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Bulwark+ is a political commentary Substack that analyzes and reports on U.S. politics without partisan or tribal biases. It focuses on the motivations and behaviors of Trump supporters, the dynamics within the Republican Party, criticism of both Republican and Democratic tactics, and highlights the importance of truth and integrity in political discourse.

Political Analysis Media Criticism U.S. Presidential Elections Democratic and Republican Party Dynamics Trump's Influence in Politics Political Extremism and Authoritarianism Importance of Truth and Decency in Politics Economic Policies and Impact Legal and Ethical Standards in Governance Electoral and Voter Behavior

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Defining Normalcy Down

6446 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Political Commentary Legal issues Conservatism Republicans
  1. The concept of 'defining normalcy down' involves lowering standards for acceptable behavior over time.
  2. Political figures can redefine 'normal' to fit their narrative or agenda, even in the face of concerning actions.
  3. The dilemma of 'anti-anti-Trumpers' lies in their struggle to balance opposition to Trump with their concerns about the left, leading to conflicting stances.

Speaker Mike Johnson’s Days Might Be Numbered

6309 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Republicans Government shutdown
  1. Speaker Mike Johnson's position as Speaker of the House may be in jeopardy due to conflicts within the House Republican Conference.
  2. Far-right House Freedom Caucus members and allies are upset over compromises in negotiations, leading to disruptions in regular proceedings.
  3. Rep. Chip Roy from Texas is considering a motion to vacate to potentially remove Speaker Johnson from his position.
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An Open Letter to Nikki Haley

6073 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Parties Politicians Campaigns
  1. The Republican party is facing challenges and Nikki Haley is encouraged to speak up against Trump
  2. Nikki Haley is urged to be honest and bold in her campaign, speaking out against Trump and embracing her true beliefs
  3. The importance of Nikki Haley addressing her past actions, speaking out against Trump, and potentially shaping a new role for herself

How Weak is Trump? What about Biden?

5837 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
  1. Pollster Whit Ayres discusses the weaknesses of Trump and Biden in the presidential race.
  2. Donald Trump remains a strong favorite for the Republican nomination despite some internal challenges.
  3. Joe Biden faces weaknesses like perceptions of his age and Kamala Harris's readiness, making his reelection prospects uncertain.

How Fragile Are Our Constitutional Norms?

5699 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. A new study raises concerns about the fragility of our constitutional norms.
  2. There is a significant portion of the population that may support authoritarian figures if it aligns with their political interests.
  3. Support for democratic norms can soften considerably when they conflict with partisanship.

Nikki Haley "Trusts Americans." Americans Should Not Trust Her.

5680 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
  1. Nikki Haley's statements on the E. Jean Carroll case have evolved significantly in a short period of time.
  2. Haley's quick change in stance raises questions about her credibility and trustworthiness.
  3. It's important to critically analyze and question the consistency of political figures' statements.

Trump’s Show of Force in Iowa Signals Broader Weakness

5640 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
  1. Trump's victory in Iowa shows some weaknesses among GOP voters' enthusiasm and turnout.
  2. Haley's campaign is using historical data to suggest that Trump's weak primary performance may indicate trouble for the general election.
  3. Speaker Mike Johnson indicates that Republicans are delaying action on the border crisis, viewing it as a political opportunity for after the general election.

There Is No Zuul. There Is Only Trump.

5621 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. The majority of the Republican party is now in support of Trump, showing the party's loyalty to him.
  2. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Trump can be held criminally responsible for his actions as president.
  3. In the Nevada primary, voters preferred 'None of the Above' over Nikki Haley, indicating a strong preference for Trump amongst Republican voters.

Trump And Fox: So Happy Together … Again

5483 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
  1. Fox News and Donald Trump are back on good terms after a rocky period.
  2. The network's settlement with Dominion Voting Systems shows the cost of echoing Trump's lies.
  3. Fox News hosted a favorable town hall for Trump, potentially boosting his image.

Republican Voters Are Already Splintering

5365 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. Republican voters are showing signs of splintering.
  2. Enthusiasm is crucial in elections and may not be uniform among all Republican voters.
  3. Some voters are strategically supporting candidates to prevent a Trump victory.

Welcome to the Loser's Ball

5247 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley are aiming for specific rankings in the upcoming elections due to strategic reasons.
  2. DeSantis hopes to finish third in Iowa while Haley aims to secure second in New Hampshire.
  3. Incentives and strategic planning influence the campaigning decisions of political candidates.

Jamie Dimon Joins the Trump Normalizers

5208 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
  1. Jamie Dimon made comments praising some of Trump's policies, causing concern about normalizing Trump's behavior.
  2. The praise Dimon gave to Trump's policies might not hold up when looking at the factual record, especially in areas like immigration.
  3. Dimon's endorsement of Trump's policies can set a dangerous precedent and influence others in the business and finance world to support Trump's ideologies.

The World Is a Dangerous Place

5051 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. There's tension between Zelensky and a Ukrainian military commander, Zaluzhniy, with potential implications for Russia's position.
  2. The Panama Canal is experiencing trouble due to a drought, causing shipping delays and increased costs.
  3. The Suez Canal is facing disruptions, impacting global trade.

