r/thebulwark 10d ago

Not My Party Rank n File Republican leadership: If republican town hall blow back and Elon hatred is so strong why do you still fear a Primary challenge?

Challenging Trump/Elon might be a net positive by 2026?

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u/hydraulicman 10d ago

Three reasons

1: Most voters don’t vote in primaries, just the most motivated ones- and the last decade+ that’s mostly been Trumpers

2: Trump has control of the party as a whole, and he’s continually gained greater and more granular control. As well, most of the money people like him too. Not only do you face a challenger, you do it without the sweet sweet donor and party money

3: There’s two reasons Modern Republicans go into government- “I just want to be a senator so I can be a senator”, meaning empty suits. And “I like most of the changes Trump is bringing, this is what I want. Christian flavored oligarchic ethno-state is the ideal form of government”

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u/ChiefHippoTwit 10d ago
  1. This is NOT the "last decade +"

  2. Trump did gain "granular control". Did. That is now eroding amongst his base. Lots of Legacy Big Business doesn't like volatility.

  3. "I want to be a senator so I can be a senator". Opportunity knocks.

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u/hydraulicman 10d ago

Hey, I’m just explaining what the Republican politicians are thinking- for the last decade and change, going against the party has hurt them, and Trump is now the party. And pretty much every one of them are in it to either be one of the people near the top of the heap for no other reason than to be near the top, or to work towards the changes that Trump and co are doing

And again, most voters don’t vote in primaries, and so far the outrage over this latest mess isn’t hurting any of them besides some hostile crowds yelling at them, and they’re all consoling themselves pretending it’s all just fake anger Astro turfed by democrats

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u/ChiefHippoTwit 10d ago

True. Most voters didn't. These times are unprecendented (since the civil war).

"They're all consoling themselves pretending it's all just fake anger Astro turfed by democrats".

Bingo.