I'm especially struck by the results in Michigan's 8th District. Your analysis seems spot-on: Amir Hassan checks the right boxes -- veteran, law-enforcement experience -- but Republican primary voters rejected him even though his opponent had dropped out. His being African American was probably a liability, but the big one has to have been his Arabic name. Abdul El-Sayed's campaign and Michigan Democrats in general probably aren't counting on Republican crossover votes in the U.S. Senate race, but the "independent" ranks surely include plenty of Islamophobes and free-range bigots so I hope they're keeping that in mind.
Good column. One small quibble: Trump held off on endorsing Paxton until it became obvious that Paxton had a big lead in the primary and was probably going to win regardless of what Trump did. Trump presumably didn’t want to endorse Cornyn at that point because he didn’t want to be associated with Cornyn’s likely loss, which is somewhat different than some of his other endorsements of unfit candidates. Trump’s smarter move would have been to either stay out of the race or support Cornyn from the start, and then if Paxton had still lead anyway, to remain neutral. But he wanted to be able to claim credit for Paxton’s win, so he endorsed him. Paxton will probably win the general election even though he’s totally unfit because it’s TX, and Trump will of course claim credit.
I expect you're right Noah but Trump's malign grip on the Republican party and primaries is slipping from what had been a vice like grip to something that still seems pretty strong. The core group of Trump cultists remain numerous enough to make a Trump endorsement, or more accurately a spiteful endorsement of an a replacement for a sitting Republican member to be an imporant consideration and well worth having/avoiding. I think he'll die before he becomes irrelevant.
Good work here. Wisconsin’s election for governor will be another test of this theory. The GOP candidate, Thomas Tiffany, has voted in support of MAGA/Trump positions in the House since he was elected in 2020.
🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼An endorsement from 47 is the kiss of death, it would seem. I love it❣️There’s a limit, and perhaps he has reached it.
I'm especially struck by the results in Michigan's 8th District. Your analysis seems spot-on: Amir Hassan checks the right boxes -- veteran, law-enforcement experience -- but Republican primary voters rejected him even though his opponent had dropped out. His being African American was probably a liability, but the big one has to have been his Arabic name. Abdul El-Sayed's campaign and Michigan Democrats in general probably aren't counting on Republican crossover votes in the U.S. Senate race, but the "independent" ranks surely include plenty of Islamophobes and free-range bigots so I hope they're keeping that in mind.
Good column. One small quibble: Trump held off on endorsing Paxton until it became obvious that Paxton had a big lead in the primary and was probably going to win regardless of what Trump did. Trump presumably didn’t want to endorse Cornyn at that point because he didn’t want to be associated with Cornyn’s likely loss, which is somewhat different than some of his other endorsements of unfit candidates. Trump’s smarter move would have been to either stay out of the race or support Cornyn from the start, and then if Paxton had still lead anyway, to remain neutral. But he wanted to be able to claim credit for Paxton’s win, so he endorsed him. Paxton will probably win the general election even though he’s totally unfit because it’s TX, and Trump will of course claim credit.
He is DISGUSTING. No other word for him.
Short, to the point and absolutely true kdshepa....though on reflection I can think of a few choice words I could call him.
Please, Michael, be my guest!
I expect you're right Noah but Trump's malign grip on the Republican party and primaries is slipping from what had been a vice like grip to something that still seems pretty strong. The core group of Trump cultists remain numerous enough to make a Trump endorsement, or more accurately a spiteful endorsement of an a replacement for a sitting Republican member to be an imporant consideration and well worth having/avoiding. I think he'll die before he becomes irrelevant.
Good work here. Wisconsin’s election for governor will be another test of this theory. The GOP candidate, Thomas Tiffany, has voted in support of MAGA/Trump positions in the House since he was elected in 2020.