The fact that there are no guarantees is not a criticism of the choice to make decisions based on the likely projections that the advisors are feeding him. There are no guarantees either way. The decisions must be made without data. The decisions will inevitably be criticized by history with the benefit of hindsight. It's just as likely that they are erring too far one way as much as the other.

This post was edited by Kayeto on Mar 28 2020 01:22am

Nonsensical? I mean, if Trump ever had a reason to btfo someone in his own party this is it. Politically, Massie is an extremist who has no serious base of support, no powerful allies, and he was threatening to undermine an absolutely critical response and in doing so would get blame heaped all over his own party. Massie's loyalty to Trump was only skin-deep and had routinely voted against him and they are not even close to aligned. If we're looking at the rational self-interest of the actors here, thumping massie had very few downsides and plenty of upsides. Trump even manages to boost his own reputation on handling this crisis at Massie's expense. Attacking people like John McCain and Mitt Romney carried a lot more risks for Trump, and they never pulled a stunt this bad.

And by having acted like a total Masshole and having also forced all the Democratic congressmen to fly in and risk exposure, he has burned all bridges. With Romney and McCain, you always had a little bit of bipartisan defense coming from the Democratic side whenever Trump went after them. But after this stunt, nobody, absolutely nobody will be coming to Massie's aid.

it's funny. you constantly complain about those issues. and while i agree that they should definitely not be put in an emergency relief bill as long as republicans are present, who of course don't care about any of that, and oppose it on behalf of their donors, i haven't seen a single post about the non-sensical pet projects of republican lawmakers that actually MADE it into the bill, the massive handouts to their special interest friends in their home states...

Content-wise it was total nonsense.

I quote:
"By empowering the Radical Left Democrats, do nothing Kentucky politician
@RepThomasMassie
is making their War on the 2nd Amendment more and more difficult to win (But don’t worry, we will win anyway!). He is a disaster for America, and for the Great State of Kentucky!"

Trump is weak on 2a and was donating to the Clintons while people like Massie were consistently supporting the 2nd amendment.

Massie's "extreme" view was following the constitution and requesting a vote on the largest spending bill in the history of the world.

I said I understand his motives behind it, but it makes the content no less stupid and the action no less scummy.

Way to brainlessly repeat the idiotic and childish kerry insult.

"absolutely nobody will be coming to his aid" vs reality:


Senator Rand Paul


Rep Justin Amash


Rep Justin Amash


Senator Mike Lee


Rep. Warren Davidson


The dailywire's matt walsh 301k followers



left wing host Krystal Ball 342k followers


The Rush Limbaugh show had him on:


Michael Tracey


Rep. Chip Roy


Col. Rob Maness ret.


Rep Paul Gosar


This post was edited by cambovenzi on Mar 28 2020 03:22am

I agree with massie.

I stand corrected. From Congress, his friend, mentor and like-minded wrench-thrower Rand Paul, Justin Amash whose political career is already over and 2 backbencher Reps have defended him. The only defender that really carries weight in this matter is Mike Lee.

Still... after an unprecedented attack from the President against a member of his own party, only 4 out of 250 Republicans in Congress have defended him. More than I thought, but still speaks to how marginalized the libertarian strain of the Republican party has become.

'no one and I mean absolutely no one will ever defend him!!!'

'oh whats that several congressmen did? they dont count'

If you meant the establishment rats that should be watering trees right now wont defend him then say so. It has an entirely different meaning.

This post was edited by cambovenzi on Mar 28 2020 03:36am

Like I said, I was a bit hyperbolic. My core argument, namely that Massie's stance has only VERY marginal backing in Congress, still stands.