Mark Caleb Smith

Story of American Politics: the growing difference b/t what it takes to govern and what it takes to win a presidential campaign. #GOPprimary

Emma Blakemore and I have an "explainer" piece at @thedispatch today. thedispatch.com/article/argume…

@KathrynKueter I think Stephen Wolfe gives the most rational, full-throated defense of the idea of CN, but he takes it farther than most. I like Paul Miller's book as a critique. Whitehead and Perry's book is interesting, but suffers from an over-definition.

@markcalebsmith Appreciate your thoughts on this. I plan to read “Christian Nationalism” soon. Any book recommendations for the other side of the argument?

Emma Blakemore and I dipped very small toes in the waters of Christian Nationalism and the Constitution. wng.org/opinions/to-co…

Twin Tuesday @cedarville. We do it up right in Arts & Humanities.

I cannot for the life of me see how Russia’s war in Ukraine bears even a passing resemblance to Iraq save for the subtextual argument Ukraine’s critics seem to have internalized that America is the bad guy.

Hard to pick a winner. Mostly deflating. They talked over one another too much. Moderators lost control early, never re-established it. Losers? Tim Scott needs to rethink his candidacy, same for Burgum, Pence, maybe Christie, unless polling shifts. Clear the stage. #GOPDebate

Not a good night for the Republican Party, & not a good night for the Republic. Unserious answers. Unserious format. Our nation deserves better leaders, but we get the leaders we choose. We get the behavior we incentivize. A sad night for a great nation. #GOPDebate

Ok. Christie gets aggressive on Trump and his divisiveness. Not sure it will matter for him. DeSantis or Haley would need to do it for it to matter. #GOPDebate

The man leading doesn't show up. No one talks about his indictments. No one pronounces him unfit for the office. No one highlights his character flaws. Going right after him may not be a winning strategy, but avoiding him is a losing strategy. #GOPDebate

Can Republicans win in AZ on abortion? Christie says yes, it is possible. "You have to be pro-life for the entire life, not just the nine months in the womb." #GOPDebate

Abortion question: DeSantis asked about how to win over independent or pro-choice voters. "I reject this idea that pro-lifers are to blame for mid-term defeats..." He drags Trump into the discussion. #GOPDebate

So, it is trash night. I had to take a break to get stuff ready. I asked my daughter, "did I miss anything?" Daughter: "Mike Pence is going after the Indian guy." #GOPDebate

Real division over Ukraine. They need to ask real questions about abortion next. #GOPDebate

DeSantis is just wrong on so much of Ukraine. Not a blank check. No hint of American soldiers. It is just an unserious opinion. Make your argument based on facts. Disagree with the policy. Don't do it this way. #GOPDebate

Vivek quotes Reagan's 11th Amendment. A little convenient when you are the target. #GOPDebate

"Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber." The knives are out for Nikki on Vivek. #GOPDebate

Not a single #GOPDebate question on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. #irrelevant

Stand up for the safety and civil liberties of every American. That is a good start, Mike Pence. #GOPDebate

I mean, I'm all for North Dakota, but they have more livestock than people. Things that work in ND may not work in Texas or California, or even Ohio. #GOPDebate

Scott was pretty good on the Great Society and race. #GOPDebate