Vice President JD Vance

Marco Rubio Rises As JD Vance Falls In Image

Ronald 3 Comments

This author and blogger has never been overly impressed or thrilled with former Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is now Secretary of State and National Security Adviser for President Donald Trump.

But I have also said to my friends that Rubio is the “best” person surrounding Donald Trump in his second term, whether one agrees with everything he says or has done.

Rumors are spreading that Rubio may gain the backing of Trump to be his successor, which is a double edged sword, over Vice President JD Vance.

Of course, if Trump leaves office during this term, and his physical and mental health are questionable, Vance would become the 48th President.

But the fact that Rubio held a comparatively impressive press conference with the news media, and came across as rational and reasonable, something not seen in this second Trump Presidency, is going to fuel rumors about the future.

Rubio came across as more forthcoming and pleasant, unlike the hostility of other Trump Cabinet members, and President Trump, toward the press.

Regarding personality and public presence, Rubio wins out easily over the awkward, often unpleasant, stilted Vance.

Rubio is going off to see Pope Leo XIV and the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after recent disputes between both leaders and Donald Trump, seen by many as “fence mending”.

In the world of Donald Trump, Marco Rubio seems to have risen in esteem, but of course, if Rubio gains too much positive reputation, it could also backfire.

There has been a sense that Rubio, who has been very quiet publicly until now, has been uncomfortable about many issues, at least if one observes and analyzes body language.

It will be interesting to see what occurs after Rubio has visited Italy later this week.

Dangerous To Have Presidential Succession Group In One Place Off Government Protected Buildings, As Occurred At Washington Hilton Hotel!

Ronald 10 Comments

The horrifying incident of a gunman at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents Association Annual Dinner was more than just a threat to the President of the United States and the 2,500 guests, many of them journalists.

It also was the reality that MOST of the group under the 1947 Presidential Succession Act were also there, truly a dangerous and unacceptable scenario.

13 members of the Presidential succession were at the event, including Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

But also almost all of the Cabinet Officers were present, leaving an alarming situation.

The only people under the Presidential Succession Act NOT present were:

President Pro Tempore of the Senate Chuck Grassley of Iowa, nearing age 93;

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins;

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick;

The two “Acting” Secretaries–Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling were there, who some observers would say are not eligible to succeed to the Presidency, as they have not been selected yet as the successors in those posts, and have not been confirmed.

Also, it is unclear if Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs were present at the event.

There was no formal “Designated Survivor” chosen before the event in case of a tragedy.

Never again can the federal government allow even the unlikely scenario that occurred on April 25 to happen again.

One Week Away, And So Much News Occurring!

Ronald 124 Comments

This blogger, author, and scholar has been away in Philadelphia for the past week, first time since 2008, visiting all of the historic sites and museums in that city, and also enjoying the musical “1776”, at the Walnut Theater, the oldest theater in America, going back to 1809 (the year of Abraham Lincoln’s birth), so now celebrating its 217th year.

While on vacation, so much news occurred, as one can never escape from reality, so we saw, among other news events the following:

Exposure of the abuses perpetrated by California Democratic Congressman Eric Swallwell, a leading candidate for Governor, forcing his withdrawal from that race, and resignation from Congress, a totally stunning event.

The continued conflict between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, including Trump being depicted as Jesus, or being blessed by Jesus, a true blasphemy of the true teachings of Christianity. It has alienated millions of American Catholics from Donald Trump.

The surprising overwhelming defeat of Hungarian right wing leader Viktor Orban in national elections, a real blow to the Fascist orientation of both Orban, and of Donald Trump and JD Vance, who campaigned to save him, and failed massively, undermining both Trump’s image, and the future of JD Vance.

Growing indications that with the Iran War continuing,

and with growing criticism of many of Donald Trump’s Cabinet members,

and with higher prices affecting tens of millions of Americans,

and also the clearcut enrichment of Trump and his family against the emoluments clause of the Constitution,

that Republicans are on the road to massive losses in the upcoming midterm elections of 2026.

Donald Trump’s Verbal Threat Against Iranian Civilization The Most Shocking Utterance Ever Of A President, And Requires Removal As A Threat To National And World Security!

Ronald 83 Comments

Donald Trump’s verbal threat to destroy Iranian civilization, and send that nation back to the Stone Age, is the most reckless, dangerous utterance ever expressed by any American President. For any President to threaten mass murder and genocide, a war crime, is not something that can be seen as a “slip of the tongue”!

There is no forgiveness possible for this, as clearly, beyond any doubt, we have an unhinged, unstable, out of control, demented, dangerous demagogue who has control over nuclear weapons, and could destroy not only Iran, but the entire world in a moment of lunacy and out of touch with reality.

Every effort must be taken to force Trump out of office, as occurred with Richard Nixon in 1974.

It is clear that many people around Trump realize he is unstable, and there is dissent behind the scenes, including JD Vance and Tulsi Gabbard on the Iran War, but also others that quietly realize how dangerous Trump is.

