I guess you can say politics is a game of inches.
In case you just woke up from a three-day bender, history was both made and averted early Saturday evening when Donald Trump narrowly dodged an assassin's bullet during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Here’s the famous pic:
Although I don’t hate him as much as some of my friends, I don’t like Donald Trump and could never bring myself to vote for him.
That being said, even I’ll admit I thought the theatrics he executed immediately after nearly being executed were kind of badass. The only thing that would have been better is if he ran to the corner of the stage and posed for cameras like Megan Rapinoe!
Sure, Trump's reaction made the whole thing appear as staged as a WWE fight – and will only fuel conspiracy theories for the next hundred years or so – but give the man credit. He may be a lying, narcissistic, right-wing diabolical nut job and sexual predator who’s bad for democracy and makes the world a more dangerous place, but he’s also one hell of a showman.
As expected, Oklahoma political leaders were quick to issue statements offering their thoughts, sympathies, and prayers. You can read recaps of them here or here or here.
For the most part, the statements were respectful and somber in tone, and – probably because it made them contemplate their own mortality – offered a brief respite from the divisive political rhetoric of the day.
In fact, many of our political leaders actually disavowed political violence and included hollow calls for unity.
Well, except for one.
After the shooting, Ryan first issued a stock “thoughts and prayers” statement that – in an obvious attempt to increase his chances of being named US Secretary of Education during a second Trump regime – praised the former President’s strength and resolve.
“My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and his family today after an apparent assassination attempt. While we await additional details on this situation, I know President Trump’s strength and resolve, and know he will not back down to anyone.”
Well, so much for waiting for additional details.
Just 3 hours and 18 minutes after a bullet flew by Trump’s head – and before everyone knew the gunman was a young, deranged Republican gun nut – Ryan Walters hopped on Twitter to officially blame his three favorite boogeymen for what transpired: the left, the liberal media, and “the radical extremists of Joe Biden’s party.”
What a chode, huh?
Although I think incompetent law enforcement should get some credit, I actually agree with Marcuswayne Mullin – something I never thought I'd write – and think that the only person who is directly responsible for the incident is the shooter himself.
That being said, if Ryan is right and it’s okay to blame the left, the liberal media, and “the radical extremists of Joe Biden’s party,” I guess it’s also okay to blame Ryan Walters for the bomb threats against Oklahoma teachers, students, and librarians, or the tragic deaths of students who took their lives after facing torment and bullying from people who believe and follow Ryan’s vile rhetoric.
That seems like a fair trade-off, huh?
If you ask me, the only surprising thing about Ryan’s tweet is that it took him almost 200 minutes to send it.
Seriously, you’d think Ryan and Matt and their high-priced out-of-state PR teams would have a stock template on standby for this exact situation!
As JD Vance proved, being the first GOP politician to blame Joe Biden for the actions of some lone wolf gunman would have landed Ryan some prime-time media attention and scored him major points with the MAGA right. But, thanks to his indecisiveness, Ryan simply blended in with all the other loonies who shared similarly inflamed thoughts and feelings.
You know, like this asshat:
Although Ryan may be in the minority by blaming Biden and Co. for the actions of a lone Republican gunman, I have a feeling he’ll be joined by most of his colleagues over the next couple of days or so. Calls for solidarity and unity are generally hollow, unengaging, and have a short lifespan, so expect a return to regularly scheduled divisive programming very very soon.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
