Trump announces midterm convention – a campaign rally in dallas
The Republican Party is throwing caution to the wind, announcing a full-blown midterm convention in Dallas, Texas – a move analysts are already calling a strategic gambit, and frankly, a bit desperate.
A return to the spectacle: remembering 1982
I witnessed the beginning of the party’s slow decline back in ’82 at the Philadelphia Democratic Convention. The remnants of the 1980 defeat, coupled with a humiliating Senate loss, had left the Democratic elite shell-shocked and adrift. The Republicans, meanwhile, were riding a wave of momentum, seizing 12 seats, including those held by figures like George McGovern and Gaylord Nelson. Chuck Grassley made his entrance that year, too – a detail easily verified, of course.
The atmosphere was suffocating, a monument to blandness. Myself and Alex Cockburn and Christopher Hitchens sought refuge in the hotel bar, drowning our disillusionment in day-drinking. The party, it quickly became clear, was losing its way. Now, this ‘America First’ agenda – a carefully constructed narrative of economic resurgence – is being repackaged as a rallying cry.
The ‘golden age’ pitch
This isn’t about policy, not really. It’s about cultivating a mythology, a relentless assault on reality designed to tap into a deep-seated yearning for a bygone era. They’re promising ‘no taxes on tips,’ ‘no taxes on overtime,’ ‘no taxes on social security’ – a dizzying, and ultimately meaningless, list of pledges. Border security, ‘safest ever communities,’ and lower costs are tacked on for good measure.
They’re assembling a cast of characters – hardworking Americans, ‘great innovators,’ entrepreneurs, first responders – all carefully curated to project an image of American dominance. It’s a cynical maneuver, leveraging national pride for political gain. And let’s be clear: oil prices are falling, Iran is denuclearizing – realities that are being conveniently ignored in this carefully orchestrated performance.
Dallas: a stage for nostalgia
The event itself, scheduled for September 9th and 10th, will be less a convention and more a colossal rally. They want to celebrate the ‘Great American Comeback,’ the ‘incredible successes’ of the American people, and the impending 250th birthday of the nation. The goal? To solidify the foundation for “the next 250 years of American greatness.” It’s a breathtakingly audacious claim, predicated on a selective interpretation of history and a profound disconnect from the challenges facing the country today. The sheer audacity of it is… almost impressive.
Donald J. Trump: ‘This midterm convention has been done before. But it’s never been a rally like this one!’
Let’s be honest: it’s a desperate attempt to recapture a fading narrative. But as I’ve consistently pointed out, the past is not a blueprint for the future. The only thing certain is that the spectacle will continue – a relentless, exhausting performance designed to distract from the uncomfortable truths.