Posted on 08/14/2015 5:39:49 AM PDT by C. Edmund Wright
Did we just see Erick Erickson’s Red State draw a red line in the sand in front of Rush Limbaugh? And if so, is it another aspect of the booming dynamic known as “the Trump effect?”
That very case can be made – as Erickson used Red State’s daily email blast lead story from Dan McLaughlin on Wednesday to fire shots across the bow of all talk radio hosts who are in any way supporting Donald Trump. And while Erickson does not have the by-line on this indictment, it is right in line with his recent dis-invitation of Trump to speak at the recent Red State gathering. (snip)
(snip) gauntlet is thrown down on all talkers with the bombastic warning that “all those in a position of leadership…. cable and talk radio hosts, pundits, columnists, bloggers – (who are) actively encouraging the Trump phenomenon, you are neither a conservative nor a Republican anymore and should not expect anyone to take you seriously again.”
There’s nothing else to add to that, other than to notice that a direct endorsement of Trump was not a requirement here – no – merely the encouragement “of the Trump phenomenon” is in and of itself damning.
And just in case anyone still missed the main point of the article, it closed with the harsh notice that “Donald Trump’s feckless campaign is a millstone…. take it off your necks, or be drowned by it.” The close was dramatically stark on purpose.
Translation: Those talk leaders who now speak well of Trump’s campaign are heading for a major embarrassment down the line….and ole Erick will be there to remind them.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
I agree with you sir - and that's part of "THE TRUMP EFFECT" - both his hardest line proponents and hardest line detractors are making it personal and emotional. The irony is? While EE is no Rush, time might exonerate EE on this point, at least to a degree.
In summary, get back on the reservation or we won’t invite you to our party. The GOPe has all the maturity of a junior high girl.
I think the “Trump effect” is nothing more than the mainstream media attempting to boost ratings at the expense of the legitimacy of the Republican party.
The last debate was the highest rated non-sports cable event in history. These people know what they are doing.
Rush and everyone on here who gives legitimacy to Trump is being naive. Like Bruce Jenner, the “rent is too damn high” candidate a couple years ago, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Morton Downey, etc... he is a media sensation. His fame has been created by the media buzz and when they are no longer in need of him, it will be destroyed by the media.
The longer we keep pretending he is a viable candidate, the greater chance of a Democrat in the White House.
“how will this play out if Trump goes liberal on some key issue at a key moment...”
Trump has already done that.
Supported Obama. Supports the Clinton Crime Family Foundation. Supports “a path to Citizenship” for Illegal Invaders.
Has jumped between being a “republican” and a democRAT at least 6 times in the past 20 years.
How much more do you need to know about this unprincipled, self absorbed individual?
Erickson is a pygmy trying to take on Rush for the attention it will garner for him.
And who the hell is this MacLaughlin guy think he is proclaiming who is and who isn't Republican and conservative. I'm more conservative than E.E. and probably more than the author and I'm PROUD to tell anyone who asks that I'm no longer Republican and will never be again.
I think EE is making a huge throw of the dice here and is making a mistake in doing so at this point. Cruz has the right position here, don't poke the bear. Most of us here know that Trump is not a reflexive conservative, yet most of us enjoy how he has stood up to the PC nonsense and the ridiculous idiocy that has become our media.
Like it or not, Trump is in the driver's seat, it's his nomination to win or lose. I'm not saying he's a shoe in, he could flame out any time, but it is his unless he does the flame out himself.
How we deal with that fact is an issue for every conservative. Pointing out that I don't trust him yet is where I am. Pointing out his flip flops, and his recent conservative conversion is important, but going after him like EE and the GOPe is doing is short sighted and foolish.
My 2 cents.
I agree with much of our set up, but not all of your conclusion. I would say that no mention of limited gov or the Constitution is more than a “squiggle.” I would say that funding PP is not a “squiggle.” His assessment of the economic boom, exonerating ALL Democrats, is not a “squiggle.” His idea of punishing Ford, rather than rolling back the liberalism that is making them look at operating a plant in Mexico, is not a “squiggle.”
