![]() ![]() We people with fear to make money, because fear and outrage make way more money than happy-go-lucky does. started when outrage for profit did - some AM radio shows, Rush Limbaugh, then the blogs. And what are the steps you think that got us here? If this isn’t a policy thing, this is a fundamental breakdown, because obviously Trump, a president whom you described as unfit, doesn’t happen overnight. Basically, Republicans and Democrats on these kinds of debates have to get away from, “Well, what do you personally believe on policy?” to, “Well, how do we just restore the ability to have differences and hear from each other again?” It’s just opportunity - it’s that a kid should have the same opportunity no matter where they’re born.īut then the other thing is it’s just the reality that peddling in conspiracies and darkness and using fear is detrimental, and it may not be a massive policy difference, but it’s the kind of difference that can actually lead to real damage to the country. And I think we need to go back to the basics, like what is conservative? It’s not a wall it’s not even taxes. But … I think there’s not a common set of understanding among Republicans anymore about what we do stand for. So first off, the president’s policies were basically just the Republican policies that he co-opted. That’s what we kind of have to I think start thinking differently about. You were relatively supportive of the policies of the administration is it just about him as a person or is there an actual policy difference at this point? So now this I think is defending democracy. I’ve just been willing to do it in this case because I have to look back at why I got into politics in the first place and say, Okay, it’s to defend America’s role in the world and to defend democracy. Let’s see if it’s successful.” I understand not necessarily wanting to put your career or opportunity to serve on the line. I think if you’re in office, it’s like, “Hey, I like the idea. ![]() So some of the people that have been in office or in politics, I think they will come out and be supportive in time. ![]() Why aren’t folks willing to say the same thing in public that they’re saying in phone calls with you and not going out there and doing the same thing? One thing I’ve found covering Washington and covering Trump over the past half-decade is that what folks are willing to say in private, over drinks, is a lot different from what they say in public. And if this democracy shatters and falls, then the bottom line is everything we debate and we’re outraged about today will pale in comparison to the lower on the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that we’re going to have to deal with. And that’s the kind of thing that can be truly damaging to democracy. The truth is the 74 million that voted for Trump weren’t disenfranchised, they were enfranchised, there were more people that voted who voted against them. And so when he lost and started to say people were disenfranchised and that’s the narrative. But there’s a difference between just kind of being a jerk and somebody that won’t accept the election results and has access to convince tens of millions of Americans of a true falsehood. And that’s where I think I’ve been one of the more outspoken members - not all the time but when necessary, I’ll press him on some things. I mean, is it fair to say that what happened in the aftermath of the election was really the breaking point? There’s been times you’ve been supportive of President Trump and times that you’ve been critical. But what’s been really great is just the number of Republicans that have reached out that have been either a bit supportive in the past, or they’re still in the party but they’re concerned, or they want to come back to the party a number of independents even some Democrats that just want a normal Republican Party. And I’ll tell you, I’ve had a lot of names I can’t say, but a lot of people, big names that just call me saying “Thanks.” And it’s like the kind of people that it’s surprising but also that’s great. Since you’ve gotten started with Country First, what’s the response been like? He spoke to Intelligencer about why he launched a political-action committee to defend Republicans such as himself and move his party back toward the mainstream, and he made a bold prediction: Trump will fade away. Yet the six-term congressman and Air Force veteran isn’t bothered. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesĪdam Kinzinger was one of ten House Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump over his incitement of the January 6 attack on the Capitol, and for that he was personally attacked by Trump, censured by Republican activists in his Illinois district, and even denounced by members of his own family. Adam Kinzinger outside the White House in 2019. ![]()
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