs to repent on is Operation Warp Speed. The vaccines have arguably caused more death and harm than any other aspect of the covid nightmare and he's STILL touting the jabs as his greatest accomplishment. Unless he acknowledges the fiasco of the jabs and apologizes for his role, I can't see supporting him in 2024.
-I’m not a Trump fanboy, but most of the damage was done on the state and local level… this also applies to Antifa/BLM riots.
-Trump is used to delegating responsibility and trusting experts. He was surrounded by deep state scum he trusted, when he shouldn’t have.
-There’s a chance it was all show to begin with, and Trump was a deep state agent himself, acting as opposition.
-I’ll gladly throw Trump under the bus if it gets accountability for everyone involved in this COVID scam.
All that to say, who gives a shit… I’ll go to the polls on Election Day, mark my little bubbles next to the “R” because they promise to restore the constitution, knowing full well that if the “R” wins, it’ll be a deep state rhino, and if not, enough ballots will appear in the middle of the night when the security cameras go down, to push the “D” to a win…
Have you read Scott Atlas’ account from inside the White House? It’s pretty clear from his account that Trump didn’t want lockdowns and brought Atlas in so that he could combat lockdowners like Fauci and Birx. Politically, it was impossible for him to contradict them or fire them because the media had elevated them to almost god-like status.
Fauci and Birk did the lockdowns. Don’t you remember? Trump said he was not going to lock us down, but they went behind his back and did it anyway. Birk traveled to Dem lead states and told them to lock down. She admits it in her book. She tells how her a Fauci threw Trump under the bus and did their own thing. Wake up people, stop with the bullshit narrative and see what is happening here. I have been following all sides of this and the way the pandemic was handled was to derail Trump. All the investigations etc... no indictment, nothing. Why? There is no crimes. Don’t you think if there was those in charge of the Dem party would have already convicted him to get him out of the way? Yes! What is wrong with all of you? Wake up!
There's a whole lot of truth in what you wrote. And a whole lot more truth that you didn't write. More that indicts Trump, and more that is exculpatory. But the inescapable fact is that at a time the nation and the world needed an American president to stand up and say, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself," or, "we will bear any burden, pay any price for the cause of freedom," we heard, "run, cower and hide from the big bad germs." Only brave "essential" workers should venture out. As if any of us are nonessential humans?!?!
Trump even buckled under to the mask fetishists. In August, 2020 he sent an email encouraging supporters to "just wear the mask" after being badgered by media and opponents to do so. That signal took mask usage from 65-70% up to 90%. Those of us refusing to mask felt abandoned, it became much harder, the attacks and vitriol grew.
Trump failed us, Patriots, in the US and those outside the US willing to bear the burden, pay the price for freedom, because we had nothing to fear. All true.
That said, Trump couldn't trust a soul in his circle of advisors. Most all had betrayed him, lied to him, put him through phony investigations and an impeachment instead of shutting them down early when they should and could have. Trump was left to govern by his instincts. Most good, but some rotten. Trump is a noted germophobe. Meticulously. Which led to his run, cower and hide from the big bad germs instinct approach.
Yet also within him is a notion of freedom. After his emergency order he often said he opposed mandates. He encouraged governors and local officials to reopen, and mandates. Without realizing that by releasing fear into the populace it had taken on its own life. He tried, but couldn't put that evil genie back in the bottle. Which was his undoing.
The media played him. He bowed to the will of "the enemy of the people" with his initial pandemic response. And even his push for experimental jabs, still lauding them, claiming they work, no acknowledgement of harm. Trump's biggest failures of all.
Principiis obsta, Finem respice—Resist the beginnings, Consider the end. He failed this test of wisdom.
But for the other alternatives he would and should be disqualified from being president again. Justin's indictment, my indictment are powerful cases. So let's examine DeSantis. He also locked down Florida. The first several months were as terrible as the rest of the nation. People arrested for being at the beach. Churches, schools, businesses, all closed, many never reopened. The first six months of life were as lost in Florida as they were in many blue states. Most of his executive orders and even laws passed by a friendly legislature were routinely ignored by local governments and schools. He'd get the press but not the result. Months of court challenges left restrictions in place. He even lost the cruise line showdown over vax proof. Lots of freedom victories were illusions, declared but not won.
There's no mistaking the Florida has been more free than most states since 2020. But it's not been the bastion of freedom many of us wanted and that's touted.
