The Rest Is Politics: Leading 88. Bush and Iraq, being J.D. Vance’s boss, and why Trump loses (David Frum)
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Aug 4, 2024 
David Frum, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush and renowned political commentator, shares insights about his time with Bush and the complexities of contemporary politics. He examines the intriguing relationship between Trump and J.D. Vance, wondering about the implications of a Vance vice presidency. Frum also reflects on the challenges women face in politics and the potential fallout of Trump's protectionist policies. He intertwines personal stories of grief with discussions on foreign policy and the evolving nature of American political identity.
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Bush's Unfiltered Humor At A Los Angeles Fundraiser
- David Frum recounts George W. Bush joking at a 2017 LA fundraiser, leaning into the mic and saying, so you like me now, you motherfuckers.
- Frum uses the story to show Bush's irreverent, dangerously funny personality even after office.
Core Conservative Principles Versus Trumpist Reaction
- Frum says enduring conservative principles remain collective security, markets, free trade, and US-led alliances even as party coalitions shift.
- He argues Trumpism is a reactionary, small-central-European style authoritarianism alien to traditional American conservatism.
Trump's Pessimism Appeals To Projecting Decline
- Frum frames Trump as selling national pessimism, treating America like a humiliated small state rather than a successful global power.
- He links that pessimism to older voters projecting personal decline onto national decline, explaining Trump's appeal.