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Tucker Carlson 2024? The GOP is buzzing

  
Via:  Vic Eldred  •  4 years ago  •  41 comments

By:   POLITICO

Tucker Carlson 2024? The GOP is buzzing
"The angry children you watched set fire to Wendy's and topple statues and scream at you on television day after day are truly and utterly stupid," he said on his show last week. And he has repeatedly pushed back on the idea that racism is systemic in the country. "Overall, this is the least racist country in the history of the world," he said a few days earlier. "Millions of Africans want to move here. Many already have. Our last president was black. What are you talking about?"

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S E E D E D   C O N T E N T



Tucker Carlson's audience is booming — and so is chatter that the popular Fox News host will parlay his TV perch into a run for president in 2024.

Republican strategists, conservative commentators, and former Trump campaign and administration officials are buzzing about Carlson as the next-generation leader of Donald Trump's movement — with many believing he would be an immediate frontrunner in a Republican primary.

"He's a talented communicator with a massive platform. I think if he runs he'd be formidable," said Luke Thompson, a Republican strategist who worked for Jeb Bush's super PAC in 2016.

While practically every Republican eyeing a 2024 presidential run is professing loyalty to Trump the person, Carlson has become perhaps the highest-profile proponent of "Trumpism" — a blend of anti-immigrant nationalism, economic populism and America First isolationism that he articulates unapologetically and with some snark. At the same time, he's shown a rare willingness among Republicans to bluntly criticize Trump when he believes the president is straying from that ideology.

In another twist, Carlson has established a friendship with Donald Trump, Jr., according to a source familiar with their relationship. Trump Jr. has drawn his own share of presidential buzz.

"Tucker Carlson Tonight" is currently the most watched cable news program in history, according to the second quarter ratings released this week. And on Fox News' YouTube channel, Carlson's segments from the past quarter have drawn well over 60 million views and are among the most popular videos in the eight years since the network began posting on the platform.

His popularity with the base would instigate a debate over the future of the party — essentially whether Trump was an aberration or a party-realigning disrupter — a fight that will be all the fiercer if Trump loses in November.

"Let me put it this way: If Biden wins and Tucker decided to run, he'd be the nominee," said Sam Nunberg, a former top political aide to Trump who knows Carlson. But Nunberg said he doesn't believe Carlson will run because "he's so disgusted with politicians."

Sixteen prominent Republicans interviewed by POLITICO said there's an emerging consensus in the GOP that the 51-year-old Carlson would be formidable if he were to run. Some strategists aligned with other potential candidates are convinced he will enter the race and detect the outlines of a stump speech in Carlson's recent Fox monologues. Others, particularly those who know him well, are skeptical that he would leave his prime-time TV gig.

Carlson and Fox News declined to comment.

Rich Lowry, editor of the conservative National Review and author of "The Case for Nationalism," said in an interview, "No one can dismiss this and say it's completely implausible."

"There is at the very least a significant faction within the Republican Party that [Carlson] has a huge stake in and arguably leadership over," Lowry, who writes a column for POLITICO, said. "If he has political ambitions, he has an opening. He has a following and a taste for controversy. He's smart, quick on his feet and personable. Political experience matters less than it once did."

Carlson has never run for office and has been dismissive of doing so in the past. In 2012, Nunberg said Republican operative Roger Stone unsuccessfully pushed Carlson to run on the Libertarian ticket. Stone told POLITICO in an email that "[i]t is not inconceivable that I may have raised it in jest or in passing as repartee, but have no memory of that."

On his show, Carlson has made it abundantly clear that he thinks Trump's election in 2016 was not a freak accident. Instead, he views it as a righteous repudiation of a morally bankrupt Republican Party that had become obsessed with capital gains tax cuts and foreign wars. This week, he warned his viewers to watch out for "vultures [who] wait just off stage to swoop in and claim the GOP for themselves once Donald Trump is gone," name-checking likely 2024 candidate Nikki Haley.

"The moment Trump leaves, they will attack him," he said. "They'll tell you that 'Republicans lost power because they were mean and intolerant just like Donald Trump.' ... It's a lie."

It is just one of many exhortations from the past month that have propelled Carlson to new popularity among the GOP base. As Republicans across the country and in Congress have expressed newfound openness to reforming the police and taking down Confederate monuments in the wake of protests, Carlson has denounced the Black Lives Matter movement and derided Republicans who have gone along with it.

