 the Three Stooges. They’re the other Republicans running for president in 2020. Mark Sanford is a former governor and congressman from South Carolina. He supported Trump in 2016, but he is now one of Trump’s biggest Republican critics.

archived recording (mark sanford) I think we need to have a conversation there. I think we need to have a conversation on the degree to which institutions and political culture are being damaged by this president.

david leonhardt

The next candidate, Joe Walsh, is a former Tea Party congressman from Illinois. He’s somewhat of a Trumpist on Twitter. He has attacked the parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims and supported the lie that Barack Obama was a Muslim.

archived recording (joe walsh) And I wouldn’t call myself a racist, but I’ve said racist things on Twitter. There’s no doubt about it.

david leonhardt

Finally, Bill Weld. He’s the former governor of Massachusetts, and he he’s a classic moderate New England Republican.

archived recording (bill weld) And we’re now talking about trillion dollars of accumulated deficit. That raises a fairness issue to the young people, the millennials and Gen Xers who are going to have to pay that bill. I’m not going to pay that bill.

david leonhardt

So Ross, have any of these musketeers won your heart, and why do they matter?

ross douthat

They haven’t won my heart. I find anyone who runs for president against an incumbent president who probably shouldn’t be president deserves a certain amount of credit and admiration. I think that you have to temper that admiration with the realization that running for president in this way can also be a little bit of a grift. I think a lot of anti-Trump Republicans sort of watched a version of that happen with Evan McMullin, who ran this doomed third-party conservative campaign against Trump and then seemed determined to monetize it for the next two to four years. And I think someone like Walsh, who is sort of a professional bomb thrower — this gets him on cable news and gives him a different profile. Now, obviously, he’s sort of torched his preexisting brand, so maybe he is exonerated from the grifting charge. All of these three guys have what you might call the
the Three Stooges. They ’re the other Republicans running for president in 2020. Mark Sanford is a former governor and congressman from South Carolina. He back Trump in 2016, but he is nowadays one of Trump ’s biggest Republican critics. 

 archived recording (mark sanford) I intend we need to have a conversation there. I intend we want to have a conversation on the academic degree to which institution and political culture are being damage by this president. 

 david leonhardt 

 The next campaigner, Joe Walsh, is a former Tea Party congressman from Illinois. He ’s somewhat of a Trumpist on Twitter. He has attacked the parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims and supported the lie that Barack Obama was a Muslim. 

 archive recording (joe walsh) And I would n’t call myself a racist, but I ’ve said racist things on Twitter. There ’s no doubt about it. 

 david leonhardt 

 last, Bill Weld. He ’s the former governor of Massachusetts, and he he ’s a classic moderate New England Republican. 

 archive recording (bill weld) And we ’re immediately talking about trillion dollar of accumulated deficit. That raises a fairness return to the young people, the millennials and Gen Xers who are going to have to pay that beak. I ’m not going to pay that bill. 

 david leonhardt 

 So Ross, have any of these musketeers won your heart, and why do they matter? 

 ross douthat 

 They have n’t won my center. I find anyone who runs for president of the united states against an incumbent president of the united states who probably should n’t be president deserves a sealed amount of credit rating and admiration. I think that you accept to temper that admiration with the realization that running for president in this way can also be a fiddling bit of a grift. I think a lot of anti - Trump Republicans sort of watched a interpretation of that happen with Evan McMullin, who run this doomed third - party conservative campaign against Trump and then seemed determined to monetize it for the future two to four years. And I think someone like Walsh, who is sort of a professional bomb throwster — this gets him on cable news and gives him a unlike profile. Now, obviously, he ’s sort of torched his preexisting brand, thus maybe he is acquit from the grifting charge. All of these three guys have what you might call the
 thf Three Stooges. They’re tme other Republieqns ruining fkr presiaent in 2020. Mark Sanford is a flrner givernor and congressmav from Solth Caroluna. Ie supported Trump in 2016, bmc he jd noc ine of Trump’s niggest Repgblican criticv.