And most importantly, DeSantis signed an aggressive vaccine registry bill in 2020-2021. Government database to be used by health officials as they see fit. And businesses they are able to coerce with it.
Little discussed is Florida's most draconian in the nation health emergency powers laws on the books. Passed under Jeb! Bush following 9-11. Quarantine camps, forced jabs, less protections for freedom and choice than even NY, MI, CA. The most extreme health emergency powers in the nation are in Florida. Available to officials, at their discretion.
Florida is only the "free state" of the pandemic by choice of the governor. His successor might not make the same choices in the next health emergency. Who is his successor?
Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nunez would step into the office if DeSantis moves on in 2024. Who is Jeannette Nunez? The former government affairs and policy director for Jackson Memorial Health, one of the nation's largest hospital systems. She's served on several other big hospital boards, even during her years as a state legislator.
Big hospitals. That's her background and loyalties. How much faith do you put in big health after their support and enforcement of mask and jab mandates, deeming woke BLM protests "safe" to be let out of lockdowns, "gender affirming" surgery and puberty blockers, calls for DOJ to arrest protesters. That's who DeSantis would leave in charge of Florida, with the most draconian, harshest, restrictive health emergency powers in the hands of. Only restrained by her discretion.
How's that for a legacy in Florida for DeSantis compared to Trump? If DeSantis is going to get my support he's going to have to earn it. This legislative session beginning in January. He has to roll back the Jeb! Bush-inspired health emergency dictatorial powers any successor could use. Because they are real. Really that bad. And his hand-picked successor has a really bad industry background that covets draconian emergency dictatorial powers.
DeSantis needs to make more real changes to Florida and health freedom, not just make press clipping vapors that change little when challenged.
And any Trump alternative needs to do the same. Because most are also flawed. And made bad decisions. And few of them have his fight. Few will be the first to step into important cultural minefields like CRT, trans, genital mutilation, woke history revisionism. All have followed Trump's lead on cultural issues that plague us. Nobody else has led where Trump didn't clear a path first.
Trump fights. That's his strength that no other candidates can compare. Sometimes unwisely. But he fights. And as has been said of capitalism, it's the worst economic system, except for all the others. Trump may be the worst candidate. Except for all the others.
They're going to have to earn it. Trump's demonstrated ability to take on the fight for the America we grew up in, love and cherish keeps him from being disqualified despite his poor decisions, even those that put us on the ropes.
Because it is We, The People who will need to fight to restore our nation's glory. Whether it's Trump or DeSantis or any other leader. We need to fight. We cannot be saved by a leader. Which leader inspires the most people to join the fight for our nation and it's constitutional values? Actions, not words out of challengers will be the test. Putting in place laws that protect citizens freedoms and liberty, investigations that expose the false pretenses and coercive and manipulative manufacturing of consent for totalitarianism, these are things that a leader for our nation to do between now and 2024 if it's not going to be Trump.
This is a hard one. I gave everyone some leeway that early on. But, yeah, he should have opened up sooner. His advisors were horrendous. What concerns me more is that even now, he's still touting the injections. Again, I gave it a bit of leeway when he was in office. Operation Warp Speed was his "baby." It would be unrealistic for him to have turned against that. (It would have been refreshing, but unrealistic. This is politics, after all.) But after he left office, and after more harms were coming out, including everyone who lost their jobs, he should have spoken up. Yet he continues to promote these injection even now that the failure of these injections is obvious.
Who knows what will happen from now until November of 2024. If there's no better candidate, I'd have not much of a choice but to vote for him. But I wouldn't be too happy about it.
It’s not just the lockdowns (that he publicly tweeted how “bad” Sweden did in April 2020 because they didn’t lock down). It’s also the fact he promised RFK jr to audit the childhood vaccine schedule (as required by the 1986 law) for possible harm (which has never been done, only new vaccines added), and to clean up the science requirements for the Vs. When Pfizer got wind, they donated a million to his campaign, and then Trump put Gottlieb—former Pfizer exec—on the FDA. What rolled out from there was banning effective treatments (IVm and HCQ) even though docs with 30+ years in ICU experience had contacted him to let him know their death rates were 50% that of their peers not using it, and that was in critical care. He also ignored the virologists telling him vaccinating during a pandemic would drive variants, and allowed doctors to be shut down. To put icing on the cake, he incentivized hospitals to vent patients at hundreds of thousands per patient, which killed patients. As far as I’m concerned, he helped all this happen so “his” fast-tracked vaccine could come to market so he could look like the hero he believes he is.
