Trump quoted Steve Schmidt to attack Bolton this morning. Schmidt responded:

[highplainsdem]

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[hlthe2b]

1. Schmidt and Rick Wilson are too damned intelligent & sharp-witted to ever have been R's

It is inexplicable.

[Salviati]

3. Never underestimate the power of greed, self interest, and lack of empathy

Intelligence and sharp wits don't make up for the lack of kindness and basic decency.

[LakeArenal]

4. Schmidt gave us Palin!!!

Then he ran off to support some far fetched candidate. He ain’t no hero.

[hlthe2b]

7. Smart enough to account for and redress his mistakes.

[LakeArenal]

8. Smart? Or self preservation?

I don’t get it. He said things about Hillary. He’s said stuff about Democrats. Got kicked off MSNBC until he changed his tune AGAIN.

[hlthe2b]

10. This is not an endorsement of him. I am not like our opponents seeing only black v white and no

complexities. I hope you are not either. He is intelligent. Rick Wilson is intelligent. Acknowledging that does not mean any of the conclusions you seemingly want to jump to. It is not the equivalent of endorsing, trusting, nor justifying the complete political viewpoints of either one.

[LakeArenal]

11. I just don't understand the adulation of those who

Will turn back into Republicans the second this is over to “save” their Republican Party.

Yes he can be eloquent. To me he’s like an abuser who claims I learned my lesson, honey, and I’ll never do that again. But history says past history is the determinant of future behavior.

I think Steve Schmidt is politically astute. I think he sees a huge opportunity to be huge in the “New” Republican Party.

It’s my opinion of Schmidt. Not anyone liking his tact now. I just don’t understand it

[hlthe2b]

13. You are being incredibly combative and disingenuous. I said/conveyed no such thing

and you KNOW it. Nowhere did I convey "adulation." Merely an acknowledgment that he is intelligent.

What is your problem?

[LakeArenal]

18. Generally. Not you specifically. You happened to respond to me.

[Pisces]

14. The enemy of my enemy is my friend ( until he is my enemy again) I'll take anyone against Trump

Right now

[DinahMoeHum]

15. You work with them, but you don't ever trust them. . .

. . .and you don't give them any work of consequence when the fire's been put out.

That's how we should handle guys like Schmidt and Wilson.





#newrostrong

[PCIntern]

47. It's what Don Corleone said about Hyman Roth

No trust allowed.

[KS Toronado]

16. We should be thankful for people like Schmidt and Rick Wilson

the never-trumpers who stood up against their party because they knew the difference between
right and wrong. Plus being aware they were probably killing their own careers

[LakeArenal]

20. Thank someone who chooses the right side of history?

I believe it is a political ambition not a change of view.

[usaf-vet]

24. The enemy of my enemy (TRUMP ) is definately my friend

The enemy of my enemy (TRUMP ) is definitely my friend.

My question is how are the Republicans who make up The Lincoln Project ever going to go back to the GOP?

[SkyDaddy7]

50. I know the answer...But

...They will go back to a REFORMED GOP that 100% respects the US Constitution & rule of law...So they say!?!
...The REAL question is, when or will the GOP ever truly be REFORMED?

...BTW-I too am a USAF Vet.

[usaf-vet]

54. SkyDaddy should have been a clue. When and where did you serve?

Me 1965-69. Myrtle Beach Air Base

[SkyDaddy7]

59. Well before me...

...You & my Dad served at the same time...(My Dad 1961-68). My Dad bounced around quite a bit I know he was in Germany, at Ramstein AFB, somewhere in New Mexico & Kessler AFB, Mississippi.
...I was born in 1970 & went into basic training 2 months after HS Graduation & served 1989-93 at Vandenberg AFB, California. I was in prior to & during all 3 phases of the 1st Iraq War “Desert Shield/Storm/Calm“.

...Unfortunately, my Dad has been brainwashed my Conservative Media & although I love him I’m very disappointed in his politics & worldview!🤬

[usaf-vet]

60. Sorry to here about your dad. It is a very common tale. My Dad was a WW II vet and his dad a WW I

What was your job? I was a medic. Vandenberg still missile base. A good friend of mine (RIP) was a Captian at Vandenberg late 50's cold war stuff.

