Posted on 06/22/2016 5:52:34 PM PDT by Kaslin
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: Let me address something. I've had a couple of emails today, and I should mention this so that you don't think I'm trying to sweep anything under the rug here. I've had emails today from people who say, "You sound awfully enthusiastic about this guy. You know, Trump's not a conservative, Rush. You should be out there pushing Ted Cruz. With all this talk about getting rid of Trump, it's an opportunity to get Ted Cruz back in as the nominee. You're a conservative leader. You ought to be leading that movement."
I said, "Wait a minute. I have not misled anybody at any point during this campaign. From the moment the primaries began, I have been blunt-force up front with everybody about the objective here, which is to beat Hillary Clinton. I don't care with what. There isn't anything worse." We can't... Folks, we can't withstand -- culturally, economically, politically -- we can't withstand another four years of what we've just had the last eight, and that's what it would be, and it would be worse because it would be four more years on top of what are already 7-1/2 (by that time eight) years of genuine destructive politics from the highest office in the land.
For me, this has always been about one thing, and that's about beating Hillary. Whoever the nominee of the Republican Party was going to be was going to get my support. "What about conservatism, Rush?" I don't think I've changed a whit here, folks. Other people have. But for 27 years you've been able to tune in here every day and be confident of what you're gonna get, and you've been able to be confident that it's being honestly spoken to you.
Do I wish Trump were better at certain thing? Do I wish Trump were more instinctive? Of course. But I think no matter who the nominee was, we were going to have problems. Some people would have more problems than others, given who the nominee was. But I can go through the list of people that might have been the nominee and I can pretty much recite what objectives from various Republicans would be. But the greatest unifying aspect we have in this race is Hillary Clinton.
And, look, I know, folks. Within the conservative movement and within the Republican Party and any other group that's, by definition, not liberal there are all kinds of people worried to death that various things are being abandoned here. Various concepts, precepts, principles are being abandoned. And I know that there are people who think that we're gonna get slaughtered no matter what we do. And, worse, I know some people who want us to be slaughtered.
There's all kinds of people on our side who think the best lesson that could happen is if Trump gets beaten in huge landslide so that we don't make this mistake again. I've heard that philosophy argued one way or the other since the beginning days of this program. And there's one thing I've learned: I don't ever see the advantage in losing. I just haven't been able to find it. I haven't been able to find victory in losing.
And in this case, defeating Hillary and everything else that goes along with that is paramount to me. I'm by no means confident that it can happen, and I want to be, so I'm looking for hopeful signs that this can happen, and I do think they're there. I think she's a weak, weak candidate. I think she has vulnerabilities left and right. She is not loved. She's not adored. Her negatives? You talk about Trump? Her negatives are almost as high as his are to the point they cancel each other out.
But my support for defeating Hillary Clinton is not meant and does not in any way signal that I am -- what's the term? -- going soft on core beliefs or core principles. You know, my favorite phrase has become a cliche. But I still like it. "It is what it is." You have to be... I'm the mayor of Realville. You have to deal with what you have to deal with. It doesn't do anybody any good to wish things were different. Unless you have an opportunity to make them different. And I don't think that makes much sense right now, but we shall see.
END TRANSCRIPT
Please don't.
I am so tired of you little rebels acting as if your support or non-support matters, and implying that the rest of us have to kiss your blooming ass and "behave" to your satisfaction, in order for you, Ryan-like, to reluctantly get on board.
Don't like Trump? I don't give a crap. Don't vote for him.
Just get out of the damn way.
I realize that this is an in-group forum where people like to let off steam. Still, it's read by -- or indirectly influences -- millions of persons. It's important that Cruz supporters, even Bush supporters and Kasich supporters, show up on election day and vote against Hillary -- that is, for Trump (the only viable alternative). We all know that persons in the opposition disagree about many things. A little restraint in the insults until after the election, though -- not a total cessation of criticism, of course -- may serve to bring about a better result.
Taking Rush as an example, that's exactly what he does. It doesn't guarantee victory, but it's better than tearing ourselves apart, and allowing Hillary to march on to victory against a weakened opposition.
> I am so tired of you little rebels acting as if your support or non-support matters...
I’m not little, and my support matters as much as yours (probably more).
If I didn’t make myself clear, I couldn’t care less if someone stays home in the presidential election because I criticize Mark Levin. I don’t recall turning control of my opinions over to anyone.