He’s also ignoring people reaching out to him about their family deaths and their own injuries. He made a comment no one has been harmed by his vaccine, in complete denial.
As far as I’m concerned, he also likely has huge Pharma investments. Why do I beliehe this? His own actions. Plus, His daughter spent years saying not only should everyone get free vaccines, but free daycare. That’s not a conservative value to me.
In my opinion, he will do anything that benefits himself, and if it benefits everyone else too, great. Anyone who gets in his way is to be destroyed.
PS. When Santorum was running in 2011, Trump publicly called him an idiot. Santorum called him to clear the air (not the other way around) and trump told him he’s “too pro-life” and “too conservative.” Knowing Trump was a lifelong democrat, said on meet the press in 1999 he is firmly pro-choice, and tried to get a woman thrown off her own property with eminent domain so he could build his business, I held my nose to vote for him before.
Turns out, I lost more constitutional rights under him in 2020 than any of my 48 previous years (including Carter when I remember, as a kid, waiting in line for an hour for gas on our gas day). Then Trump brags we did better because of our lockdowns. Sorry, no, as a survivor of a narcissistic abuse relationship, I see the love bombing, then the lies and restrictions. The problem is, people are in such hero worship of him because they had cheap gas, they can’t see the mass psychosis formed in 2020…or somehow it’s not Trump’s fault (and they can’t point to single part of the “swamp” drained by trump. Fauci? Birx? Education? IRS? )
I do not understand why there is any reticence around acknowledging the fact that our massive C19 response failure is the responsibility of President Trump. It was clear from the very beginning that his incompetence and complete lack of leadership skills were directly responsible for what was nothing other than a runaway bureaucratic train. This is a great op-Ed and I hope it is the beginning of some accountability but the fact that Trump’s responsibility isn’t immediately grasped by many on the right is especially concerning. Also, there is no reference to Warp Speed and the mRNA pharmaceutical products. That’s on him too.
I agree wholeheartedly. Trump showed us his lack of critical thinking skills. He thought he could BS his way through COVID because that is what he has always done. He failed to take into account that there could be other liars out there better than himself (Fauci and Birx’s). Trump is not the way to win in 2024.
According to your logic, the current administration should also be disqualified. They continued the lockdowns and even now will not lift the "emergency". BTW, who is qualified?
Well said and measured—you don’t want to know what my thoughts have been. I was a reliable democrat until Biden. Now I know the truth but I would not vote for Trump under any circumstance. I won’t vote at all if we are stuck with him and the former VP squatting in MY White House. None of any stripe ever drain the swamp but add layers of their own kind of damage to We the People. It’s the same dance with the devil—with 2 faces. They just take turns leading. But if GOP get their act together I may consider a vote or 2. I’m not living in hope however.
I agree with you on Trump and so many other terrible things he did that you didn't write about. Many of the commenters in WSJ have the same opinion as my friends. 'Trump was forced to do what he did by the media.' I would ask them who runs our country, the media or the President, but why bother. They ask "what was he supposed to do?" How about be a leader, have some integrity, speak the truth, and do what he knew was right. He waited WAY to long to bring Scott Atlas on board. It's funny when they say 'he didn't want to lock the country down, but he was forced to'. Really? Isn't that the ultimate sign of weakness?
Trump was a weak president and we can see that. But they can't or don't want to. The vast majority of voters in our country are just plain dumb. Almost all of my friends are Trump supporters and opposed lockdowns, but they don't blame him and never will. There is a lot of blame to go around, and what's more important now is holding people accountable for what was done and preventing it from happening again.
The other point that needs to be made is that there will be way worse options on the GOP primary ballot than Trump.
"Disqualifying" is an awfully categorical word. Lockdowns are a black mark on Trump's record (and not the only one). But he may end up being the best available alternative. If the only other option is someone like Larry Hogan or (God help us) Gavin Newsom, it would be a shame if we'd already "disqualified" Trump because he's less than ideal.
On the other hand, if an even better alternative is available, great. But even then, there's a long continuum between being second-best and "disqualified".
You can like or hate Trump as President, but he got played by bureaucrats. He and Cuomo allowed their narcissism to be weaponized against them. They enjoyed being "must see tv" so much they didn't think about the consequences long term.
