Key Takeaways:
– Michael Brendan Dougherty, a right-wing commentator, switched his vote from rejecting to supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 elections.
– His initial criticisms of Trump included concerns about Trump’s character and reliability.
– Dougherty later grew soft towards Trump due to his perceived accomplishments and lack of geostrategic disasters during his first term.
– He also began to see Trump’s bluster as more strategic than impulsive.
Full Story:
Former Trump Detractor Turns Supporter
In the past, like many right-wing commentators, Michael Brendan Dougherty was not a fan of Donald Trump. Dougherty’s disdain sprang mainly from Trump’s character and behaviour. Despite liking some policies, Dougherty was concerned about Trump’s character, divorced twice and known for his luxurious lifestyle. He doubted whether Trump could consistently uphold traditionally conservative policy promises. Dougherty also viewed Trump as unpredictable and impulsive.
Trump’s First Term Convinces Dougherty
However, as time elapsed, Dougherty started to view Trump from a different lens. He asserts that Trump’s first term in office hadn’t led to any severe geostrategic disasters for the United States. Dougherty believes this was a testament to Trump’s capability in handling foreign affairs without succumbing to major blunders that could potentially humiliate the country.
Supplementing this, something he initially criticised, Trump’s bluster, started to seem more strategic to Dougherty. He began seeing it as a calculated move to achieve political objectives rather than the result of impulsive recklessness.
A Shift in Dougherty’s Voting Standards
Experience impelled Dougherty to reassess his criteria for choosing a leader. He admitted that his standards had been too high in previous elections. Upon deeper reflection, he concluded he felt happier when Republicans won, despite only agreeing with 60-70 percent of their ideals – this percentage was still higher than what he agreed with Democrats.
Out of this reflection arose a new principle. In the 2024 elections, Dougherty find himself preferring Trump over any other candidate. He realised it was hypocritical to wish for this result but not contribute to making it happen. This led to his change in vote in 2024.
Addressing Concerns over Threats to Democracy
Dougherty does not deny that Trump’s words matter and reiterates that Trump, like all others, will be held answerable for what he says. But he emphasises looking at the broader picture – examining Trump’s actions and his behaviour during his tenure. Dougherty discourages supporting political leaders who lie, mislead, or act hypocritically. At the same time, he recognises that many leaders have gained from a profitable use of Machiavellian language that is instrumental rather than honest, and he sees Trump as a master of this practice.
In the end, Dougherty’s transformation from a Trump critic to a supporter highlights the complexities of political decision making. It’s not always a clear cut process and sometimes, past criticisms can subtly morph into endorsement, making the world of politics ever fascinating.