The Republican National Convention featured a wide variety of dramatic events and speakers. For a party often branded by the opposition as primarily white and Christian, perhaps even stodgy and old, the convention showcased many who would previously have been considered outsiders.
Among the biggest events of the convention was the announcement of J. D. Vance, 39-year-old junior senator from Ohio, as Trump’s vice presidential candidate. Before he ran for office, he was a bestselling author. His memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” tells the story of his upbringing in rural Ohio and Kentucky, as well as the abuse he endured, the impact of addiction on his family, and how much he overcame to get to the position he is in now. He’s an ex-Marine, the first veteran on a presidential ticket since 2008, and went to Yale Law School. His wife Usha is Indian-American.
While a younger man with a blue-collar background, a multi-racial marriage, and a populist “for the working man” tone is a pivot away from the GOP of previous years, one thing seems clear for Texas: Neither Trump nor Vance have our best interests at the top of their list. All of the “unity” and “we’re here for you” rhetoric sounds nice, but will it translate into policies that will shrink the size of the federal Government? Will state autonomy increase? Will either of these men tolerate or facilitate a peaceful separation from the union? There are some reasons for conservatives to be hopeful about a Trump/Vance ticket, but don’t lose sight of the fact that this hope doesn’t extend very far. Texas independence is still far better!
In a fun twist, wrestler Hulk Hogan pumped up the crowd with a speech that is exactly what you’d expect from him. With many “brother” references, Hogan promised that “Trumpmania” would be a force to be reckoned with. In another classic Hogan move, he ripped off his shirt to reveal a Trump/Vance shirt underneath. It’s always fun to get a crowd pumped up, and Hulk Hogan is a professional hype man. Too bad the hype won’t live up to reality, and too bad the hype is out of focus. When will the people of Texas get fired up about Texas first? When will a public figure take a stand and hype up a crowd in our favor? We’re not there yet.
Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, gave a speech at the convention. His speech focused largely on border security and immigration, two issues that are close to the heart of many Texans. True to his Republican roots, Abbott criticized the Biden administration for reversing Trump’s border policy and for overall mishandling border security. Abbott took credit for Texas’ holding the line with increased razor wire, troop deployment, and with the bussing of immigrants to sanctuary cities. What he didn’t say was that he could have done these things at any time in his tenure but instead waited until they were politically expedient. What he didn’t say was that an independent Texas will set its own border policy, and that we won’t be bound by whichever party’s leader fills the White House.
Finally, the highlight of the convention was a fiery speech by Donald Trump himself. For over an hour, Trump varied from contemplative to authoritative, from rambling to focused, from red meat slogans to actual policy propositions. There were definitely some quotable moments:
“I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America. Because there is no victory in winning for half of America.”
“The discord and division in our society must be healed and healed quickly.”
“There was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” Trump said. ” … I’m not supposed to be here tonight. … I’m not and I stand before you in this arena by the grace of almighty God.”
“In an age where our politics divide us, now is the time to remember that we are all citizens, we are one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. And we must not criminalize dissent or demonize political disagreement, which is what’s been happening in our country,”
Distinctly not mentioned was Texas.
No matter who wins the presidential election, the government wins. There’s nobody looking out for Texas interests, nobody fighting for Texas first, and a precious few who will take a stand for our values and culture. To be sure, for many in Texas, the thought of a Trump presidency is encouraging, but will it shrink the deficit? Will it dismantle the bureaucratic regulatory state? Will it increase state autonomy? Will a Trump presidency allow Texas to be free and independent? I don’t see how a Trump presidency makes any of these things more likely.
As we move through this election season, when everything is hype and bluster when critical events are coming faster than we can react, don’t lose sight of the ultimate goal: A free and independent Texas.