No way. You're nuts. You just want to try to hurt him. Trump heavily advocated therapeutics and everyone knows that the last thing Donald Trump would have evee done to the country that he loved so much would have been to lock down "Main Street," the Mom and Pop small businesses who would lose everything they'd worked for.
But, because of the insistance by the "authoritative 40-year professionals" Fauci and Birx, and their fake knowledge about dealing with pandemics they pretended to have, he had to follow what they told him he would have to do. Dr. Birx showed him the "modeling" that she said predicted all the millions of deaths that would occur if he didn't lock everyone done. It was later found that she used the modeling of a fakester in England who was known in close circles to always over predict. His predictions through the years had always been way off target.
Not even a good try.
Great points and I totally agree. I have to say, though, at this point the greater issue he needs to repent on is Operation Warp Speed. The vaccines have arguably caused more death and harm than any other aspect of the covid nightmare and he's STILL touting the jabs as his greatest accomplishment. Unless he acknowledges the fiasco of the jabs and apologizes for his role, I can't see supporting him in 2024.
My thoughts:
-I’m not a Trump fanboy, but most of the damage was done on the state and local level… this also applies to Antifa/BLM riots.
-Trump is used to delegating responsibility and trusting experts. He was surrounded by deep state scum he trusted, when he shouldn’t have.
-There’s a chance it was all show to begin with, and Trump was a deep state agent himself, acting as opposition.
-I’ll gladly throw Trump under the bus if it gets accountability for everyone involved in this COVID scam.
All that to say, who gives a shit… I’ll go to the polls on Election Day, mark my little bubbles next to the “R” because they promise to restore the constitution, knowing full well that if the “R” wins, it’ll be a deep state rhino, and if not, enough ballots will appear in the middle of the night when the security cameras go down, to push the “D” to a win…
Agreed. Vowed I couldn’t vote for trump (unless there is no alternative) after reading Scott Atlas’ book.
Have you read Scott Atlas’ account from inside the White House? It’s pretty clear from his account that Trump didn’t want lockdowns and brought Atlas in so that he could combat lockdowners like Fauci and Birx. Politically, it was impossible for him to contradict them or fire them because the media had elevated them to almost god-like status.
Fauci and Birk did the lockdowns. Don’t you remember? Trump said he was not going to lock us down, but they went behind his back and did it anyway. Birk traveled to Dem lead states and told them to lock down. She admits it in her book. She tells how her a Fauci threw Trump under the bus and did their own thing. Wake up people, stop with the bullshit narrative and see what is happening here. I have been following all sides of this and the way the pandemic was handled was to derail Trump. All the investigations etc... no indictment, nothing. Why? There is no crimes. Don’t you think if there was those in charge of the Dem party would have already convicted him to get him out of the way? Yes! What is wrong with all of you? Wake up!
There's a whole lot of truth in what you wrote. And a whole lot more truth that you didn't write. More that indicts Trump, and more that is exculpatory. But the inescapable fact is that at a time the nation and the world needed an American president to stand up and say, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself," or, "we will bear any burden, pay any price for the cause of freedom," we heard, "run, cower and hide from the big bad germs." Only brave "essential" workers should venture out. As if any of us are nonessential humans?!?!
Trump even buckled under to the mask fetishists. In August, 2020 he sent an email encouraging supporters to "just wear the mask" after being badgered by media and opponents to do so. That signal took mask usage from 65-70% up to 90%. Those of us refusing to mask felt abandoned, it became much harder, the attacks and vitriol grew.
Trump failed us, Patriots, in the US and those outside the US willing to bear the burden, pay the price for freedom, because we had nothing to fear. All true.
That said, Trump couldn't trust a soul in his circle of advisors. Most all had betrayed him, lied to him, put him through phony investigations and an impeachment instead of shutting them down early when they should and could have. Trump was left to govern by his instincts. Most good, but some rotten. Trump is a noted germophobe. Meticulously. Which led to his run, cower and hide from the big bad germs instinct approach.
Yet also within him is a notion of freedom. After his emergency order he often said he opposed mandates. He encouraged governors and local officials to reopen, and mandates. Without realizing that by releasing fear into the populace it had taken on its own life. He tried, but couldn't put that evil genie back in the bottle. Which was his undoing.
The media played him. He bowed to the will of "the enemy of the people" with his initial pandemic response. And even his push for experimental jabs, still lauding them, claiming they work, no acknowledgement of harm. Trump's biggest failures of all.