Democrats and right wing Republicans that have spoken out on Trump’s horrendous behavior must work incessantly to bring pressure to force use of the 25th Amendment, and put the nation ahead of personal loyalty.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Alex Jones, Megyn Kelly, Laura Loomer, Nick Fuentes—all horrendous, obscene individuals, and others like them—have condemned the Iran War and Trump’s rhetoric, and a few Congressional Republicans, Thomas Massie, Don Bacon, Ron Johnson as three examples, have spoken out as well.

Pressure must be brought on the entirety of Congressional Republicans and the Trump Cabinet, led by Vice President JD Vance, to do what is right, and it would, likely, help them in tough Congressional races.

But the future of the nation and survival of democracy requires courage and principle above personal considerations, on the level of those Congressional Republicans, led by Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Senator Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania, and Congressman John Rhodes of Arizona, who pushed Richard Nixon to leave office in August 1974!

NY Times Reports On White House “Situation Room” Discussions That Led To Decision To Go To War With Iran

Ronald 11 Comments

After more than five weeks of war, now the NY Times reports on the White House “Situation Room” discussions that led to the decision for Donald Trump to decide that America should go to war with Iran.

It is now more clear than ever before that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an overwhelming impact on Donald Trump, and was actually present in the “Situation Room” to give the case for war.

But it is also clear that Vice President JD Vance had strong discomfort about going to war, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, General Dan Caine (Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), and White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles, all had different levels of reservation about the military effort.

Interestingly, and disturbing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were not even part of the group considering what action to take.

At the same time, why would non diplomats Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who clearly botched their negotiations with Iran before February 28, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (who is way out of the loop in regards to her own utterances and behavior), even be part of the discussion?

Only Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was strongly advocating action, and the rest were wimpy and weak and caved in to Trump’s evil instincts.

The danger to the Strait of Hormuz being shut down was discussed by General Caine, and the concern about the depletion of munitions over time. And everyone certainly knew a war would have a disastrous economic effect, as well as undermine relations with NATO allies and other friendly nations, but the entire group, in differing levels, were too weak to come out and oppose the military action.

For this, the Trump Presidency and its participants on high levels will be condemned in the long run of history, and most certainly, it will have a massive negative effect on Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026, although Trump is attempting to interfere in such elections, and must be vehemently fought in every way possible, in court and on the streets, to prevent such corruption and fixing or preventing elections.

American democracy is at stake, and everyone must be ready to do their part to promote necessary change, which should include the forced resignation or removal of Donald Trump, and replacement by Vice President Vance, who although he went along in a weak way with the actions taken, at least it is clear that he would be likely to change course when and if he became President of the United States!

Armageddon And Genocide Postponed, But Trump Is Danger And Threat To Entire World And MUST Be Removed From Office!

Ronald 2 Comments

For the moment, the danger of Armageddon and Genocide has been postponed for two weeks, but Donald Trump remains a dire threat to the entire world with his diabolical threats against Iran.

This has nothing to do with supporting the Iranian government, which is evil and despicable, but the thought of exterminating an entire civilization, as threatened by the unhinged, unstable, erratic madman President of the United States, requires action to remove him before he decides to follow through on his reckless threats.

When you have right wing extremists such as Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, all clearly dangerous advocates of extremism, taking a stand that Donald Trump needs to be removed from the Oval Office, it is clear that Donald Trump has gone much too far toward insanity.

And when Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, always an extremist right winger says the same, and more moderate Utah Senator John Curtis agrees on the need for action, it is irresponsible for nothing to be done about the threat that Donald Trump represents.

We have never had at any time in our history a danger of this magnitude from within the US government, and the military apparatus needs to make clear that they would NOT follow illegal, unethical orders by the President of the United States to promote mass murder.

And evoking white supremacist right wing evangelical Christianity as part of the military, as promoted by reckless Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Trump bringing Jesus Christ into the equation, is madness personified, as America is based on separation of church and state.

There clearly were doubts from the beginning of people around Trump regarding going to war against Iran, but everyone demonstrated a lack of courage to speak up and challenge the President. But this must not continue, and the Cabinet and Vice President JD Vance need to invoke the 25th Amendment and take away the ultimate power from Donald Trump!

CPAC And The Republican Future: Not Inspiring!

Ronald 11 Comments

The Republican Party is in deep trouble, as more Republicans are leaving Congress at the time of the Midterm Elections of 2026, and the alternatives to follow Donald Trump are not inspiring. This was demonstrated by the annual gathering of a right wing Republican group that was very lacking in excitement this past few days.

CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference). looking to the future, is divided between Vice President JD Vance with 53 percent support, down from last year’s 61 percent, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio gaining 35 percent, massively increased from last year’s 3 percent.

No one else is really in the running, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump Jr. each having 2 percent; and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard each gaining 1 percent.