This crap is like Michael Medved today saying Trump has to offer the VP position to Paul Ryan by this weekend. We have an awful lot of dictators in their own minds out there. They are not dictators in reality.
> ...but Trump may actually do some of the things he says he will.
Yes. I’m not sure he will, but I know he’ll do better than the alternative.
How about reading my posts again, and seeing if your response makes sense?
> I couldn’t care less if someone stays home in the presidential election because I criticize Mark Levin.
Why not? That person’s vote is worth as much as yours.
> I don’t recall turning control of my opinions over to anyone.
I’m recommending a strategy — and giving reasons for it — not dictating it.
Ok you explained yourself, and I wasn’t the one criticizing them (today), but personally I’m not interested in withholding my opinion about radio commentators, I do not consider it a valid reason for anyone to vote yea or nay. The whole purpose of FR is for people to express opinions and read opinions, not to tip toe around anything.
Just my opinion.
>>>I have no doubt that if Trump hadn’t won the primaries, many of his supporters would have refused to support the Republican nominee (many said so on this forum)<<<
Completely disagree. I’m a former Cruzer, but he didn’t get the Votes and his momentum was very short lived. He turned out to be a Regional Candidate.
I saw more of the Never Trump contingent here rearing its head long before the Trump supporters got upset with Cruz.
I believe the truth is opposite of what you are implying.
Just my $.02, your mileage may vary.
Fine.
> I do not consider it a valid reason for anyone to vote yea or nay.
I don’t either (but some persons may).
“I just think that letting off steam, as opposed to building unity to help Trump defeat Hillary, is not a good idea.”
Exactly! And until I started seeing the epithets coming like ack-ack form the Cruzers I tried my best to refrain from joining the fray. But as one who was originally a Cruz supporter, I felt that he just wasn’t the quality person that I thought him to be at the outset. As for Rush and Levin, they are dialed in to what’s going on. They know all the players, and they are smart enough to figure out who’s who in the zoo. That they would stay with Cruz and Rubio, in the face of their “performances” was, and still is unacceptable to me. So I’m in a “throw all the bastards out mode,” and that includes them sorry to say. I used to trust them, but I never will again because of their support for men who weren’t and still aren’t worthy in my opinion.
Yep, both him and Levin promoting Trump today (from what I've read on other threads). Frankly, I don't care for people who buy new team gear AFTER their team wins the championship. I want to see the people with the dirty, torn team gear that was purchased when their team was 4-12. Rush and Levin are both VERY LATE to the party, and frankly I don't care what either of them thinks ...about anything. They both are seeing the serious drop in their ratings and are now scrambling to recover. I say screw 'em.
> Completely disagree. I’m a former Cruzer...I saw more of the Never Trump contingent here rearing its head long before the Trump supporters got upset with Cruz.
I didn’t compare their relative likelihood not to support the nominee, just drew my conclusions about Trump supporters from some of the comments I saw here. Let’s hope nearly all the Cruz supporters end up voting for Trump, else we’re in trouble.
Ah, the "Do you know who I am?" gambit.
Anyone expressing such a brag is always a nobody.
Name one single soul to whom your Hamlet-like "shall I or shall I not support Trump" musings matter.
Trump. He needs all the support he can get.
Saying my supports matters as much as yours (probably more) isn’t much of a brag. I’m a nobody in terms of national or international reputation, but can vote — at least once — and write lucidly, I hope, in support of whichever candidate I favor.
supports — support
Agree you’re a nobody. And, to come full circle, no one is begging for your support, so stop pretending it’s some great prize for which the rest of us must plead.
That kind of response is the reason I added “probably more” to my remark.
You're just another online scold, and you have no power here. Begone.
Personally I say thank you Rush. Grudging support is still support, and if this settles some minds, good.
I could criticize some of what he said during the primaries, but they’re over. If he’s right now, I’ll acknowledge that much.
EXACTLY.
All people have flaws, none are perfect. Since candidates are people, it stands to reason that all candidates are flawed.
We do not get to choose between the perfect and the less-than-perfect. I prefer Trump's strengths and flaws to anyone else's. I believe he is perfectly suited for this time and place.
I am not apologizing for my support of Trump.
Reluctant support is not support! This is for Rush and all the other lukewarm supporters. Support the man or get out of our way!!!
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