If we achieve new elections then great, it seems like there are pro-constitution conservatives in his basket, but I would be careful about installing a new regime with their help because it isn't always a better regime.

On the other hand, the enemy of my enemy is my friend

Maxim 29: The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy. No more. No less.

That doesn't mean you can't work with them on a common cause, and maybe even show them the benefits of your way if thinking, but don't get caught out when they turn on you.

Proof that they only scream when they are getting stabbed themselves.

If folks can somehow retain one and only one thing if we get through all this without civil war:

R wants power, and they want to hurt anyone who doesn't fit a fairly narrow demographic. That's all they have ever wanted, and every policy or position out of R in the past many years is all the proof you need.

When R gets power they start breaking shit and hurting people. It's the only outcome of modern conservatism. And when they say "enough is enough" it's ONLY because the policies they supported and cheered for finally start to blow back on them.

IF we make it through this folks, DO NOT FORGET. Don't vote R ever again, not for the lowliest local position, not for the highest position. Not for any position. I'm in my 50s and I'm telling you all that hate and control over those not like them are the only things from Republican mouths in as long as I've been old enough to pay attention. How polite they are about it has waxed and waned, but the direction they push for has always been the same.

(and don't come at me with some shitty whataboutism - D sucks in their own way as a group, but that way is not this way)

Edited to add -

I'm telling you all that hate and control over those not like them are the only things from Republican mouths in as long as I've been old enough to pay attention. How polite they are about it has waxed and waned, but the direction they push for has always been the same.

This is so true that they tried to convince people it wasn't true with a targeted rebranding in the 90s. I don't think anyone bought it even then. Compassionate Conservatism

he did call out the lies about the Iraq war, he just placed the blame on Rumsfeld and Cheney

but he has called it a mistake many times

I think Brooks is a complicated figure but one to pay attention to, even if you don't like his conservative stance

To he fair to Brooks (which I hate to do, since he is a shithead), he was very aware of the dangers of Trump and endorsed Hillary, Biden, and Kamala in the last three elections. He has even said that he was wrong about Bernie, and now acknowledges that his kind of economic populism is the only thing that could have stopped Trump's fascist populism. That being said, he's spent the last three decades promoting the kind of Regan-style neoliberalism and Bush-style imperialism that got us into this mess, so fuck him.

We will need less insane conservatives on our side to correct this big orange mistake, so let's not fuck him for the moment.

In this case, you're quite obviously "barking under the wrong tree". Some people who call themselves conservative or moderate are quite capable of predicting what may happen.

Regarding the 2016 election, Brooks spoke in support of Hillary Clinton, applauding her ability to be "competent" and "normal" in comparison to her Republican counterpart, Donald Trump.[67][68] In addition, Brooks noted that he believed Clinton would eventually be victorious in the election, as he foresaw that the general American public would become "sick of" Trump.[67][68]

On the August 9, 2019, episode of the PBS NewsHour, Brooks suggested Trump may be a sociopath.

Not a secret, lifted from his Wikipedia page.

I would always advise checking a person's background before saying things about them.

When we need to unite against a literal fascist, I'll gladly stand with conservatives with whom I have serious policy disagreements. Telling them to fuck off will just strengthen Trump's hold.

Once we've finished the fight against the MAGA cult, we can debate each other about policy without worrying about anyone getting disappeared.

He is an honest person, but has had a lifetime of being honestly wrong about almost everything. Even with the mea culpas, he still apportions the blame for our current situation completely inappropriately. That said, I agree we are not in a position to turn away imperfect allies and I applaud him for trying to do something with whatever miniscule influence he retains.

When people say "you used to be able to have honest debate with the other side," David is the only one who in my lifetime that may have been true for.

He’s one of the very few conservatives I feel respect for. I may not agree with his takes but believe that he is thoughtful, honest, and filled with integrity. His opinions are reasoned and rational. Wish he were a progressive, we’d think of him like Bernie.

If that is all true and it's a genuine change of heart, I would hug him and welcome as a friend. I hope it is. But it's so easy to play pretend, and the dangers are very real.

I agree that he's been an enabler, but you know what they say : the convert is more zealous than the person who grew up in the church.

Just rejoice that you have cons pushing for it. Don't look your gift horse in the mouth and complain its teeth aren't perfect.

Anyone calling for revolution/revolt in America is a good guy right now. -Canada