The gathering also backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton overwhelmingly over Texas Senator John Cornyn by 67 percent to 21 percent, in the upcoming Senate Primary runoff, demonstrating how extreme and crazy CPAC’s reputation has become!

No member of the Trump family showed up, the first time in ten years!

Hints Of Split Between Trump And Vance, Reminding Us Of Other Such Splits Between Presidents And Vice Presidents!

Ronald 2 Comments

There are growing signs of a split developing between President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance over the Iran War.

Vance has been unusually quiet and in the background, since the now 18 day war against Iran began on February 28.

Of course, Vance is NOT stating his disagreement over strategy and tactics openly, but his demeanor and public utterances hint at a growing distance of Vance from Trump.

Vance was clearly an isolationist in his brief term in the US Senate, and made public statements for years of an “America First” mentality, wanting America to step out of a major role in world affairs.

Vance was quick to condemn Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2025 when he was at the White House, but now he sits mostly silently at White House meetings, and his body language indicates discomfort.

Vance is certainly thinking ahead to the thought of the 2028 Presidential election, and trying to figure out how to manage a likely challenge from someone he calls his “friend”, but clearly is very ambitious and desirous of running for the Presidency.

That person is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been promoting the intervention in Iran in a major way, although consistently changing the reasoning and strategy of that war.

This is not the first time a President and Vice President have been at odds over policy and approach to governing.

Earlier examples are:

Thomas Jefferson under John Adams 1797-1801
Aaron Burr under Thomas Jefferson 1801-1805
John C. Calhoun under John Quincy Adams 1825-1829
John C. Calhoun under Andrew Jackson 1829-1832
Thomas Marshall under Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921
Charles G. Dawes under Calvin Coolidge 1925-1929
John Nance Garner under Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933-1941
Henry A. Wallace under Franklin D. Roosevelt 1941-1945
Hubert Humphrey under Lyndon B. Johnson 1965-1969
Al Gore under Bill Clinton 1993-2001
Dick Cheney under George W. Bush 2001-2009
Mike Pence under Donald Trump 2017-2021

The first four situations in the early years of the American Republic were major issues, as was Garner under FDR, while the others were more hidden or “behind the scenes”, more recognized after the fact.

It will be fascinating to see how this growing division between Trump and Vance play out, and whether it will have an effect on who Trump endorses for the Republican nomination in 2028, assuming that Trump does not leave office by incapacity or death before that election.

Emergence Of Anti Iran War MAGA Republicans Could Affect Midterm Elections Of 2026, And Presidential Election Of 2028!

Ronald 73 Comments

Now that the United States is in Week Two of the Iran War, and with the son of the late Ayatollah being annointed his successor, it seems clear that America is on the road to a long, massive, expensive, disastrous intervention in the Middle East, without any certainty of success, similar to the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.

And opposition is starting to emerge, from many so called MAGA Republicans, against the military intervention, some of it openly, and some of it behind the scenes.

Openly critical individuals this early include:

Tucker Carlson
Steve Bannon
Marjorie Taylor Greene, former Congresswoman from Georgia
Thomas Massie, Congressman from Kentucky
Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky

Behind the scenes, based on past views about military intervention, and support of “isolationism” expressed, would include the following:

Vice President JD Vance
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

The latter two are being very quiet at this point, but their past record of viewpoints clashes with what Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and apparently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio are promoting.

So there could be a battle brewing for the future of the Republican Party, based on what happens in the midterms, and as the Republican Party starts to look at its future direction.

It is hard to imagine Vance openly breaking with his party and his “boss”, the President of the United States, but it is perceived by many that had Vice President Kamala Harris expressed more differences with her “boss”, Joe Biden, possibly, the result in the Presidential Election of 2024 might have been different.

If Vance was to “break” with Trump, he still would be Vice President, but it would encourage Marco Rubio, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, and others to challenge him for the Presidential nomination in 2028.

Of course, IF Vance became President by succession, and therefore, would be a sitting President, it would be much more difficult for a rebellion by MAGA Republicans to succeed against him.

Most certainly, the future of the Republican Party with the upcoming Presidential Election of 2028, is very much a fluid situation, and very difficult to project what will occur down the road!

Complete Reversal On Foreign Wars By Trump, Vance, Tulsi Gabbard And Others, Infuriating MAGA Republicans!

Ronald 38 Comments

In a time when America is at war with Iran, it has become clear that Donald Trump has completely reversed his earlier “isolationist” view on foreign policy and engaging in wars, which was a major part of his appeal in the Presidential Election of 2024.

Not only has Trump reversed, but Vice President JD Vance made clear his similar isolationist views while in the Senate from Ohio in 2023.

Also, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, formerly a Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, expressed similar views when a candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination for the Presidential Election of 2020.

This reality has alienated many MAGA Republicans, including former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, both controversial commentators of right wing ideology.

Whether this will have an effect among MAGA Republican voters in the Midterm Elections of 2026 and the Presidential Election of 2028 is unpredictable.