As 2024 nears, focus on the message, not the man

After what seems to be the blink of an eye since 2020, here we are facing another Presidential election, just 17 months away, with candidates already lining up for the job of the nation’s chief executive.

Being jaded after decades involved in politics, I am not easily drawn into the hype and glitz surrounding any candidate, but I do have an unshakable set of principles based on a good upbringing, a solid education, years of experience and keeping up with current events. I support a candidate based on their stands on the issues or what they have accomplished. I have always voted Republican because they are the party that stands for maximum personal freedom, a strong national defense, law and order, and capitalism, all of which are principles that the other major party, the Democrats, no longer even pretends to believe in.

There are, of course, many different brands of Republican because it is a diverse party, and although there are several candidates who I could readily support, I am keeping my powder dry for now. I supported Donald Trump in 2016 because he was the only candidate who was taking on the exhausted shell of the D.C. establishment, and I again supported him in 2020 because he was the only president in my lifetime who actually delivered on his campaign promises, even while under constant assault from those in both parties who saw national politics as their private plaything. This time around, however, I haven’t made any decision on who gets my primary support. The only certainty is that the Biden administration has to end for the good of the country, because it has been a disaster in any area you can name, from the economy to defense, and everything in between.

I still like Trump, but I am certainly not a “Trumpist."  I’m also not one of those who say Trump is a fascist. Those folks remind me of my favorite meme showing a book cover with a caricature of Hitler sliding down a rainbow with the caption, “Everyone I don’t like is Hitler! An emotional child’s Guide to Political Discussion.” Such arguments are not arguments at all and indicate not only a dishonest immaturity, but an appalling ignorance of history.

Having written the above, Trump is definitely one of my top three or four, or five. I also like Ron DeSantis, whose actions as governor of Florida show that he is a rock-ribbed conservative, although his campaign rollout has been less than stellar.

As much as I like Trump, it is his attacks on DeSantis that plant some doubt in my mind about the former president.

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With a huge lead in the polls, why does Trump find it necessary to repeatedly attack DeSantis? In fact, Trump seems to be striking out at other Republicans as well, including a childish and totally unprovoked attack on his former Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, for perceived on-air slights. It’s not a good look for the former President, and although it may be entertaining to some of his fans, it could turn off some more thoughtful voters.

The other issue with Trump that is becoming apparent is how he seems to be moving to the left on issues just to attack opponents. Examples are how he said, in a remarkable video posted on Truth Social, that Governor Andrew Cuomo handled COVID better in New York than Governor Ron DeSantis did in Florida. Trump supporters also need to remember that Trump elevated the man they love to hate, Dr. Fauci, and rushed through the vaccines that many conservatives think caused many deaths and medical problems.

Trump also criticized DeSantis about the governor’s feud with Disney over the latter’s “woke” policies, saying it could lead to an economic apocalypse, even though Disney has signaled that it will not divest its holdings in Florida, according to the Palm Beach Post.

In an issue that should set off alarm bells with Trump-supporting conservatives, Trump also said that Florida’s six-week abortion ban was “too harsh," while not clarifying his own position on abortion, according to Fox News.

I’m not saying that conservative voters should abandon Trump, but they need to deal with their own cognitive dissonance regarding what they believe versus Trump’s ever-changing positions.

Voters need to take a fresh look at all candidates before deciding who to support come 2024. Cult-like devotion to any candidate is dangerous, and often brings disastrous consequences in a general election. PA Republicans need only look back to November 2022 for a reminder of that.

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Dwight Weidman is a resident of Greene Township and is a graduate of Shepherd University. He is retired from the United States Department of Defense, where his career included assignments In Europe, Asia, and Central America. He has been in leadership roles for the Republican Party in two states, most recently serving two terms as Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party. He has been an Amateur Radio Operator since 1988, getting his first license in Germany, and is a past volunteer with both Navy and Army MARS, Military Auxiliary Radio Service, and is also a certified firearms instructor. In his spare time, he dabbles in genealogy and learning new languages.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Weidman: Look at the message, not the man as 2024 election nears