Never Again?

I’m proud of the accomplishments [during the Trump administration] – of the tax reform, the deregulation and criminal justice reform – I’m really excited about the judges we got on the bench, not just the Supreme Court, but throughout the judiciary. But I am a Never-Again Trumper. Why? Because I want to win, and we lose with Trump. It was really clear to us in ’18, in ‘20 and now in 2022.

Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House, Republican 

What utter bullshit. There are people who say "never again," but the folks I am thinking of actually mean it. Sure, Ryan thinks his party loses with Trump and the evidence is on his side. It stands to reason that he'd prefer another nominee. But "never" is a long time. Certainly, it exceeds beyond the primary season.

When Ryan says "never again Trump," does he "as our nominee?" Or does he mean "in office?" Because, without any further words, "never again" means "never again." As in "ever." Which sounds very dramatic. It sounds powerful. It sounds noble, coming from a life-long Republican who rose to the highest office in one branch of the federal government. Kind of inspiring and worthy of a little respect.

Except that it is utter bullshit, because Ryan will vote for whomever the Republicans nominate, rather than for whomever the Democrats nominate, even if the Republicans nominate Donald Trump.

Reporters are lazy, often timid. One of them needs to rise up and put the question to Paul Ryan: When you say "never again Trump," does that mean you will vote for Joe Biden in 2024 if Trump is the Republican nominee? A true Never-Again Trumper would give the truly noble answer. Ryan would probably say, "I'm focused on making sure he isn't the nominee," to avoid answering the question (and to leave his options open, when his feeble influence fails to achieve what he's focused on).

Don't be fooled. Don't think he's noble. "Never again" means something. Just not to Paul Ryan.