George Will and the GOP

[carpedm9587]

I had no idea that George Will had left the Republican Party in 2016 when Trump secured the GOP nomination (or maybe when he was elected?). Now he has gone beyond leaving; he is actively advocating for conservatives to vote against the GOP in the midterms and 2020 elections. His opinion piece may be behind a pay wall (unfortunately), but there are several articles about this call.

I have long respected George Will. We differ on social concepts, but align pretty well on fiscal ones. I respect him because he is one of those conservatives who focuses on the issues and does not seem to descend into the petty squabbling that has become politics today.

Am I correct to assume that his defection means he is now persona non-grata in these chambers? If so, is there any thought to ask how the GOP could lose a man of the stature of George Wills? If these are the kinds of people fleeing, what does it say about the future of the GOP?

[Cow Poke]

Will is a political commentator, and fierce defender of conservatism. He switched his voter registration from Republican to "unaffiliated". I'm also not a Republican, but an independent. Will is certainly entitled to his opinion.

I'm not sure what you mean about him being non-grata "in these chambers". What chambers?

And, perhaps you're making the same mistake assuming that conservatives are necessarily republicans, like others assume that liberals are necessarily democrats?

[EvoUK]

I suspect that he'll be accused of being a RINO, like John McCain before him.

[Mountain Man]

George Will has always been a bit of a political weenie. He's like MSNBC's Joe Scarborough in that he's a liberal who wears the Republican label just so the mainstream media can pretend to be "balanced".

[carpedm9587]

Will is a political commentator, and fierce defender of conservatism. He switched his voter registration from Republican to "unaffiliated". I'm also not a Republican, but an independent. Will is certainly entitled to his opinion.

I'm not sure what you mean about him being non-grata "in these chambers". What chambers?

Theology Web

And, perhaps you're making the same mistake assuming that conservatives are necessarily republicans, like others assume that liberals are necessarily democrats?

Not at all. The umbrella of "independents" covers pretty much the entire political spectrum. But when a long-term Republican abandons the party because they feel the party have so badly compromised their ideals, it raises some questions.

[carpedm9587]

I suspect that he'll be accused of being a RINO, like John McCain before him.

Well, they can't exactly call him that now!

[carpedm9587]

George Will has always been a bit of a political weenie. He's like MSNBC's Joe Scarborough in that he's a liberal who wears the Republican label just so the mainstream media can pretend to be "balanced".

Why am I not surprised...

[Cow Poke]

Theology Web

Ah

Not at all. The umbrella of "independents" covers pretty much the entire political spectrum. But when a long-term Republican abandons the party because they feel the party have so badly compromised their ideals, it raises some questions.

I've always liked Will's perspective on baseball more than on politics.

[Mountain Man]

Why am I not surprised...

Maybe because it's the truth?

[rogue06]

George Will has always been a bit of a political weenie. He's like MSNBC's Joe Scarborough in that he's a liberal who wears the Republican label just so the mainstream media can pretend to be "balanced".

I don't agree. Will may be an elitist Never Trumper but I cannot think of many positions he has taken that can be termed liberal

[carpedm9587]

Maybe because it's the truth?

No...I'm pretty sure it's because it's you..

[carpedm9587]

I don't agree. Will may be an elitist Never Trumper but I cannot think of many positions he has taken that can be termed liberal

Is anyone who took the "Never Trump" stance an "elitist?"

[rogue06]

Is anyone who took the "Never Trump" stance an "elitist?"

No. For instance, the recently deceased Charles Krauthammer was a Never Trumper but not an elitist. Will, OTOH, has always been a bit pompous and arrogant as well as elitist.

[Mountain Man]

No...I'm pretty sure it's because it's you..

Good point. I do have a reputation for telling the unvarnished truth, which isn't always what people want to hear.

[Zymologist]

Does this mean the GOP has lost its Will?