These are liberal reflexes. The man has many liberal reflexes.
What difference does it make if Trump is goes liberal on a few things? You know, like Boehner and McConnell and all the Bushes past & present? It will be no gotcha moment for Rush.
Trump is not a conservative. He is a narcissist who is currently saying a couple of conservative sounding things.
Erikson is correct in saying that encouraging a candidate with Trump's liberal history is not a conservative thing to do.
Trump’s second issue involves the damaging effect of these “free trade” agreements.
I agree he's in the drivers seat. I would only add that no driver has ever led the race to the end from this early in the race. Well, no insurgent driver. An estab driver can do that, and in fact, needs to do that, but not an insurgent.
Hell, we're only on the first half lap. I would also say Trump is the only one who can bring down Trump - and given that he has demonstrable liberal reflexes EVEN TODAY - I think he will. But no, Fox cannot, the GOP e cannot - in fact, they only strengthen him when they try. But some comment by say Jindal or Walker or someone in a debate could easily be a string that unravels an entire big sweater of liberalism that cannot be ignored.
Why, at this point, are there tensions? The delegation of delegates doent happen for a while yet. The focus on a long distance horse race instead of holding Boners and Ditch’s feet to the fire is a waste of energy.
upon which he agrees with Socialist Bernie Sanders and runs squarely into the opposite side of Ronald Reagan, who’s coattails he is trying to cling to.
I couldn’t agree more. This is the first time in 25 years I’m not listening to Rush. His tacit endorsement of Trump day after day is enough. Usually Rush poo poos polls but all he does is tout the Trump polls w/ NO analysis of Trump’s position. Not a single mention of Trump’s love of eminent domain, which should be a deal breaker for any true conservative. What does Trump have on Rush, I wonder?
Agree with you completely.
I go neanderthal in my thinking before I go PHd.
Trump (to Rush): Newsworthy, chattery, buzzy. “Can’t believe it” kind of curiosity. Rush knows what pulls listeners and he KNOWS that for the most part, anyone who likes him already listens to him. This his audience is at some form of a saturation point, though I know I would get argument about that. But of ALL hosts who *could* achieve listener growth, many listeners will be turning to Rush to hear his take on the Donald. For better or worse, you cannot say Rush is a smart guy and yet say he is unaware of this phenom.
Cruz (to Rush): Oh, that guy.
IMHO, both Rush and Levin secretly fear Cruz is unelectable a la Barry Goldwater and they damn well know the winning of the election is infinitely more important than the purity of the candidate. And in that arena, the purity of Cruz vs Trump, there is utterly no comparison. Thus, IMO, for either of them, they cannot allow the thought trains to proceed on purity. Remember: Not just a conservative, but an electable one.
Just for clarity, I am in no way saying Trump is a conservative. That’s a silly argument. That’s why EE is wasting his time and effort and will end up eating his own exhaust.
A: there are tensions because there's something known as talk radio, something known as cable, and something known as the conservative internet. Maybe you should look into those.
B: Delegate assignments are the RESULT of the public campaign, not the other way around. Bass ackwards is the technical response.
C: This campaign has BEEN ABOUT Boehner and McConnell and the entire GOP establishment. The new nominee will be much more powerful than either of those two clowns, so it's a false choice to say we must only focus on those two and not the Pres election.
Based on observation and many conversations with an intimate friend of his...I'd say school boy infatuation. The theory of this life long friend is that for all of his enormous incredible success and influence, he's not over being the fat kid in middle school and being kept away from the cool kids table. Trump is just about the coolest kid around now. THINK BACK: Rush used to be overly deferent to Rove, when Rove was cool. Again, this is from people who know him personally and have since Cape Girardeau days and another since Kansas City days.
Frankly I don’t much listen to any of them these days. That includes guys like Limbaugh and Levin. I pay attention to their opinions but no more or less than I pay to anyone else.
I do my own thinking and I do my own research.
What I have on the TV right now is the Science Channel “How its made”. Not even remotely political, just simple this is how we make this doodad.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.