I meant to post this on Wednesday, but other issues and Novak Djokovic got in the way. But although directly related to Tuesday's primaries, the very point of the thing transcends into the future.
The specific matter in question did get some attention, if only for the humiliation factor. But I think it's all worth noting for much more than just the pure humiliation factor, which is saying a lot because the humiliation factor is really very high. North Carolina had a primary on Tuesday. One of the people running for the Republican nomination to the seat in the 11th District was Lynda Bennett. The seat was open because its previous holder, Mark Meadows, resigned it to become Trump's chief of staff. He gave Ms. Bennett is endorsement. So, too, wholeheartedly, in several enthusiastic tweets, did --
Lynda Bennett lost the GOP primary. Let me rephrase that -- Lynda Bennett lost the GOP primary in a landslide vote by 30 points.
She not only had the repeated "Complete & Total Endorsement" from Trump, but also from his chief of staff Mark Meadows whose seat she was running for. And the person she was running against wasn't even eligible to be a congressman! He's only 24 years old -- though he'll turn 25 before the next Congress is seated, should he win in the general election, and will be eligible then. This is how "loved" Trump *actually* is in the Republican Party. Trump often talks about how meaningful his endorsements are, but he leaves out how many of them lose. Even ones that are slam dunks -- like this. But also remember the Wisconsin primary a few months ago. Trump endorsed the Republican running for the Supreme Court -- and seriously when was the last time you even heard of a president endorsing a candidate for a state Supreme Court?? (I think a fair guess would be "never.") And consider, too, the no sitting Supreme Court justice running for re-election in Wisconsin had lost in over 30 years. The Republican justice, with Trump's endorsement, lost. Remember, too, that Doug Jones is the U.S. Senator from Alabama despite being a Democrat in a state so red that traffic lights look upon it with envy. And Trump endorsed his opponent. And the Democrat Jones still won. (Okay, in fairness, his opponent was an accused pedophile...but hey, Trump endorsed him, so I'd suggest that's even worse.) And there are others, many others. But this one yesterday is notable above them all. It's a presidential election year. It's the seat of his chief of staff. The chief of staff endorsed her. Trump enthusiastic endorsed her. And she not only lost, but was crushed by 30 points. By someone not even eligible yet to be elected. This is very bad. And this speaks horribly for how supportive Republicans are to Trump in a presidential election year during a pandemic when going out to vote might be very difficult and risky. Which points to something I've suggested -- that other than the deep Republican base, Republicans might not be willing to risk their lives in November to vote for Trump. I don't know for certain if Lynda Bennett losing the Republican primary despite Trump's endorsement is a sign that supports that. I do know that it's a horrible indication for Republicans going into the presidential election for evidence that they will support their leaders. And in the end, this is not about Trump. It's about the elected members of the Republican Party who enable him and are complicit. And Republicans in the North Carolina district don't seem too enthralled with their leadership. Join the club.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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