Columnist Thiessen may think Trump is cute now, but minds may change by 2024 election

Writers such as Marc Thiessen are part of the “cuteness” cult of Trumpian idolatry. Writing snappy columns or commentary for television networks is all part of their worship of Donald Trump.

Why do I say idolatry? Like many conservative Republicans, they believe that they can gain control of Trump followers who are of the “real” radicals, for example, the militant groups that espouse “whiteness” in all manner of manifestations. These groups are organized into militias, they tote guns in public, intimidate those whom they abhor, fly right wing flags, and like Trump, pout when they do not get their own way.

Thiessen thinks “Let’s Go Brandon” is funny as code for “F___ Biden.” Since when did profanity become funny. My mother used to box my ears for saying much less.

But the argot of the day is anything goes as long as it is snappy, sappy, easily read, in one ear and out the other of the unthinking throng.

Trumpian conservatives are furious that he did not win the 2020 presidential race, claiming that his votes were not counted, etc. The reason Trump did not triumph in 2020 is simple.

More Democrats turned out to vote for Biden and more than a few Republicans regretted their votes for Trump in 2016, beginning to see what an American dictatorship would look like.

Why do you think Andy Beshear defeated Matt Bevin in 2019? Only 5,000 separated the two. I believe that some Republicans either voted for Beshear or did not vote at all. Maybe, it was because that Bevin had a few unusual ideas such as not vaccinating his children again measles.

What would have been Bevin’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic? I suppose he would have waited for Kentuckians to develop “herd immunity” rather than pushing the efficacy of vaccinations.

If Trump runs for president in 2024, the “riffraff will come out of the woodwork,” as my mother used to say. They will use every method to suppress voting everywhere. An armed militia stood just outside the Governor’s Mansion one day parading against his pandemic pronouncements. There will be groups like this stationed at polling stations and elsewhere in 2024 if Trump runs for reelection.

If you think the events of January 6, 2020, were frightening, just think how a tight 2024 presidential race will be between Trump and any Democrat.

Will the Grand Old Party continue to be the “Grand Opportunist Party,” kowtowing to extremists to keep its stranglehold on state capitals and the nation, blaming everything from unemployment to high gas prices on the Biden administration?

Or, will “real” Republicans stand up to extremism, the gun lobby, gun toters, and “doomsday” Christian fundamentalists.

We’ll find out. Will the events of January 6, become the norm in state capitals such as Frankfort. How will you react my fellow Kentuckians if rightwing militias are allowed to prance down the hills into our state capital unchallenged on Nov. 8, 2023, the day after our next gubernatorial election, claiming victory whether a Republican wins or loses?

Lest you suspect these are the yammerings of an old man, I do not favor left wing groups such as Antifa.

The American experiment in democracy is a fragile one.

William Ellis is a retired Eastern Kentucky University history professor.