Shadow Dancing

David Drucker, senior political correspondent at the Washington Examiner, joins The Remnant for the first ...

By

David Drucker, senior political correspondent at the Washington Examiner, joins The Remnant for the first time to discuss the state of the Republican Party post-Trump and what the 2024 election cycle will bring. Why do so many Republicans choose to minimize Trump’s destructive tendencies? What can we expect from Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and other major players going forward? And will the next presidential candidate redefine the GOP’s image? 

Show Notes:

–David’s new book, In Trump’s Shadow

–David’s page at the Washington Examiner

Keep reading with a free account
Create a free Dispatch account to keep reading Get Started ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN
By
Comments (29)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Avatar photo
    Bill Dyer (aka Beldar)

    Inexplicably missing from the show notes: "Chess Time" skit from Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part 1": https://youtu.be/vrFOr8oF95A

    Collapse
  2. Brian

    Great conversation. One of the better summaries of the current state of the Republican Party that I have heard. Schedule him again.

    Collapse
  3. Joe

    Hard to hear truths from ducker that I believe are true. For the rest of my lifetime, the gop will be trump’s party - emulating not just his behavior but his poor policy choices.

    Collapse
  4. Avatar photo
    Dusty

    I really enjoyed and appreciated this conversation. The discussion over the pragmatism and the points that Drucker makes is all too often missing from many discussions about Trump and the GOP. For a whole lot of people things aren’t nearly as black and white as many may see them. There are a lot of conflicted people weighing pros and cons and the answers aren’t nearly as simple as many believe.

    Collapse
  5. Avatar photo
    Israel Bigelow

    Great discussion. Two smart guys talking about scenarios for 2024. In light of the debate Jonah's piece last week, primarying Trump I think is the better way to take back the GOP although I will vote third party in the scenario he wins. I think Pence is probably the GOP's best chance to move on from Trump but think Jonah has legitimate druthers. The man has baggage but realistically I think he has a much better shot than Nikki Haley or Chris Christie and is being a much savvier politician than many of the other potential candidates. If he has a shot, he can't feud with Trump or stir the anger of his base but David is 100% correct that once the campaigns start, whoever the nominee is will have to show they can fight Trump on the trail and the debate stage. If not, stay home because it'll likely be an uphill fight.

    On another note, I think a takeaway from Trumps tweet on his followers not voting investigating "election fraud" from 2020 may also show that there are prospects to taking back the party. If he depresses his turnout with his volatile conspiracy mongering, could that provide an opening for a new leader to emerge? I hope.

    Collapse
  6. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    Oh also I’d like to point out (this isn’t a complaint, I thought it was funny), when you bleeped Drucker saying “asshole” you bleeped “hole”. So it was “ass-bleep.” Which again I thought was funny but might not have been your intention.

    Collapse
  7. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    This was a very interesting episode. A lot to unpack and I’ll be thinking about it for a while. I was surprised actually by a lot of what Drucker said.

    Perhaps one of the most interesting things was when he said that whoever wants to prove they’re the best 2024 nominee should come out hard against Trump now. Also his asides about talking to Trump at Mar a Lago were kind of funny.

    Collapse
  8. Natty Bumpo

    Worth a listen. Rational discussion about irrational people is helpful at some level. I do not need someone only to 'fight' in a Trumpian manner. Just chaos for the sake of 'winning'. Results are what matter (it might help to have an actual platform to support) - agree with Jonah on this 100%.

    Collapse
  9. R. James

    Why does it seem like Drucker is trying to talk up Pence for 2024? Pence shouldn't get a promotion, because he found his principles after 4 years of carrying water for a demagogue. End of story, next candidate please.

    Collapse
    1. Avatar photo
      Ben Connelly

      Yeah. Pence did the right thing snd I’m glad but I doubt I’d vote for him for anything ever. He already lost my respect for four years and I have trouble actually seeing him as a president. He’d be a weak one.

      Collapse
  10. Avatar photo
    Linda Beggs

    Hearing David Drucker's assessment of the GOP confirmed that I will be remaining ex-GOP for the foreseeable future.

    As a white, college-educated, married, conservative, suburban woman, I used to be a 100% reliable vote for Republican candidates. Rain or shine, primary or general--I was there to pull the "R" lever. No more. I'm actually sick of the fighting and wish we could have some reasonable (even spirited) policy debates between differing ideas.

    I despair at the policies of the Democrats. Nevertheless, I will not be voting GOP as long as Republicans continue to bow to someone I find utterly repulsive.

    Collapse
    1. Maddmac

      word.

      Collapse
    2. Avatar photo
      Carolyn

      Same here. I listened to Drucker's interview with Jason Miller today on his podcast, and after his interview with Jonah and now from the comments made by Jason, I came away thinking the same thing.

      Collapse
      1. Avatar photo
        Todd T

        If you made it through an interview with Jason Miller you have the patience of Job.

        Collapse
        1. Avatar photo
          Carolyn

          It wasn't easy.

          Collapse
    3. Avatar photo
      Linda Beggs

      By the way, attempting to subvert Constitutional order and overturn an election is a "policy."

      Collapse
Load More