I could have used another four letter word but I used the word ‘heck’ in respect of the guy above. I am a third of the way through a book called ‘Romney’ written by McKay Coppins. Romney is pretty blunt about a number of Republicans, saving his most scathing criticism for Donald Trump. The following are two quotes on Newt Gingrich and Jared Kushner. Regarding Gingrich,

“smug know-it-all, smarmy, and too pleased with himself.”

With regard to Kushner,

 “I think he’s not smart, I mean, really not smart.”

That being said, Romney was pretty harsh on himself, as well. Especially about the compromises he made in his bid for President, both in 2008 and 2012. He is in the final years of Senator and in reading the book, one gets the impression that he is pretty comfortable in his skin and in his legacy.

The ‘what the heck’ part stems from the fact that he was the face of the Republican Party back in 2012, when he ran against Barak Obama. Now, 11 years later, he has become a pariah in his own Party. He was the only Republican Senator to vote to impeach Trump, in Trump’s first impeachment trial. He was one of seven Republicans in the second one. From standard-bearer to pariah. He has not changed but his party has. Right now, Trump far outpaces his competition as the 2024 Republican candidate for President, even though Trump is facing trials and lawsuits all over the place.

If you have a chance, listen to or read the book. It will be worth your while.