[SkyDaddy7]

61. Yes!...VAFB was/still is missile base...

Actually while I was stationed there it changed from a “SAC” Base to “Space & Missile Command” & now if I’m not mistaken it’s “Space Operations Command” & falls under the new “Space Force” blah blah what the USAF already did. I don’t really know much about the so-called “Space Force” but I can’t see it doing anything the USAF wasn’t already doing!🤷🏻‍♂️...Do you know a lot about it?

...I was in the 30th Civil Engineering Squadron as a Sheetmetal & Welding Specialist.

...Being stationed at VAFB was a really fascinating & EERIE (Now that I know more about the world!!) place to be! So, was & (I think) still is the only place on Earth where you can watch the USAF test launch “intercontinental ballistic missiles” or ICBMs guided ballistic missiles that could end human civilization!😳 Also, at VAFB the USAF runs their own military & public space port where there is very regular rocket launches of all types!! I got to see many ICBM & various rocket launches...Including getting to see a massive Titan IV rocket launch from 4.5 miles away that was INSANE!

...However, I did recently go to Florida & watch a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch! Which is the largest rocket in the world! ...Well, not counting the Saturn V Rocket that took the Apollo Missions to the Moon.

...Oh yeah, VAFB has 35 miles of coast closed to the public that I took full advantage of all the time! The wildlife was AMAZING!! I would hike about 3 miles out from where I parked & catch rock cod, rock crabs & the entire time be entertained by the seals & my favorite, California Otters!🥰

[usaf-vet]

62. Wild sounds like a great duty station. Sure sound like it gave you an interest in rockets.

I don't have a clue about space force. I might have had a little more interest in it if it didn't seem like something done to put the president's name in the history books. I think it's are going to be there anyway but under an entirely different heading just reserved for him.

Well enough of that! So I spent my time on the opposite coast and doing a lot of fishing as well when not of duty. My dad taught me to fish when I was 6 or 7 and we always fished saltwater because you didn't need a license for saltwater. I now live on Lake Superior and fish year-round. At 73 it's a little more work then it used to be but I especially like ice fishing. It's peaceful and social. You can get up and walk around and visit others when the fish aren't biting.

In between fishing seasons, I tie flies mostly for the enjoyment of creating something that is "pretty" and usable. I give lots of flies away, especially to young fly fishermen and women. I teach fly casting and fly tying when the occasion arises.

Do you still work in the sheet metal/welding field? I loved being a medic but there was no one for one cross over from medic to a civilian job without stating at square one. Stubbornness made me say no way. I'm good at what I do I don't need some civilian piece of paper to say so. Gladly today military medics can find jobs as paramedics with minimal additional schooling.

The short version of what I did for work was I spent 25 years as a computer consultant. Mostly working with schools and kids. I started by teaching college professors about computers and there place in public education classrooms and ended working for one district basically as the guy that kept the whole computer systems in the building happy and ticking away.

[SkyDaddy7]

63. I'm sure you're 100% correct!

..."Space Force" was exactly as you said for that egomaniac to get his name in the history books. More like "Space Farce"!!

...I did join Local 85 Sheet Metal Union here in Atlanta & did metal & welding work for about 10yrs & realized it just wasn't what I wanted to do for a living. At the time the GI Bill had a sunset of 10yrs after discharge so my GI Bill wasn't going to help me. I went to the VA & they were offering a limited number of scholarships at the time but you had to apply & take a series of test...I did & got one.
...But in my 3rd year of college I suffered a spinal cord injury & needless to say that changed everything. It took a couple years to adjust to the new normal (I guess) I've not worked since. I still go to spinal rehab twice a month sometimes more. I have spinal pump has to be refilled every 1-3 months depending on what therapy we're trying. However, I'm very lucky I live where I do because the spinal & brain injury hospital I go to & where my team of doctors are has been rated in the top 10 in the nation for the past 20+yrs.
And everyone there is wonderful!

...ICE FISHING! Ive always wanted to do that! My brother was in the Navy but not on a boat he was station in Maine. I did go up there in the winter a couple times but never did any ice fishing. However, one summer while there I did see this guys ice fishing cabin he tows out on the ice! It was like someone's living room! LOL! I thought that would be the coolest thing to be in that cozy little cabin nice & warm fishing while it's -15 outside! LOL! So crazy sounding to this southern boy! I bet its a lot of fun!!