Principiis obsta, Finem respice—Resist the beginnings, Consider the end. He failed this test of wisdom.
But for the other alternatives he would and should be disqualified from being president again. Justin's indictment, my indictment are powerful cases. So let's examine DeSantis. He also locked down Florida. The first several months were as terrible as the rest of the nation. People arrested for being at the beach. Churches, schools, businesses, all closed, many never reopened. The first six months of life were as lost in Florida as they were in many blue states. Most of his executive orders and even laws passed by a friendly legislature were routinely ignored by local governments and schools. He'd get the press but not the result. Months of court challenges left restrictions in place. He even lost the cruise line showdown over vax proof. Lots of freedom victories were illusions, declared but not won.
There's no mistaking the Florida has been more free than most states since 2020. But it's not been the bastion of freedom many of us wanted and that's touted.
And most importantly, DeSantis signed an aggressive vaccine registry bill in 2020-2021. Government database to be used by health officials as they see fit. And businesses they are able to coerce with it.
Little discussed is Florida's most draconian in the nation health emergency powers laws on the books. Passed under Jeb! Bush following 9-11. Quarantine camps, forced jabs, less protections for freedom and choice than even NY, MI, CA. The most extreme health emergency powers in the nation are in Florida. Available to officials, at their discretion.
Florida is only the "free state" of the pandemic by choice of the governor. His successor might not make the same choices in the next health emergency. Who is his successor?
Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nunez would step into the office if DeSantis moves on in 2024. Who is Jeannette Nunez? The former government affairs and policy director for Jackson Memorial Health, one of the nation's largest hospital systems. She's served on several other big hospital boards, even during her years as a state legislator.
Big hospitals. That's her background and loyalties. How much faith do you put in big health after their support and enforcement of mask and jab mandates, deeming woke BLM protests "safe" to be let out of lockdowns, "gender affirming" surgery and puberty blockers, calls for DOJ to arrest protesters. That's who DeSantis would leave in charge of Florida, with the most draconian, harshest, restrictive health emergency powers in the hands of. Only restrained by her discretion.
How's that for a legacy in Florida for DeSantis compared to Trump? If DeSantis is going to get my support he's going to have to earn it. This legislative session beginning in January. He has to roll back the Jeb! Bush-inspired health emergency dictatorial powers any successor could use. Because they are real. Really that bad. And his hand-picked successor has a really bad industry background that covets draconian emergency dictatorial powers.
DeSantis needs to make more real changes to Florida and health freedom, not just make press clipping vapors that change little when challenged.
And any Trump alternative needs to do the same. Because most are also flawed. And made bad decisions. And few of them have his fight. Few will be the first to step into important cultural minefields like CRT, trans, genital mutilation, woke history revisionism. All have followed Trump's lead on cultural issues that plague us. Nobody else has led where Trump didn't clear a path first.
Trump fights. That's his strength that no other candidates can compare. Sometimes unwisely. But he fights. And as has been said of capitalism, it's the worst economic system, except for all the others. Trump may be the worst candidate. Except for all the others.
They're going to have to earn it. Trump's demonstrated ability to take on the fight for the America we grew up in, love and cherish keeps him from being disqualified despite his poor decisions, even those that put us on the ropes.
Because it is We, The People who will need to fight to restore our nation's glory. Whether it's Trump or DeSantis or any other leader. We need to fight. We cannot be saved by a leader. Which leader inspires the most people to join the fight for our nation and it's constitutional values? Actions, not words out of challengers will be the test. Putting in place laws that protect citizens freedoms and liberty, investigations that expose the false pretenses and coercive and manipulative manufacturing of consent for totalitarianism, these are things that a leader for our nation to do between now and 2024 if it's not going to be Trump.
This is a hard one. I gave everyone some leeway that early on. But, yeah, he should have opened up sooner. His advisors were horrendous. What concerns me more is that even now, he's still touting the injections. Again, I gave it a bit of leeway when he was in office. Operation Warp Speed was his "baby." It would be unrealistic for him to have turned against that. (It would have been refreshing, but unrealistic. This is politics, after all.) But after he left office, and after more harms were coming out, including everyone who lost their jobs, he should have spoken up. Yet he continues to promote these injection even now that the failure of these injections is obvious.
Who knows what will happen from now until November of 2024. If there's no better candidate, I'd have not much of a choice but to vote for him. But I wouldn't be too happy about it.