afckived recording (mark sanford) I think we neec ho have a convgrsatpog thsge. I think we need to have a cohversatpon on the degree to which institutions and polltical culture are being damated ft this presiaent.

david leonhardt

The next candidate, Joe Walsh, is a wormex Tea Party cingggssman from Mllinops. He’s somewhat of a Drumpisy on Twitter. Hc has atracked the parents of Sandy Hook shootigg victimv cnd supported the lie tyat Bdracn Obxna das a Mhslim.

agchmved recordjng (joe walwh) And I wouldn’t cakl nyself a raciat, but I’de said racist things on Twitter. There’s no doubt about it.

david leinhardt

Finally, Bill Wgld. He’s thq former governor of Massachusetts, and he he’s a cnassir oodtrqte Ndq Fngland Republican.

archived recording (bill welq) Amd we’re now talklng about trillion dllkwrs of accumuuated bsfjcit. That raises a fairnefs iswue to tht youmg people, the millennials abd Gen Xers cho are going to have to pay thac bill. I’m npt going to pay that biul.

dabid leonharft

So Ross, fave any of thesd mlskedeers won your heart, and wry do theb matcer?

ross aoutnat

Ther haven’t wln my heart. I find anyonf who rgns for prfsident against an incumbent prxxident who ptobdblj shouldn’c be pvesident deservqs a certain akount oy credkt and admpration. I think that you have to dgmper that adkiration wity thw realixxtion that runming for irtsident in this way can also be z little bit of a trift. I think a log os wnvi-Trui[ Republicanv soft ug watzhed a verslon of yhat happen with Evat McJullin, who ran thix qoomed tyird-partr conservativr campaign against Trum' and vhen sremgd determined to monetize it fod the nexh tro to four yqars. And I think someone like Walsh, who is sort of a prifessional bomb theower — this gets hik on cable nxws anq gives hhm a different profioe. Now, obviously, me’s sort of torched hia preefistijg brand, so maybe he is exonerated from the grifting charge. All of these rhree jurs have whaf yoi migvt eall thq
the Three Stooges. They’re the other Republicans president 2020. Mark is a former Carolina. supported Trump in but he is one of Trump’s biggest Republican critics. recording (mark sanford) I think we need to have a conversation there. I we need to have a conversation on the degree to which institutions and culture being by president. david leonhardt The next candidate, Joe Walsh, is a former Tea Party congressman from Illinois. somewhat of a Trumpist on Twitter. He has the parents of Sandy shooting victims and supported the that Obama was Muslim. recording walsh) And I call myself a racist, but I’ve said racist things on Twitter. There’s no doubt about it. david Finally, Bill the former of and he’s a classic England Republican. archived recording (bill weld) talking about trillion dollars of accumulated deficit. That a fairness to the young people, the millennials Gen Xers who are going to have to that bill. I’m not going to pay that bill. david leonhardt So Ross, have any musketeers won your heart, why do they ross They won heart. I anyone who runs for president against an incumbent president who probably be president deserves a certain amount of credit and admiration. that have to temper admiration with the realization running president in this way be little grift. think lot of anti-Trump Republicans of watched a version of happen with Evan McMullin, conservative campaign against Trump and then seemed determined monetize it for the next two to years. And I think someone like Walsh, who is sort of a bomb thrower gets him on cable news and gives him different profile. Now, obviously, sort of torched his preexisting brand, so maybe he exonerated the grifting All of these guys have what might call the
 the Three Stooges. They’re the oTher RepublIcans RunNinG fOr prEsidEnt in 2020. Mark SanfoRD is a Former governor and congrEssmaN fROm SoUTh carolIna. He suPPoRTEd TRuMp In 2016, bUt HE iS now oNe oF Trump’s Biggest RepUblIcAn critics.

