Finding Thanks is Gratitude, Even After Elections – “The Sunday Political Brunch”
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
Finding Thanks is Gratitude, Even After Elections – “The Sunday Political Brunch”
“This Election Had Certainty” – I was born in 1959. The 1960 election between Vice-President Richard Nixon (R) California and Sen. John Kennedy (D) Massachusetts was close and contentious, and there are those who still claim the Kennedy camp did nefarious things in Illinois, that ultimately stole the election from Nixon. Nothing was ever proved, and life moved on. There was not another closely disputed election until 2000 with Vice-President Al Gore, Jr., (D) Tennessee and Gov. George W. Bush (R) Texas, that ultimately was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Not since then, and not this time. In 2016 Donald Trump won the Electoral College while Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. In 2020 and 2024 one person won the popular vote, and the Electoral College without dispute. That’s huge, and the nation moves forward, quietly for now.
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“My FIRST Thanksgiving that Matters” – The first Thanksgiving I can recall, was November 28, 1963. It was six days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was just four-and-a-half years old. I grew up in a large Irish Catholic family. Even though my parents and grandparents supported Richard Nixon in the 1960 election, they were still immensely proud that the first Irish Catholic, Kennedy, won the White House. The only thing on TV was post-assassination coverage. My Grandma Peggy (my mom’s mom), was so distraught with grief that she said, “Marky I need you to help me make the Thanksgiving dinner.” And I did. To date, I still make her stuffing recipe from memory. I do not have it written down anywhere, even 61 years later. That’s how searing and profound those days were. This year I am thankful that Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts. That’s not saying I endorse or support him. What I am saying is, “Ballots, not bullets, should decide elections!”
“Why the 2024 Outcome Matters” – 2024 matters after the violence we saw on January 6, 2021. President Biden and President-elect Trump have pledged a smooth transition in power, even though Trump did not pledge to do so in 2020. The violence of 2021 taught us an important lesson, I hope. Allegations of voter fraud and impropriety need proof, not just claims. From Election Day in 2020, until January 6, 2021, the Trump Administration still controlled all 93 U.S. Attorneys’ offices in the nation. Those offices had complete authority and power, to investigate and prove fraud. Not one office ever filed charges. Not one! That’s telling!
“One Party Rule Guarantees Nothing!” – After the Vietnam War and Watergate and the Nixon Pardon, there was widespread belief that Democrats would control the whole agenda. Yes, Gov. Jimmy Carter (D) Georgia was elected president in 1976, and came into power with large majorities in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House. At the time many supporters thought he’d have a robust agenda, with just the “rubber stamp” of Congress. Wrong! Virtually nothing of substance ever got done. Carter ran as an “outsider” and that offended many Congressional leaders of his own party. They stonewalled much of his agenda. Fast forward to 1992, when the very same scenarios happened with President-elect Gov. Bill Clinton (D) Arkansas. Clinton did not accomplish much in his first term but got a lot done after his reelection with Republicans controlling both the House and Senate. The phase, “compromise is not a dirty word,” was reborn.
“Cautious Concerns About Violence” – While the two presidents have pledged a peaceful transition of power, there are concerns. The FBI, Secret Service, and other law enforcement are investigating what are described as credible threats against certain cabinet nominees and high-level appointees. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth said on X, “This morning, a police officer arrived at our home – where our seven children were still sleeping. The officer notified my wife and I that they had received a credible pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family.” Hegseth added, “I will not be bullied or intimidated. President Trump has called on me to serve – and that is what I intend to do.” I’ve said it many times in the past few years, that violence has no place in politics. Again, let’s rule by ballots, not bullets.
“Be Careful What You Suggest” – While Barack Obama was elected in 2008 with majorities in the House and Senate, some of his policies were unpopular, and Republicans seized control of the House in 2010. Obama was reelected in 2012, but relations with Congress were brutal. Frustrated by a government shutdown led by Republicans in 2013, Obama famously said, “You don’t like a particular policy or a particular president? Then, argue for your position. Go out there and win an election. Push to change it. But don’t break it. Don’t break what our predecessors spent over two centuries building. That’s not being faithful to what this country’s about.” Republicans promptly seized control of the Senate in 2014 and the White House again in 2016. My point is the public is not in love with either party, so the balance of power ebbs and flows. Democrats may bounce back in 2026 and 2028.
“Another Trump Legal Win” – After a series of serious legal defeats, President-elect Trump has another legal win. Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to end investigations involving classified documents held by the ex-president and claims involving allegations of election interference in 2020. Some other legal claims against Trump have been done away with and his sentencing in the hush money case has been delayed. "These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought," Trump wrote on his social media platform. The only thing Trump appears on the hook for are civil lawsuits in which he was found liable and ordered to pay damages. Those are being appealed.