"This may be a lot of things, this moment we are living through. But it is definitely not about black lives, and remember that when they come for you," Mr. Carlson said in one 25-minute monologue on June 8 that has over 5.4 million views on YouTube. That lost him high-profile advertisers, including Disney, Papa John's and T-Mobile, whose chief executive tweeted, "Bye-bye."

Carlson faced a similar advertiser exodus in 2018 after saying that immigrants make "our own country poorer and dirtier and more divided."

Carlson emerged from the backlash apparently unchastened.

"The angry children you watched set fire to Wendy's and topple statues and scream at you on television day after day are truly and utterly stupid," he said on his show last week. And he has repeatedly pushed back on the idea that racism is systemic in the country. "Overall, this is the least racist country in the history of the world," he said a few days earlier. "Millions of Africans want to move here. Many already have. Our last president was black. What are you talking about?"

His audience has rewarded him with blockbuster ratings.

"What he's been saying speaks for a lot of people, and it's basically not expressed or serviced by most Republican politicians," Lowry said. "There's a lot to be said for being fearless, and he is, while Republican politicians, as a breed, are not."

Carlson has also earned powerful enemies in the party for his regular missives aimed at lawmakers and power brokers — attacks that he has kept up for the past month.

After Haley said the killing of George Floyd "needs to be personal and painful for everyone" in order for the country to heal, Carlson said, "What Nikki Haley does best is moral blackmail." A Haley spokesperson declined to respond.

When Republican Sens. Ron Johnson and James Lankford this week proposed making Juneteenth a national holiday and doing away with Columbus Day in order to keep the number of national holidays the same, Tucker mocked the effort. "They describe themselves as conservatives, as improbable as that may seem," he said.

Carlson painted with a wider brush this week, saying Republican Party leaders' "so-called principles turned out to be bumper stickers they wrote 40 years ago." In a sentiment that drew praise from some conservatives and liberals alike, he added that, "Instead of improving the lives of their voters, the party feeds them a steady diet of mindless, symbolic victories — partisan junk food designed to make them feel full even as they waste away." Carlson apologized, to "the extent this show has participated in it."

Carlson even tore into Trump's top aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner. "No one has more contempt for Donald Trump's voters than Jared Kushner does, and no one expresses it more frequently," he said last month. He blamed Kushner for moderating the president on immigration, law enforcement and foreign policy.

The Kushner-bashing made some Trump-aligned Republicans wary of praising Carlson on the record. But several are bullish about a potential candidacy.

"I think everybody views Pence the same: What a great guy. But I don't think anybody thinks he's the force of nature that it takes to win the presidency," said one former White House official. "I think Day One, Tucker probably starts ahead of those people if he does run."

A Republican strategist close to the White House added: "If you are a Republican politician and you want to know where Republican voters are, all you have to do is watch Tucker Carlson every night."


Article is LOCKED by author/seeder
 

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Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1  seeder  Vic Eldred    4 years ago

Alex Thompson (POLITICO)......hum?

I think he is on to something


A Republican strategist close to the White House added: "If you are a Republican politician and you want to know where Republican voters are, all you have to do is watch Tucker Carlson every night."



 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
2  JohnRussell    4 years ago

Are you trying to tell us he will inherit the 35% of Americans who make up Trumpism's base? 

There are literally dozens of clips of Tucker Carlson saying things that the majority of American voters would never accept. His show has been boycotted by advertisers numerous times because of things he has said. That tells us all we need to know. 

If the Republicans want to nominate another demagogue, that's their problem. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @2    4 years ago
Are you trying to tell us he will inherit the 35% of Americans who make up Trumpism's base? 

Carlson would be a much different politician. He is a man of ideas.He might be the man for 2024


There are literally dozens of clips of Tucker Carlson saying things that the majority of American voters would never accept. 

No John, most Americans are not progressives!


His show has been boycotted by advertisers numerous times because of things he has said. 

His show's sponsors have been pressured by powerful leftist organizations, who don't like what he says. They have failed to silence him.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
2.1.1  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1    4 years ago

Tucker Carlson's political philosophy is a slightly watered down version of white nationalism. His ilk is fading away as America moves into the future. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.3  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @2.1.1    4 years ago

Smearing people and calling people racist is the calling card of the radical left. The future belongs to decent Americans. 

