Brandon Loran Maxwell

Sometimes I miss the principled commentary and conservative rigor of late Republicans like Charles Krauthammer, whom I always respected as an op-ed writer. The cultural degradation of our institutions under Trump is impossible to overstate. Professional decorum and policy arguments have been replaced by a culture of crudeness and contempt that treats public service as a cheap playground rather than a public trust. Yes, politics has always been a combat sport. I know. I have worked in media and politics for 20 years. But there still used to be a degree of dignity and civility. That no longer exists. Complex discussions are now reduced to the petulant theatrics of an adolescent locker room in exchange for fleeting vanity likes. The fact that the Republican Party has lowered the bar this far, and that so many now defend it, is every bit as disturbing as the damage itself. What does conservatism even stand for anymore? I rarely hear substantive arguments grounded in a coherent political philosophy. Instead, all I hear is a lot of anger, grievance, and identity politics dressed up as conviction.

As much as I LOVE to tout the fact that I have accurately called every midterm and presidential election over the last 10 years with 90%+ accuracy, I highly recommend against relying on my quips to make life changing investment decisions. 🤣

Talarico isn't going to win Texas.

Left/right partisans often lament Latino voter volatility. But if anything, Latinos have emerged as the nation's most optimistic and rational political electorate. This stubborn indie streak is far healthier than just voting party line every election. Make politicians work.

People who do not understand politics will think this statement is a win. But people who understand politics will know that it is a loss.