“Perhaps they never will”

| 12:01 pm EST January 12, 2024
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I’m feeling quite reflective. What I am reflecting on is the subject of this article. It is rare, indeed, when I compliment the speech of a Republican. In fact, I’ve not done it before. But I must do this now and reflect on what Chris Christie said as he announced he was dropping out of the race.

That’s right. Christie is out of the race. It was inevitable. His candidacy was going nowhere and a great deal of pressure was being put on him. His own speech was reflective in and of itself. He readily admitted that it was ego that caused him to get mixed up in Donald Trump’s political life in the first place.

Make no mistake, I would never vote for Christie. Nor do I think he is innocent in regards to Bridgegate. This article is far from a cooing, admiring Christie article. But I do admire the words he used as he left the race.

He said much. At times, impossible as it seems, he appeared to be on the verge of tears. A republican who cries — I admit I am not used to seeing that. The tone of his speech matched the melancholy atmosphere. It felt like times gone by. Times gone by when the GOP was a normal party — when they did not support insurrectionists.

He spoke about the people he met in New Hampshire. He spoke of how he knew he was letting some people down by dropping out but he just didn’t see a path. But he also spoke about Donald Trump. He spoke of how Trump should never be allowed to hold power again. He talked about how awful a person Trump is. A Republican saying all this? Yes, that is worthy of an article.

The feeling of sorrow in that room was great; it was almost tangible. Many commented on it. Because there are few Republicans who would say what Christie said. In fact, I can’t think of any in the presidential race. Christie said one word in particular that we must always remember. Unfit.

Unfit to lead, unfit to hold office, unfit, unfit, this is the word that defines Donald Trump. Christie pleaded with the Republicans to listen to him. Will they? They haven’t yet. Perhaps that’s why the sad, bittersweet atmosphere was so very strong. Maybe they all knew.

They all knew that, to quote Don McLean: “They would not listen; they’re not listening still. Perhaps they never will.”

Dear Palmer Report readers, we all understand the difficult era we're heading into. Major media outlets are caving to Trump already. Even the internet itself and publishing platforms may be at risk. But Palmer Report is nonetheless going to lead the fight. We're funding our 2025 operating expenses now, so we can keep publishing no matter what happens. I'm asking you to contribute if you can, because the stakes are just so high. You can donate here.