I'm sure you neither read the article or a familiar with what Carlson has been doing.

 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
2.1.4  Dulay  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1    4 years ago
Carlson would be a much different politician.

Then he isn't Trump 2.0? 

He is a man of ideas.

Which implies that Trump isn't. Glad you've finally come to that conclusion. 

He might be the man for 2024

Oh please DO nominate Tucker "Squint" Carlson. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.5  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Dulay @2.1.4    4 years ago
Then he isn't Trump 2.0? 

The difference is striking, is it not?


Which implies that Trump isn't. 

Trump is a man of conviction. Carlson the man of idea's. As much as the left hated Trump, it is Carlson who is their real enemy!


Oh please DO 

It's out of my hands. There is only so much I can do.

 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
2.1.7  Dulay  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.5    4 years ago
The difference is striking, is it not?

Nope. TV personalities who takes credit for the ideas that they are desperate to pretend are original and unique. Check. 

TV personality who refuses to take responsibility for the disgusting crap they say. Check. 

Trump is a man of conviction.

jrSmiley_10_smiley_image.gif

Carlson the man of idea's.

Old worn out ideas that didn't work the last 20 times they were tried. 

As much as the left hated Trump, it is Carlson who is their real enemy!

Carlson's most recent claim to fame is that he was the one that got Trump to "take the coronavirus seriously". Judging from the results of THAT 'success', Carlson isn't much of an adversary. 

 
 
 
Paula Bartholomew
Professor Participates
2.1.8  Paula Bartholomew  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1    4 years ago

Hannity thinks he can't be silenced either.  Oh wait, he just got canned.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.9  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Dulay @2.1.7    4 years ago
Nope

Oh Yes!

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.10  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Paula Bartholomew @2.1.8    4 years ago
Oh wait, he just got canned.

Hannity got canned?  That would be front page news.

Where did you see that?

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.1.11  Texan1211  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.10    4 years ago

Dreamt it up.

 
 
 
GaJenn78
Sophomore Silent
2.1.12  GaJenn78  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.10    4 years ago

It was Ed Henry that got fired. He was the "left" voice on FNF on the weekends and then took over Bill Hemmers spot at 9am. Actually really surprised his firing hasn't been broadcasted here yet.

 
 
 
bugsy
Professor Participates
2.1.13  bugsy  replied to  Dulay @2.1.7    4 years ago
Old worn out ideas that didn't work the last 20 times they were tried. 

Just like socialism that the left is trying to bring to the US. But they persist.

 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
2.1.14  Dulay  replied to  bugsy @2.1.13    4 years ago
Just like socialism that the left is trying to bring to the US. But they persist.

So you're not impress with Carlson either...

 
 
 
bugsy
Professor Participates
2.1.15  bugsy  replied to  Dulay @2.1.14    4 years ago

I like him as a commentator because he is rarely wrong, but don't look at him as a politician.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.16  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  GaJenn78 @2.1.12    4 years ago

I know.

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
3  JBB    4 years ago

The gop is already grasping for their next leaders...

Because they know Trump is going down in defeat!

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.1  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  JBB @3    4 years ago
The gop is already grasping for their next leaders...

In the natural order of things it would be Mike Pence, but as anyone knows who has listened to Tucker Carlson, there is the mix of polish & passion that people want in the person they elect an individual to the Presidency.


Because they know Trump is going down in defeat!

You keep telling yourself that. BTW the article is related to 2024 not 2020.

 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
3.1.1  Dulay  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.1    4 years ago
BTW the article is related to 2024 not 2020.

Since it's predicated by "if Biden wins" is sure as hell is related to 2020. 

BTW, your seeds reliance on the machinations of the likes of Luke Thompson and Sam Nunberg calls the quality of it's sources of 'GOP buzz' into question.  

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.1.2  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Dulay @3.1.1    4 years ago
Since it's predicated by "if Biden wins"

No it isn't. If Carlson runs in 2024, he runs regardless of who wins. He would top off 8 years of a Trump Presidency perfectly!



BTW, your seeds reliance on the machinations of the likes of Luke Thompson and Sam Nunberg calls the quality of it's sources of 'GOP buzz' into question.  

Wha?

 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
3.1.3  Dulay  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.1.2    4 years ago
No it isn't . If Carlson runs in 2024, he runs regardless of who wins. He would top off 8 years of a Trump Presidency perfectly!

