On January 11, 2021 @EWErickson believed a Trump-inspired insurrection had taken place on January 6. By 2024, it’s dismissed as “a left/media talking point.”
I see some people calling this hypocrisy or cowardice, but my view is conservatives who know Trump is a dangerous criminal but line up behind him anyway are making a rational calculus that this is the best way to ban abortion and keep rich people’s taxes low.
@mattyglesias Or maybe he became more educated and changed his mind
@mattyglesias The tax cut argument is underrated. Waiting to see how the deficit hawks defend extending them. Should be good for a few laughs.
@mattyglesias Who may we consult that “knows” that former President Trump is a “dangerous criminal”?
Not going to call your view wrong because it is your view. But no, non-Trump conservatives are backing Trump because it is a better option than Biden. Simple as that. Conservatives have saw 4 years of Trump and like his policies better than that latter. This election is not about abortion, as much as dems want it to be.
@mattyglesias January 6 became a Rorschach test after about six months of media spin
@mattyglesias Sure, but in order to do that, they absolutely delude themselves. I have no doubt that Erickson has talked himself into the whole thing being overblown.
@mattyglesias Biggest incentive for Republicans to back Trump is their own corruption.
@mattyglesias It's not about the issues, it's a cult. Fealty to Dear Leader is what gives them meaning. It's the party of Smithers
@mattyglesias Although Erickson is in the liminal space, like a lot of NR writers: anti anti Trump so he presumably will vote for somebody else.