I also bet tying flies is fun as well. I do miss fishing in general but I've found other hobbies. Can't dwell on the past just enjoy the memories!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

46. He did NOT get "kicked off MSNBC until he changed his tune AGAIN."

Steve Schmidt was removed as an MSNBC contributer when he accepted the position within the Starbucks guy's campaign. I believe, but not sure, he was a campaign manager. I believe this is common practice.

Unfounded, firebomb accusations make your whole premise appear suspect.

Steve Schmidt isn't just a "never-trumper", he quit the freaking GOP.

I've seen plenty of evidence that Schmidt is a man of considerable empathy, not just pretty words.

[Nasruddin]

19. These men are heroes

"He ain’t no hero."
You couldn't be more wrong. They are heroes. They have gone against their tribal instinct and training and lifetime careers and have worked with their sworn adversaries to deal with and end this insane and incompetent anti-American regime.

And remember, NOBODY is treated worse than apostates in a cult. Think how we react to turncoat Democrats. Then keep turning the dial up. Nobody is more dangerous to a cult than the ones who leave it. Look how Mr Trump is treating Jeff Sessions. He didn't leave the cult voluntarily, he was ejected.

Just imagine what we would be faced with if they were working for the regime.

In the long run, we aren't going to agree with their positions. Ok. But now we know who we can listen to when a policy issue is raised, or who can identify a real political weakness in something that we need to address. These are people of courage and some level of adherence to a higher good. What could be more valuable?

[LakeArenal]

23. Not seeing it. Sorry. I can see I'm a minority opinion here.

I am only commenting on Schmidt because during Bush years I personally remember Schmidt being the exact opposite of what he says now. I don't follow many of the others.

Also I believe Nicole Wallace has changed even tho she said some pretty shitty things on the View and the later on Fux Youz.

But when Schmidt went to campaign for that billionaire... I knew he hadn’t really changed.

However, I have now spent too much time in my day on him and am done.

Like I said. My opinion. Sure doesn’t have to be anybody elses.

[AlexSFCA]

25. and Palin was the start of tea party which led to trump

[LakeArenal]

30. Yes. That's exactly it.

And things he’s said about Dems and Hillary at the time.

[JI7]

34. Racism was the start of the tea party which started long before Palin

[AlexSFCA]

36. I 'm talking about modern tea party of 2010 that merged into alt right

[JI7]

37. that comes from the same place

[AZ8theist]

49. The current crap started with Reagan

[SunSeeker]

53. Exactly. nt

[paleotn]

32. Normally, they are ...or were...the enemy.

Back when there was some modicum of intelligence in the Rethuglican party. Today, it's the party of Donnie Two Hands and Matt Gaetz. When they dumped their last ounce of decency, all the brains left too. You could argue Schmidt, Wilson, et al. created this abortion of a party and are now, like Dr. Frankenstein, trying to destroy their own creation.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. "He (Bolton) failed in his duty to protect America from you" is exactly right.

But since the part of the lawsuit demanding Bolton give up the profits from the book is still alive even though publication can go forward, a little justice and a big hunk of karma might come out of this.

[not_the_one]

26. I concur with those that will accept assistance from those who helped

shit the turd in the toilet boil of the White House (Steve, Rick, Nichole, et al). I also recognize that they may very well be playing an end game that puts them in the forefront of the new republican party. (Nichole does seem sincere, and hates the turd with every fiber of her being. The other two are political chess players.)

But right now, they are speaking truth to power. I do know how to think critically, appreciate help from anyone that is currently against the turd, and once we are rid of him, re-evaluate the worth of those who were originally a source of the problem, but (allegedly) saw the light.

The question is, how long will that light burn, and how intense? And will they be a force in actually changing the very core and intent of the republican party? (THAT will have to a include a complete rejection of the turd base (and their hatreds, prejudices and biases), and a stated adherence to the core beliefs of the constitution (including the ABSOLUTE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, as written in the constitution). If so, I welcome them. Two decent parties would be much easier to work with than one decent party and one scorched earth party. Scorched earth policies tend to result in extreme collateral damage. It is hard for a decent party to fight another party the cheats, lies and steals, anyway they can. So I could accept a reasonable republican party. Sadly, we haven't had one since Eisenhower. (IMHO)

But to respond to your karma mention, maybe it was my misunderstanding of the issues, but the way I read the intent of the lawsuits was that THE TURD wanted to receive the profits from the book, since he is implying that the book is libelous, slanderous, and breaking confidentiality agreements, all at HIS expense.

