It's not about Trump or Haley, it's about Congress.

It’s crazy to me that just a few years ago, I could barely read, and now, since 2022, I have been published nationally 15 times. My latest article at The Hill was released Sunday at 8 AM. Considering all the political shows on Sunday morning, I was pretty excited because I thought it was a good time slot. My hope was it would get a lot of buzz. 

I was right, but not for the reasons I wanted. My Article is titled With Trump on the decline, the GOP should follow Nikki Haley’s lead. For the record, I did not write the headline. I was immediately hit with comments and messages from Trump and Never Trump supporters criticizing the article. Strangely, I was able to upset two groups who find themselves opposed to each other. 

The negativity poured in, not just on X but also on other social media platforms. It’s funny the lengths someone will go to say something negative and then make sure you hear it. People found me on Instagram and Facebook so they could send me the same private messages they posted on X. Positivity is rarely that ambitious. 

I wasn’t bothered by it; by now, I am used to it and sometimes find it amusing. Especially when most of the comments revealed that they had only read the headline and not the article. I mean why should I care what someone thinks when they didn’t take the time to think about it before speaking? It was just a bunch of people judging me and what I believed based on very limited information. I was accused of working for the deep state and corporate media and being a Trump shill. However, I am none of those things. I am an average American Dad who, like many Americans, is unrepresented.

What the Trump supporters and the Never Trump coalition are missing is the article isn’t about Trump at all. While he is discussed, the article is about the political reality in which conservative Republicans find themselves. Both of those groups are not fans of Harris and the Democrat’s very progressive agenda. And because Trump sucks all the air out of the room, there isn’t enough support to cover down-ballot Republicans to secure Congress as a check against the Harris administration. My suggestion is that Mike Johnson and Nikki Haley work together and focus on Congressional races, which benefit both the Trump and Never Trump crowds.

Unfortunately, in the hyper-partisan times we live in, one cannot criticize the golden calf without taking some heat. Admitting he isn’t perfect reveals the aluminum spray-painted gold that covers his flaws. On the other hand, most of the Never Trump crowd can’t stand the idea of supporting anyone who would support Trump.

Politics is about addition. To win, one must build a bigger coalition than the other side by persuading new voters into their faction. The litmus test instituted by both factions shuts out productive debate. When factions wall themselves in, they limit their growth and opportunity for victory. 

If you are tired of all the negativity and want to do something to help, I suggest becoming ambitious about positivity. If you hear or read something you support, go out of your way to ensure it is heard.

We need fewer idols and more representation. We need to focus less on the President and more on Congress. You can help by becoming a paid subscriber to Politics and Parenting, helping me grow my faction, and educating and persuading voters to make sensible, positive changes.

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh