Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez announced Thursday night that he won’t run for a third congressional term.
While he explained a “desire to build a fuller family life is at the heart of my decision,” the former professional football wide receiver also claimed there is no room in his district for someone who dissents from Trumpism.
Instead of social media sound bytes, you can listen to the Republican’s rationale here and decide.
It is ironic and troubling that you can espouse conspiracy theories or cater to white nationalists today, but review all the information and decide not to treat the January 6 rioters as patriots, and you’ll be harassed. This lunacy is toxic for the GOP.
On the same front, former president George W. Bush delivered a stirring speech in western Pennsylvania commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11, which some deemed to most meaningful rhetoric of the day.
A lot more people would agree if they listened to the entire 10 minutes, instead of focusing on half of a paragraph that noted:
“And we have seen growing evidence that the dangers to our country can come not only across borders, but from violence that gathers within. There is little cultural overlap between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home. But in their disdain for pluralism, in their disregard for human life, in their determination to defile national symbols, they are children of the same foul spirit. And it is our continuing duty to confront them.”
Those 74 words caused many right-leaning people in Trump world to take offense — mainly on the behalf of others.
Trump, who notoriously blamed Bush for the 9/11 attacks at a 2016 debate, and lost all three branches of government in one term, was triggered.
"Bush led a failed and uninspiring presidency. He shouldn’t be lecturing anybody!" Trump ranted in part.
If Bush gave the same speech September 11, 2020, would it be clear he was talking about Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters spending much of the summer determined “to defile national symbols”? Of course.
For thin-skinned Trump and his acolytes to take offense at criticism of rioters is effectively taking ownership of them. Why is criticizing January 6 insulting to any Republicans?
Trump haters on the left claim Trump voters supported the January 6 riot, but nearly 75 million Trump voters surely do not believe it was a good day for America.
Meanwhile, a former two-term Republican president (Trump wishes he was 2-0) condemning “violent extremists” should not initiate a response from conservatives other than condemnation of all violent extremism.
In reality, we were blessed to have Bush in office on our worst day.