Back in 2016, Vox called National Review’s David French “the random dude off the street that Bill Kristol decided will save America from Trump.” Vox was overstating things a bit — French was mostly unknown but still not a random dude — but French ended up not running. Instead, Evan McMullin emerged to challenge Donald Trump, and we all know how that turned out.
In 2020, Kristol is putting his support behind Joe Walsh, though we suspect any Never Trumper will do, and he’s highlighted a piece in the Washington Post mostly explaining who Bill Weld is (although Walsh gets one mention as an aside in this paragraph):
A congenital optimist in the mold of his hero Theodore Roosevelt, Weld hopes to rival the 42 percent that Eugene McCarthy received against President Lyndon B. Johnson in New Hampshire in 1968 and the 37.5 percent that Pat Buchanan received against President George H.W. Bush in 1992. There is no sign that either Weld — or former Rep. Joe Walsh, the other GOP primary challenger — is anywhere close to that level. (Trump’s worst poll in New Hampshire, from mid-October, had Weld at 14 percent and Walsh at 5 percent.) But Weld is hoping that Democrats reregistered as undeclareds — voters with no party affiliation can vote in either party’s primary in New Hampshire — in order to strike an early blow against Trump.
Kristol is urging wealthy donors to devote big bucks to funding Weld and Walsh:
Wealthy donors should be “devoting big bucks to funding Weld and Walsh to soften up Trump in the primaries (while also funding moderate candidates in the Democratic field).” https://t.co/LLfz7OCvDv
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) November 29, 2019
Why don’t they just set their money on fire?
— Goldens Rule (@jamesbranch3) November 30, 2019
They should set their money on fire instead. Trump gets reelected either way, but at least they'll feel warm for a moment.
— ?? 2A Iran-China Revolution! Buddha ?? (@Rondelay60) November 30, 2019
Live look at 'funding' to Weld, Walsh and moderate candidates in the Democratic field… pic.twitter.com/EYLcfE5Xue
— Mister B (@missterb000) November 30, 2019
Wealthy donors could also give the money to me so it doesn’t get wasted.
…or do one of a thousand other things that would be more beneficial like setting fire to the money. At least that would serve a purpose if it got cold. #RINO
— Andy (@andythecompguy) November 30, 2019
Allow me to show a more meaningful way to spending the "big bucks". pic.twitter.com/Ua5wFWSRbs
— Stand with HK 1450 Watson Shen (@KamiliaHaraQoo) November 30, 2019
“Wealthy donors should…” Guess you’re just going to have to live with disappointment. One doesn’t become wealthy and maintain wealth by pissing their gains away. #nevertrumperwhiner
— Daniel Pugh (@DnlPgh60) November 29, 2019
As a wealthy donor I'll keep my own counsel. Thank you for your advice though. Please feel free to keep in touch.
— joey (@JbarrettCa) November 29, 2019
Brace yourself for more frustration
— Ian MacNeal (@Ian_MacNeal) November 30, 2019
Has anyone even heard from Walsh?
Joe Walsh who talks exclusively to Clinton resisters who think Putin is hiding under their beds. Lol good luck with that
— why (@tumrel) November 30, 2019
Joe Walsh? The guy who basically sides more with his enemies than he does with people he’s supposed to align with? Good freaking luck.
— MdrnMythology (@MdrnMythology) November 30, 2019
— FyreLyon (@Dan4Liberty) November 30, 2019
Oh, noes! The Donald might only win New Hampshire by 80 or 85 percent against the guy from Massachusetts!
— Richard DeCamp (@richdecamp) November 29, 2019
By the way, mid-teens in New Hampshire when you're Bill Weld and Trump's at or about eighty points is a warning flag, not a bragging point.
— Richard DeCamp (@richdecamp) November 30, 2019
Not happening.
— Jeff Mowery (@Jmowery56) November 29, 2019
You’re on acid dude
— Hum-qua-ti-saa (@gauthierbrad) November 30, 2019
Let me know when you join the rest of us back on planet Earth.
— MATTMcAllister (@Catfatmatty) November 30, 2019
LOL. Keen analysis here, Bill!
— Yang Coalition Builder ? (@WitStream1) November 29, 2019
Captain Kristol certainly seems free with spending other people’s money on futile political gestures.
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— BattleSwarm (@BattleSwarmBlog) November 30, 2019
Billy Kristol sure knows how to pick them alright. ????
— Sean Wolenski (@MySeanwo99) November 30, 2019
Nothing says “I’m a conservative Republican” like rooting for liberal Democrats to win elections.
— Brad Deal (@bbdealio) November 30, 2019
Over at The Bulwark, they call that “conserving conservatism.”
Yep, lets get a progressive democrat in there who will push socialism, pack the Supreme Court, and take away our 2'nd amendment. Billy please get some help….
— Mike Parker (@MJP1313) November 30, 2019
It’s going to another rough term for you isn’t it.
— Somewhere over Dwayne Bowe (@Cort9999) November 30, 2019
Well, it is official, Bill Kristol has become Joe Scarborough. At least he does not have to put up with the annoying sidekick. pic.twitter.com/E6SRLiH6jn
— JJC (@jcarew1312) November 30, 2019
Seriously, where is Walsh?
Related:
Team Trump only spares one word in response to Joe Walsh announcing his candidacy for president https://t.co/h3GJQgmbhw
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 25, 2019
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