The meaning of MAGA

Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama thought he had a clear path to winning an open Senate seat because he'd caught the gold ring: an endorsement from Donald Trump. He was Trump's guy; what could go wrong? Then the ex-president noticed that Brooks' campaign wasn't catching fire, so DJT took back his endorsement.

Brooks issued a statement explaining what Trump asked for from his endorsees. Trump demanded that he promise to:
    •    rescind the 2020 elections
    •    immediately remove Joe Biden from the White House
    •    immediately put President Trump back in the White House and
    •    and hold a new special election for the presidency

Brooks sought to recapture some shred of dignity by explaining:

As a lawyer, I’ve repeatedly advised President Trump that January 6 was the final election contest verdict and neither the U.S. Constitution nor the U.S. Code permit what President Trump asks. Period. 

I’ve told President Trump the truth knowing full well that it might cause President Trump to rescind his endorsement.

This story comes by way of Charlie Sykes who knows his Republican crackpots because he's seen the political party he once promoted hi-jacked by all manner of crazy.

The story has a moral: Every Republican candidate for any office should be asked by media and potential constituents at every appearance whether they are onboard with Trump's plan. Will they work to rescind the 2020 election, throw out Biden, and reseat Trump? Yes or no?

(Bet most of them will scamper away ...)

• • •

Meanwhile, Democratic communicator Dan Pfeiffer offers a deep dive into why the MAGA movement is so simpatico with Vladimir Putin:

1. Addicted to Strength: The concept of strength is the axis on which Republican politics has long rotated. Every Republican political campaign is about portraying the GOPer as strong and the Democrat as weak. ... When strength at all costs is emphasized at the expense of empathy, compassion, and morals, Putin can become the ideal leader for a morally bankrupt political party.

2. An Apocalyptic Mentality: The public tends to gravitate towards strongman-like figures out of fear. And fear is a central feature of Republican messaging. ... The driving force in the politics of fear is that before too long White people will represent a minority of Americans and the dominant political position that many believe is their birthright is at risk. Putin’s restorative nationalism is appealing to this segment of the population.

3. White Power: There is something grossly ironic about the America First movement idolizing a former KGB agent trying to reestablish America’s greatest adversary. But “America First,” really means “White America First. ... If you are skeptical about the central role of race, ask yourself why the Far Right loves Putin and Orban but disdains Xi Jinping of China? Pay close attention to what they are saying today in order to be prepared for tomorrow.

4. The Perverse Incentives of the Internet Attention Economy: Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, and Tucker Carlson have a lot in common. One of these commonalities is an inherent understanding of how to get and maintain attention in a media ecosystem powered by outrage. ...  

Unabridged version here.