Impending Execution Has Concentrated Republican Minds Wonderfully

James Borchuck/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

The Wall Street Journal proves once and for all that Republican politicians are brain dead:

President Trump, unaccustomed to campaigning for others, has settled into a new rhythm with Republican candidates who have found the key to securing a vigorous endorsement from their party’s leader….At rallies in the past two weeks, Republican contenders appear to have figured out how to captivate the party’s leader less than 100 days before the midterm elections. The formula: Cram compliments for the president into a few minutes in the spotlight, and exit the stage with a valuable, superlative endorsement from a beaming president.

They just figured this out? How is this possible? Are they really so obtuse that until recently they didn’t understand the most basic personality characteristics of the guy they and their entire party voted for? Or have they always known but retained slightly too much self-respect to publicly abase themselves thoroughly enough for Trump’s liking—until, that is, the prospect of losing an election concentrated their minds sufficiently? Or both?

The truth needs defenders. Be one.

For 50 years, Mother Jones has been publishing investigative journalism that doesn’t hold back. We’re independent from corporations and uninfluenced by those in power. Our commitment is solely to the truth.

That’s only possible because of you.

Our nonprofit newsroom is funded by donors from every state in the union—blue, red, and purple, all part of a community of readers who care about the future of our democracy.

This week is our spring membership drive, and we need 1,000 new donations to fund the urgent investigations already in our pipeline. Be the reason these stories get told. Make a donation to fund independent journalism, and help us reach our goal this week.

The truth needs defenders. Be one.

For 50 years, Mother Jones has been publishing investigative journalism that doesn’t hold back. We’re independent from corporations and uninfluenced by those in power. Our commitment is solely to the truth.

That’s only possible because of you.

Our nonprofit newsroom is funded by donors from every state in the union—blue, red, and purple, all part of a community of readers who care about the future of our democracy.

This week is our spring membership drive, and we need 1,000 new donations to fund the urgent investigations already in our pipeline. Be the reason these stories get told. Make a donation to fund independent journalism, and help us reach our goal this week.

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate