Smashmouth incrementalism and the Trump train, July 24, 2024. Introduction. The last month has seen a number of remarkable and momentous events.

We may begin with Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance, the pressure on him to step down,

and the palace intrigue that resulted in him bowing out of the race, but not stepping

down from the presidency and then topped off by his weird disappearance and reappearance.

And then on the other side, the close call near assassination of Donald Trump and his triumphant fist in the air,

followed by the Republican platform backing away from its longstanding commitment to life,

followed hard by the selection of J.D. Vance for Veep.

This last point was heartening in a lot of ways, but disheartening because Vance apparently softened his

pro-life stand in order to qualify for the slot when he clearly knows better.

This brings in with a sickening but not surprising

thud the realization that in this Trump transformed Republican Party commitment to life is not a

principle but rather has become a bargaining chip.

With all of that said and especially in the light of some of the harder things I'm going to be saying

down below in just a minute, my plan is still to vote for Trump fans in November and I'm going to do this cheerfully

without a qualm and I'm going to do this for the sake of continuing the fight for life.

That vote will be in line with and will be a good example of what I've been calling Smash Mouth incrementalism.

I do understand that a jibe will be coming my way.

It looks like your incrementalism is sliding in the wrong direction, pal. Well, yes, and yet also no.

It is absolutely moving the wrong way when it comes to the new and improved Republican Party,

once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But when it comes to the battlefield at large,

there's still a lot of opportunity for intelligent advance.

In the meantime, I would urge everyone to stay engaged with on-the-ground pro-life ministry.

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