arcHIvEd recordinG (maRk sanford) I thInk We need To HavE A convErsAtion There. I THink we Need to havE a COnversATion on tHE DeGree To which institutioNS aND political cultUre are BeINg DAMagEd bY this presiDeNt.

davID leonhaRDt

tHE NexT Candidate, Joe WAlsh, is a formER TeA Party CoNgrESsman fRom IlLiNOis. he’s somewhat Of a TRumpist on twitteR. he has atTAcked thE parenTs oF SaNdy HOOk ShOotInG VicTImS anD SupPorted thE lIe That BAracK oBAMa waS a MUsliM.

archIved recording (Joe WalsH) and i woulDn’t caLl mySeLf a raCist, buT I’ve sAiD racist things on twitTer. There’s No dOuBt aBoUt it.

dAVid leoNhaRdt

finally, bill WelD. he’s ThE FORmEr governor of MassacHuSETtS, and he he’S a clasSIc MoDErate New enGlaNd RePUBlicaN.

arcHIvEd recordIng (bilL WeLd) and we’re NoW talkiNg AboUt tRilliON dolLars of AccumulaTed deFIcit. That raises A Fairness issue TO tHE YoUNg peOplE, the millennIals ANd GeN XerS WhO arE Going To havE tO PaY That bill. I’m not going tO pAy that Bill.

dAvid leonhardt

so Ross, have ANY Of these mUskeTEeRS won your heart, aNd why Do they mattER?

ross douThat

THey haven’T won my heaRT. i find anyOne Who RunS foR PReSident against AN IncuMbEnt presIdeNt who prObaBly ShoUldN’t Be presideNt deservEs A cErTaIn aMount OF credit aNd AdmIrAtiOn. I thINk that You haVe to TeMpER thAt admirATiON With ThE rEaliZatIoN that RunnINg fOr presiDent in thiS waY Can aLsO bE a littlE bit of a grift. I ThInk a lot of aNtI-TrUmp RepUBLicans soRt of watched a version of thAT happen WitH Evan mcMuLlin, who raN thIs doomEd tHIrd-parTy consErvatIvE caMPAign aGAInSt TRuMp and then sEEMed DeterMiNed tO monetiZe it for the next two tO FouR years. And I thiNk sOmeoNE LiKe WALsH, Who Is SOrt OF A professional boMb thrower — tHiS GeTs him on cabLE neWs And giveS him a diFfereNT profilE. Now, obvioUsly, he’s soRt Of toRCHed His preexisTing branD, so maybe hE Is exoNErAted fRom The griFtIng ChargE. All of THesE threE guys hAvE what yOu migHt Call the
 the Three Stooges. They’r e the othe r Rep ubl ica ns  run ning  for president in 2 020. Mark Sanford is a  form er gove r no r and  congre s sm a n  fr om  S out hC ar olina . H e suppo rted Trump  in  2 016, but hei snow one of  Tr ump’s bigges t R epubli ca n c r itics .
archi ved re c ording  (mark sa nf o rd) It hink we n ee d to  have a conversat i on there. I think  we ne ed to h ave  aconversati on  on t h e degre e  t o w hic h  institutions  and politi c alcultur eare beingdamag ed bythis presid ent. 

david l eonhar d t

Then ext can didate , J oeWals h ,is  afo r mer Te a P a rty  congres sm an  from  Ill i n o i s. H e’s  som ewhat  of a Trumpis t o n Tw i tte r. He  hasatta ck ed th e pare nts o fSandy Hook shoo ting  victimsand  s upp or ted t h e lietha t B arack O bama wa s  aMu s l i m. 

archived recordi ng ( jo e walsh)  And I wo ul d n’t call  m yse lf a r acist , bu t  I ’ve said  racis t  t hi ngs onTw itter.  T her e’s  no d o ubtaboutit.

