Crash Course: Why do Republicans even bother with this whole farce?

Trump wasn't there, but we saw why he's leading: GOP voters don't care about substance, just unjustified grievances [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvd3QybjV1Y2pkNC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDZXA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdTk2YjV6c2dpci8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). Why do Republicans even bother with this whole farce? From Amanda Marcotte: As last night's debate demonstrated, the insignificance of a Republican debate isn't just due to Trump's skill at sucking the oxygen out of any room — even one he's not in — Trump's power is entirely due to the vacuum created by the vapidity of Republican leaders. Watching this non-debate was mainly a reminder that none of these politicians possess anything resembling substance. Despite all the chatter from the punditry about "policy," the voters these candidates are trying to reach could not care less about the nuts and bolts of governance. The GOP exists mainly as a vehicle for the endless parade of unwarranted, incoherent grievances of the Republican base. [Read more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdmxha2Q5Y2wyYS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). "Trump is in the final stage of cult leadership": Fulton County arrest elevates his MAGA "martyrdom" From Chauncey DeVega: In all, this week has been a spectacle of the worst sort. [At CNN, Stephen Collinson](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNm5qdnI3cjZ2bC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDZXA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) accurately described it as, "No other GOP leader could confidently snub a prime-time television debate and turn his no-show into an argument for his inevitability. But Trump – as with his attempt to use criminal indictments to advance a political career that has always prospered amid perceptions that he's being unfairly treated – is changing all the rules of campaigning once again." [Read more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvd3hmOW1kZjdyeC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). Keep Salon independent — [subscribe today](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMmx4ZXVkdmJmcC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) and unlock more benefits! Up Next ... - "The elephant not in the room": [Fox News moderators booed with mention of Trump at first GOP debate](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveW56c2hlcnNrOC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - Former land of [BTK Killer](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNXMweGsybno2NC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) searched for cold case connections - [Why is everyone leaving this celebrity manager?](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYzRyaHprdzBteC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Here’s who ditched him, and here’s who’s left - Ex-U.S. attorney: [John Eastman statement "can be used against him"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZXdzcTFzenRidS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) after he doubles down on Big Lie - Baking with the beloved, unknown dead: [How tombstone recipes connect us to food and family history](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvczZmcmZuMTB4My8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - [Why is "Ahsoka" so intent on maintaining the old "Star Wars" order](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNXFncjNhZmc3Zy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) instead of forging a new path? - [What is pinsa?](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveWIyd2hqZDNyMi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Pizza's hipper, fresher little sibling is now stepping into the spotlight - [How to debate a missing Donald Trump](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvY3V0Y2lxcnVrNC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo): Go after his family business Before you go ... We need to talk about Jennifer Aniston's misguided take on cancel culture From Nardos Haile: The actress isn't really known for her nuanced opinions and takes on culture, and it may be jarring to see her have such a strong stance one way or another on something as trivial as so-called cancel culture. Aniston's appeal in Hollywood isn't because people look to her for thoughtful commentary. Her appeal is that she is the approachable woman. She's been in numerous rom-coms. She's always in a buddy comedy with pal Adam Sandler. She is the nepotism daughter of a longtime "Days of Our Lives" actor, John Aniston. She is truly an image of a privileged white leading woman in the industry. [Read more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmyb0_P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMDNlZDBsaHVwei8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXB3N2NiNGthNDYmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZNs_OOdkr1WB7lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). 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