Washington DC Independence Day Eve 2024
"You have sat here too long for any good you are doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"
This is America's Dunkirk moment
In May 1940, Neville Chamberlain was a well meaning old man weeks away from death. For months he tried hard to reason with extremists. These sincere efforts only bought the extremists time and space for conquest. As the Low Countries fell to the Nazi's, Leo Amery MP delivered a speech to Parliament echoing Oliver Cromwell's words on dissolving the Long Parliament that will resonate with many in America today: "You have sat here too long for any good you are doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"
Churchill had been warning about the gathering storm for nearly a decade. He was unpopular - even after his appointment as PM on 10 May 1940 - people thought him alarmist! By then, much time, preparation, blood and treasure had already been lost. Britain had committed its forces to France. It fell so fast that the British Army and Air Force were at risk of annihilation. As the BEF fell back to the beaches at Dunkirk and all appeared lost, Churchill went to work to save the world from a monstrous tyranny against all odds.
The United States hangs in the balance
The United States stands on the precipice of no less as great a danger. With it stands the remaining free world. Extremists have again taken the Low Countries and France is about to fall. Ukraine is in a shooting war but the rest have fallen to hybrid war run from Moscow.
Majorities do not want either candidate. One is too old and the other is criminal agent of foreign influence who has announced he will terminate the constitution, pull out of NATO, give Ukraine to Russia, and try all opponents (left or right) for treason (defined as any disagreement with his views) with dire implications ("we all know what happens to traitors" as his Lt, MTG said). Worse, the supreme court just gave the Presidency powers that would have made George III blush.
Bold Action is Required
This is a moment for innovative and decisive action in the interests of national unity. The vast middle - outside the boundaries of the far right and left - are a majority that need to be saved from extremism.
A national unity government. Mayor Pete or Gov Newsome should be nominated. They in turn should announce Liz Cheney or Mitt Romney as VP, and appoint the other into the cabinet along with 1-2 more moderate traditional republicans.
It would be an easy victory. Then the new congress and executive should legislate to overturn the Courts grant of dictatorial power to the executive and stabilize the US.
Its bold. Its unusual. It wont please anyone. But it will save America
President Biden would have to withdraw and declare the position vacant without endorsing any candidate. It would completely change the national narrative. It will be stuck on Biden’s acuity from now until Election Day if he does not put the country first. The country should be stuck on the tyranny on offer on the other side, but it is self evident that is not the case.
Upend the narrative.
Thomas Friedman is right. Do the exact opposite of what your enemies want you to do. This was the conclusion Civil War II’s sister publication came to on the Israel - Hamas conflict and it applies here.
Adopt the approach above and all anyone will be talking about between now and Election Day will be the unique aspects of the ticket and how it will save America from autocracy supported by christian theocracy.
Support the constitution: Adopt a national unity government.
Update - 21 July - Aaron Sorkin Agrees with Civil War II
His solution is to put Romney on top of the ticket. But the principle of his argument is the same. The narrative needs to be changed and it is going to take something radical to make it happen.
It would be a good start, anyway. We need a major overhaul to many parts of the government.
Mitt Romney? U can’t b serious!