Thanks for these (disturbing) insights. My personal problem with Biden's speech was that he didn't really give an alternative for non-MAGA Republicans other than to switch to the Democrats. I also don't care for any calls for unity, which are simply unrealistic. The country has always been divided by political lines. Rather, I'd prefer to see him draw a line, acknowledge legitimate debate and say something along the lines of, "My Fellow Americans, I implore you this fall to vote only for candidates who stand for upholding democracy, be they Democrats or non-MAGA Republicans." By giving his stamp of approval to non-MAGA Republicans, I think he would make a better case for Republicans who care to feel that Biden is talking about them and including them in the realm of legitimate political competition. I hope you get my drift.
As a rhetorical matter, I can see value in Biden saying something along the lines of what you're suggesting. But I think the reality is that there isn't much of a choice these days for a GOPer who genuinely abhors Trumpism. If you vote for a non-Trumpy Republican for the House, for example, you're ultimately voting for Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, and that will mean two years of absurd investigations designed, among other things, to derail any accountability for Trump himself. I know it's a ruthless logic, but I'm afraid that's where we are.
Thanks for these (disturbing) insights. My personal problem with Biden's speech was that he didn't really give an alternative for non-MAGA Republicans other than to switch to the Democrats. I also don't care for any calls for unity, which are simply unrealistic. The country has always been divided by political lines. Rather, I'd prefer to see him draw a line, acknowledge legitimate debate and say something along the lines of, "My Fellow Americans, I implore you this fall to vote only for candidates who stand for upholding democracy, be they Democrats or non-MAGA Republicans." By giving his stamp of approval to non-MAGA Republicans, I think he would make a better case for Republicans who care to feel that Biden is talking about them and including them in the realm of legitimate political competition. I hope you get my drift.
Steve,
As a rhetorical matter, I can see value in Biden saying something along the lines of what you're suggesting. But I think the reality is that there isn't much of a choice these days for a GOPer who genuinely abhors Trumpism. If you vote for a non-Trumpy Republican for the House, for example, you're ultimately voting for Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, and that will mean two years of absurd investigations designed, among other things, to derail any accountability for Trump himself. I know it's a ruthless logic, but I'm afraid that's where we are.