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Well, well, well. The New York Times has an Op Ed by a "Sane" Republican [1]

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Date: 2023-03-05

Mr. Hogan, former governor of Maryland, former chair of the National Governors Association, and what passes for a sane Republican these days.

One has to give the Gray Lady credit for persistence. The Paper of Record is doing what it can to preserve the idea that there are still Republicans who aren’t crazy radicals. (Which they also do by omission, because you are never going to see The NY Times refer to any Republican as a crazy radical, an insurrectionist, or a cult leader. It would be uncivil.)

So when a Republican with some putative standing in the party, one who was in a high elective office, bemoans the influence of Trump and Trumpism on the Republican Party, what better thing to do than give him some editorial space?

Hogan has to start out with usual disclaimers for this kind of standard bushwa.

I truly appreciate all those around the nation who have for many years encouraged me to run for president. After eight years of pouring my heart and soul into serving the people of Maryland, I have no desire to put my family through another grueling campaign just for the experience. I would never run for president to sell books or position myself for a cabinet role. I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party. And that is why I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for president.

News Flash for Governor Hogan: Any future you may have had in the Republican Party was over a long time ago.

I will spare you the rest of this save for one section that really gives the game away.

..An encouraging trend for Republican politics lies in the fact that the excesses of progressive elites have created the opportunity to attract more working-class voters from all different backgrounds. But many in the Republican Party falsely believe that the best way to reach these voters is through more angry, performative politics and bigger government. These are just empty calories that can’t sustain the lasting governing coalition necessary to restore America. I still believe in a Republican Party that stands for fiscal responsibility and getting the government off our backs and out of our pockets. I still believe in a Republican Party that celebrates entrepreneurship and economic opportunity for every American. I still believe in a Republican Party that backs law enforcement and the rule of law. I still believe in a Republican Party that works to secure peace through strength in our dangerous world. I still believe in a Republican Party that can win not just the electoral college or the popular vote but sweep landslide elections with an inclusive, broad coalition of Americans and a hopeful, optimistic vision for America’s future. And I still believe in a Republican Party that upholds and honors perhaps our most sacred tradition: the peaceful transfer of power...

If anyone can read that last sentence without doing a spit-take, more power to you.

That ship sailed a long, long time ago. At best this might be called the last gasp of Reaganism — when it was still possible to swallow this bog-standard GOP Snake Oil with a straight face. Citing “the excesses of progressive elites” is a tell — and probably irresistible bait for The NY Times editorial board.

Sorry Mr. Hogan — not buying it. For all that you reject Trump, the real problem for the Republican Party is not that Trump changed it. He revealed what it was all along. There’s a straight line from Reagan to Trump, and the slippery slope has long been greased with Snake Oil. Your real problem is that these days the GOP Snake Oil is laced with Fentanyl and it’s bad for your business.

Enjoy spending more time with your family. Don’t call us — we’ll call you.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/3/5/2156357/-Well-well-well-The-New-York-Times-has-an-Op-Ed-by-a-Sane-Republican

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