Trump haters, please stop the moral lectures. Plus: Pinocchios for Biden; filling Portman's seat

By Gary Abernathy

Is there an end to the moral lectures by the anti-Trumpers?

I’m going to elaborate on this at some point in the near future, but am I the only one getting tired of hearing the Republican Party preached to – especially by everyone outside the Republican Party – about what it needs to do?

I’m always amazed at the arrogance it takes for some people to make morality-based arguments toward other people, especially in politics. Does someone who’s a Democrat, a progressive/liberal or an entrenched Trump hater really think they have moral standing to lecture pro-Trump Republicans? It’s astounding to see story after story, along with an unending string of opinion columns, from the left and other anti-Trumpers telling Republicans what they have to do to “clean up” their party, when their own houses could use a thorough fumigation.

Personally, Trump lost me due to his refusal to acknowledge the election results and his actions on Jan. 6. But I fully defend the right of other Republicans and Americans in general to support anyone they want, including Trump. I might make a case for going in a different direction, but it won’t be in the form of a lecture that questions anyone’s morality.

Weighing moral questions is a factor in all life choices, and constructive criticism in the form of kind and helpful advice is something we should all welcome. But I don’t know any human beings, especially in politics, who are qualified to impose their moral standards on other human beings in the form of finger-wagging sermons and lectures. Save your breath.  

OK, rant over, for now.

Washington Post awards Biden three ‘Pinocchios’

The Washington Post deserves credit for fact-checking President Biden this week and finding him wanting. During a recent “Made in America” event, Biden claimed, “Under the previous administration, the federal government contracts awarded directly to foreign companies went up 30 percent. That is going to change on our watch.”

Former president Trump had, of course, made buying American a centerpiece of his “America First” agenda. The Post’s Glenn Kessler examined Biden’s comments and concluded that he was wrong. Kessler noted that, in fact, “real progress has been made in reducing reliance on contracts with foreign companies” and “the percentage of foreign contracts, as part of overall spending, has declined steadily.”

Kessler awarded Biden three “Pinocchios” for his misleading claim. Read the whole story here.   

Early prediction: Jordan v. Whaley for Portman seat

From my latest in the Washington Post…

After Sen. Rob Portman’s (R-Ohio) surprising announcement that he won’t seek reelection to a third term, the big political question becomes who will be on the ballot in November 2022 to succeed him. For now, my money’s on Republican Rep. Jim Jordan and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (D)…

… But that line will almost certainly be long. Among those competing for Trump’s base could be Rep. Warren Davidson and state Republican Chair Jane Timken. Meanwhile, Republicans staking out more moderate ground might include Rep. Steve Stivers, state Sen. Matt Dolan and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. Former congressman and 2018 U.S. Senate nominee Jim Renacci and Rep. Michael R. Turner have also been mentioned, as has Rep. Brad Wenstrup. In other words, almost every Republican with a pulse.

Read the whole column here. (Subscription may be required.)