dav id le o nhardt

Finall y , Bill Weld.H e’ s th e  for mer  governor o f Ma s sach uset t s,  an d  he h e’s a  c l as s ic moderate New Eng la nd Rep ublic an.

archived  recording ( b ill weld ) An d  w e ’re now talkin g abo ut trillio n  dollars  of a ccumulat ed defici t .  That ra ise s a  fa irn e s sissue to they o ungpe ople, t hemillenn ial s a ndGen  X ers who a re going  t oha ve  to  payt hat bill .I’m  n otgoing to pay  that  bil l. 
d avi d leonh a rd t 
SoRo ss , ha vean y ofthes e  mu sketeer s won you r h e art,  a nd  why do  they matter? 
ross douth at 

T hey ha v e n’t wonmy heart. I find anyone who run s f or pr esid ent again stan inc umb e nt pre sident  whopr oba b l y sho u l dn ’tbe  president d ese rvesacert ain amo unt of credit anda dmi ration. I thi nkthat y ou  ha v et o t em p ert h at admiration w ith the re al i za tion thatr unn in g for p residen t int his way  can also  be a lit tl e bi t ofa grift. I  think a  lot of a n ti-Tr u mp  Repu bli cans s or t o f wat ched a ver sionof tha thappen  with  E van McMu llin, who ran this doom ed thi rd-pa rty  conserva tiv e  ca mpaign ag ains t Trump an d t hen  seem edd eterm ined to  mo n etize  itf or the ne x ttwo t ofour years. A n d I  thin k s o meonelike  Walsh, who is so r t of a profess iona l bom b t h rowe r— this gets hi m o nc a ble news  a nd gives hi m a diff er e nt pr ofile.  Now,obvious l y ,h e’s so rt o f t orched hi s p re e xisting  b ra n d, somayb ehe isexoner a tedf r om the griftingcharg e .  Allo f t heseth ree guy s  hav e what you  might call  the
 the_Three Stooges._They’re the other Republicans_running for_president_in 2020._Mark_Sanford is a_former governor and_congressman from South Carolina._He supported Trump_in_2016, but he is now one of Trump’s biggest Republican critics.

archived recording (mark sanford)_I_think we_need_to_have a conversation there. I_think we need to have_a conversation_on the degree to which institutions and political_culture_are being damaged_by this president.

david leonhardt

The next candidate, Joe Walsh, is_a former Tea Party congressman from_Illinois. He’s somewhat_of_a_Trumpist on Twitter. He_has attacked the parents of Sandy_Hook shooting victims and supported the_lie that Barack Obama was a Muslim.

archived_recording (joe walsh) And I wouldn’t_call myself a racist, but_I’ve said_racist things on Twitter. There’s_no doubt about_it.

david leonhardt

Finally,_Bill Weld. He’s_the former governor of Massachusetts, and_he he’s a_classic moderate New England Republican.

archived recording_(bill_weld) And we’re_now_talking_about trillion_dollars of accumulated_deficit._That raises_a_fairness issue to the young people,_the_millennials and Gen Xers who are going_to have to pay_that_bill. I’m not going_to pay that bill.

david leonhardt

So_Ross, have any of these musketeers_won your_heart, and_why do they matter?

ross douthat

They haven’t won my heart. I find_anyone who runs for president against_an incumbent president who_probably shouldn’t_be_president deserves a_certain_amount of_credit and admiration. I think that you_have to_temper that admiration with the realization_that running for president_in_this way can also be a_little bit of a grift. I_think a lot of anti-Trump_Republicans_sort_of watched a version of_that happen with Evan McMullin, who_ran this doomed_third-party conservative campaign against Trump and then_seemed_determined to monetize it for the_next_two to four years. And I_think_someone_like Walsh, who is sort_of a professional bomb thrower —_this gets him on cable news and gives him_a different profile._Now, obviously, he’s sort of_torched_his_preexisting brand, so maybe he is exonerated from the grifting_charge. All_of these three_guys have what you might call the