EVERYTHING he does has $$ signs attached. All he is thinking about right now is how much money he can abscond with, since he KNOWS he will lose a fair election. Plus, I don't think playing president has been near the fun the thought it would be. He is bored, over it, and just wants to bleed everyone of as much lucre that he can. He knows he has completely destroyed his "brand".

But again, maybe I misunderstood.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

39. The Bolton profits should be split between Black Live Matter and GLAAD.

Or if there is enough money to do so, buy a Trump property and demolish it with great fanfare and celebration. Ka-BOOM!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

40. The money would go to the government. That's how it works.

Which is OK with me, since it's our money and a lot of it got wasted on trying to get the injunction.

[North Shore Chicago]

5. Steve

He is in increments making amends for his past. With the assistance of the Lincoln project, this squatter will be removed!

[BComplex]

6. I think republicans are really angry at trump for destroying their party.

Schmidt and some of the other never trumpers pull no punches in their level of vitriol. I love it!

[Baitball Blogger]

9. And we are officially in the ante-election period.

[grantcart]

12. Lol interesting term, how do you mean it?

[Baitball Blogger]

17. I just researched the meaning of Antebellum.

Ante is latin for before.

The things I'm learning these days.

[cayugafalls]

21. I am wary, but glad they are on our side in this fight.

They are going all in and have been hitting dump in his ego from the start, I really like their ads.

They are helping us defeat Sir Bleach A Lot and the Elephant Droppings, so for now, I'll just go with it and hope for the best from them.

[R B Garr]

22. KnR

[gab13by13]

27. I don't ever want to get into a back and forth

with Steve Schmidt.

[keithbvadu2]

29. Pay attention to Trump when he says the economy is going down the drain if he is not reelected.

Pay attention to Trump when he says the economy is going down the drain if he is not reelected.

He is telling us what shape he will leave the country in.

[mwb970]

43. And then a Democrat will come in and clean up the mess.

Again. This cycle repeats endlessly.

[roamer65]

52. THIS.

[angel823]

57. THIS INDEED

[SpankMe]

31. "Your legacy is death, weakness and economic collapse"

Steve Schmidt ought to stop holding back and say what he really thinks.

[Fla Dem]

33. Applaud and appreciate Steve Schmidt and Rick Wilson now, but remember they'll be on the other side

after the election when Biden is sitting in the oval office and Dems control the House and Senate.

[onetexan]

38. Good point, lets see how many of these Trump-hating GOP pundits

Bash Dems once Biden is in power. But i do enjoy seeing him bash the Idiot in the most crude way, as he deserves.

[roamer65]

51. I'm not so sure of that now.

I think they are going to lead a purge of what’s left of the Repuke party. That purge has a good chance of splitting that party into 2 for decades.

[sellitman]

35. I don't pay him much attention.

He is still a Republican

Deep down he's nuts.

[jcgoldie]

41. Well Trump and I have something in common...

I also agree with Steve Schmidt!

[mwb970]

42. Everything and everyone trump doesn't like is "failed".

There is a certain irony to this that the president may be missing.

[DFW]

44. Trump doesn't even seem to get that Schmidt was mostly bashing Trump, not Bolton

But what else is new?

[Cha]

45. Go Steve!!!

[czarjak]

48. They were still one of them once and would be again in perfect circumstances.

[Hulk]

55. The enemy of your enemy is your friend....

But this guy is a nasty biotch. Can't trust him any farther than I could throw him. The ONLY redeeming characteristic of this repuKKKe is his disdain for the Draft Dodging Coward. That's it.

[angel823]

58. Agree

sadly.

[FakeNoose]

56. Let's face it - most of us are amateur political commenters

Steve Schmidt and Rick Wilson are professionals, and they're quite good at it. I admire the abilities of both of these men.

I wish they would join the Good Guys' Team but that's not where their interest lies. (Maybe they would join us if they got paid, but that's another story.) I don't admire their politics, but I do appreciate their wit and street-smarts!