From your seed:

"Let me put it this way: If Biden wins and Tucker decided to run, he'd be the nominee," said Sam Nunberg, a former top political aide to Trump who knows Carlson.

jrSmiley_84_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.1.4  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Dulay @3.1.3    4 years ago

And if Trump won, he could easily still be the nominee in 2024.

Carlson hasn't even said a thing about running. He hasn't predicated it on anything!


 
 
 
Dulay
Professor Expert
3.1.5  Dulay  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.1.4    4 years ago
Carlson hasn't even said a thing about running. He hasn't predicated it on anything!

Reading is fundamental Vic. I didn't say Carlson predicated anything. Just stop. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.1.6  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Dulay @3.1.5    4 years ago
Reading is fundamental Vic.

It sure is - and I know your'e reading it. You just get it wrong, every time!

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
4  Greg Jones    4 years ago

No matter who wins this November, the US of A will be ready for Nikki Haley to become the first female president.

Tucker Carlson would be an excellent choice for VP.

The way it looks now, Biden doesn't;t have much of a chance, since literally no one considers him to have leadership qualities.

He and the Democrats have presented no plan or agenda of ending the pandemic beyond what has already been done by Trump.

The public is not buying the reality of a race war that the left keeps fanning the flames of

However, they have given the wary ample evidence of how they will ruin the economy and the country if they gain complete control.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
4.1  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Greg Jones @4    4 years ago

What do you like most about Haley?

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
4.1.1  Greg Jones  replied to  Vic Eldred @4.1    4 years ago

From what I have seen and heard, I am the most impressed by her intelligence and confidence in herself and her views.

Very well spoken, tells it like it is, not easily intimidated or awed by the likes of Putin  and able to hold her own with the bad guys in power.

She is a complete turnaround from Hillary, and the Dems have no one who can fill her shoes, male or female.

At any rate, and just to sure, the Repubs have got to retain control of the Senate.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
4.1.2  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Greg Jones @4.1.1    4 years ago

I think we would have to know a bit more about where she stands on domestic issues. I also think she is really thinking about a run in 2024.


At any rate, and just to sure, the Repubs have got to retain control of the Senate.

Absolutely! If they loose the Senate - America becomes Chaz!

 
 
 
Account Deleted
Freshman Silent
5  Account Deleted    4 years ago

Well I'm sure he could get a 33  1/3 % approval rating.

 
 
 
Gsquared
Professor Principal
6  Gsquared    4 years ago

The Republican Party seems to have an almost endless supply of brain dead reactionary media "stars" to run for office.  Very Hollywood.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
6.1  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Gsquared @6    4 years ago

And all the democrats have is one brain dead vessel and a gang of hate-filled radicals.

 
 
 
Gsquared
Professor Principal
6.1.1  Gsquared  replied to  Vic Eldred @6.1    4 years ago

And all the democrats have is one brain dead vessel and a gang of hate-filled radicals.

Not on this planet.  Interesting, though, that you find the majority of American voters to be "hate-filled radicals".  

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
6.1.2  The Magic 8 Ball  replied to  Gsquared @6.1.1    4 years ago
that you find the majority of American voters to be "hate-filled radicals"

 most people are kinds stupid.... which is why most people voted for hillary

thank god this country is not a democracy or we would be seriously screwed.

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
6.1.3  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  Vic Eldred @6.1    4 years ago
And all the democrats have

are the majority of hard working tax paying Americans. Another term for a "Never-Trumper" is "Sane American".

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
6.1.4  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Gsquared @6.1.1    4 years ago
the majority

When did 20% equal a majority?

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
6.1.5  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @6.1.2    4 years ago
most people are kinds stupid.... which is why most people voted for hillary

Most were in CA, didn't know much about Hillary and were simply voting (D)

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
6.1.6  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @6.1.3    4 years ago

[deleted]

 
 
 
The Magic 8 Ball
Masters Quiet
7  The Magic 8 Ball    4 years ago
Tucker Carlson 2024?

not a chance... LOL

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
7.1  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  The Magic 8 Ball @7    4 years ago
Another term for a "Never-Trumper" is "Sane American".

It's a thought in the minds of at least one progressive over at POLITICO.  Not a bad one, though Carlson may not go along.

 
 

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