It’s White Flag Week for the GOP

4756 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
  1. The GOP is fully embracing Trump and his endorsements.
  2. Endorsing Trump comes with sacrifices and implications for Republicans.
  3. Republicans are aware of the potential consequences if Trump wins again.

Republican Former Members of Congress: Courts Should Move ‘As Quickly As Possible’ to Resolve Trump Cases

4756 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
  1. Republican former members of Congress are urging courts to swiftly resolve Trump's legal cases, emphasizing the importance of equal justice before the law.
  2. They stress that while Trump is entitled to a fair trial, the American public is entitled to a speedy trial as well.
  3. The former members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, believe that the courts should act quickly in deciding Trump's legal matters to uphold the rule of law and maintain the integrity of the 2024 election.

Are New York Republicans Slow-Walking Into George Santos 2.0?

4756 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
  1. The Republican candidate in New York's 3rd Congressional District special election may be following in the footsteps of the disgraced Rep. George Santos.
  2. Primaries can produce unqualified or extreme candidates, jeopardizing typically safe general election races.
  3. Local Republican leaders in New York may have taken a risky bet by choosing a candidate who lacks transparency and clarity on critical policy areas.

Mayorkas Impeachment Hampers Bipartisan Immigration Deal

4304 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
  1. Mayorkas impeachment is hindering a bipartisan immigration deal
  2. House Republicans impeachment effort lacks tactical advantage and conveys a lack of seriousness
  3. Senate Republicans are divided on the impeachment with some questioning its basis

Fabrizio: “Haley’s Magical Mystery Tour of the Unknown”

4225 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. Trump's campaign in Nevada showed significant victory over Haley.
  2. Haley's campaign spending on TV ads attacking Trump has been criticized.
  3. Nevada primary results indicate a shift in focus from Haley to Biden for Trump's campaign.

‘Border Security’ Is the New Tool to Block Regular Business

4206 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
  1. Border security is being used to obstruct regular business operations.
  2. Government funding has been extended with stopgap measures to avoid a shutdown.
  3. There is a budget deal being negotiated to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year.

Trump’s Latest Victim: The Discerning New Hampshire Voter

4166 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
  1. New Hampshire voters are known for being discerning and independent-minded
  2. Trump's unconventional campaign approach is resonating with his fanatical supporters
  3. Democrats have shifted focus away from New Hampshire in their primary schedule

Tucker Carlson’s Fatal Attraction

3970 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. The GOP's support for Trump and Tucker Carlson's actions suggest they are becoming tools for Putin, risking global stability.
  2. Tucker Carlson aligns with Putin's goals of sowing division, spreading disinformation, and undermining democratic systems.
  3. Carlson's actions, like accusing Democrats of ginning up hatred for Putin, enable dangerous narratives and threaten the reputation of the Republican party.

Trump’s $83.3 Million Temper Tantrum

3852 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
  1. Trump's behavior in the E. Jean Carroll case reflects poorly on his judgment and decision-making.
  2. Trump's hiring of inexperienced counsel and lack of control over his behavior in court led to a massive judgment against him.
  3. Trump's contempt for the judicial process and his disruptive behavior in court may have further worsened his legal situation and led to additional damages being assessed.

House Republicans Are a Majority in Name Only

3793 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. House Republicans are struggling to form a cohesive coalition and pass important legislation without help from Democrats.
  2. The Republican majority in the House of Representatives is currently very slim at 219-212, making it challenging to push through legislative work effectively.
  3. Recent events show that House Republicans have faced difficulties in managing votes and have struggled with political fiascos, impacting their ability to govern smoothly.

Nikki Haley Is Finally Running a Real Campaign

3695 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
  1. Nikki Haley is running a more aggressive campaign against Trump
  2. Republicans are openly defying Supreme Court rulings about the border
  3. Fashion designer Rick Owens named a collection after his hometown despite negative experiences

Iowa’s Silver Lining

3596 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
  1. Despite a big Trump win in Iowa, there is hope for the general election.
  2. Some Republicans in Iowa are not backing Trump in the general election.
  3. The independent voters and third-party interest pose a challenge for Trump's reelection.

Yes, Jan 6 Was That Bad

3577 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
  1. Jan 6 attack on the Capitol was indeed very bad
  2. The Bulwark had been warning about the threat prior to the attack
  3. The post is only accessible to paid subscribers

All the Ex-President’s Sycophants

3498 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
  1. Many ex-President's supporters ignore his flaws and stick with him.
  2. Some politicians switch positions to align themselves with Trump for personal gain.
  3. Trump's influence causes people to go back on their prior criticisms of him.

What Alina Habba Is Really Good at

3380 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. Alina Habba is facing criticism for her performance as Donald Trump's lawyer in court cases.
  2. Habba excels in using press conferences and TV appearances to raise funds for Trump's political organizations.
  3. A significant portion of funds raised for Trump's political activities has been spent on legal fees, including payments to Alina Habba.

Nancy Mace Is a Hot Mess, Not VP Material

3380 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. Nancy Mace is not considered VP material by many, including Trump.
  2. Mace's behavior as a congresswoman has caused staff turnover and controversy.
  3. Mace's inconsistency and desire for attention have overshadowed her potential to be a serious leader.