Ron Johnson Read the Wrong Speech and No One's Surprised

Ron Johnson. Some say he's nobody's fool. I say he's everybody's fool.

He did it again at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, of all places. He said he read the wrong speech.

I have a number of reactions to that:

1. Really? He called Democrats "a clear and present danger" to the country, and it was the wrong thing for him to say to fellow Republicans, geared as they are to hearing lies? I'm not believing it.
2. The teleprompter goofed, huh? Nice. That happens. Never completely rely on electronics. Too often, they get in the way of what you want to do, including giving speeches. If the air conditioning fails, in other words, get out the fans. 
3. That means that Johnson had nothing prepared to provide backup, nothing to say on his own. And this is a U.S. Senator. I learned in my particular, politically charged position, and sometimes the hard way, that when you're considered representative of something, anything, have three things to say in case someone wants a comment and you have nothing prepared in front of you; not two, not four, just three. Be ready to recite them at any time, under any situations. You don't have to talk a lot, just have something of substance to say. Blend in the purpose of the meeting and something attached to your organization. Then sit down. People like that.
4. It's vital that, in such situations, you at least sound professional, competent, like you've been around and know a couple of things for sure. You might not, but you have to sound that way. Johnson participated in an incompetent goof, then explained it later. Bad look, Ron. But then, that's your style.
5. The smart thing would have been to acknowledge the electronic blip right there, on the stage, then launch into some version of those three boilerplate points. A short speech at a major party convention! Is there such a thing?
6. OR--that really was the speech he was to give, and, facing severe backlash for the ridiculous stupidity to which we're accustomed with him, he backed away and blamed the teleprompter. Which would make his comments a lie--lying about lies--which is what Republicans have been saying, and will continue to say, all week. So what would be worse--that it's true, or that it isn't?
7. Being just one of ex-'s toadies--aren't they all?--it meant that he was too scared to say another word, anything, that might cause anyone in the room (thousands, remember) to look cross-eyed at him. If so, he's in the wrong business, but we've known that for 14 years now.
8. He looked sadly pedestrian, as if he wandered in off the street and had something stuck under his nose that he'd never seen before. But he looks like that all the time, except when he makes up his own reality, twisted and pathetic.
9. All of this just deepens my contempt for him, since he wanted to help ex- on January 6 (see #7 above) and underwrite the list of phony electors as emanating from his office. That is quiet, non-violent insurrection, but insurrection indeed. He slithered out of responsibility. I will never forgive him for that.
10. And--it furthers the mystery as to why this state wanted to elect him not just once, not just twice, but three times. Granted, Mandela Barnes flat-out blew a tremendous chance to send this clown back to Oshkosh in 2022. Too often, politics involves winning by default, and this was one example of that.

We have one good U.S. Senator, though. Her name is Tammy Baldwin, locked in a tussle with her Republican opponent, who's as phony as Johnson, far more of a novice, and whose campaign is glossed over with serious money. She's presently beating him, but she still needs your help. Send her some money, please. The presidential race no longer looks good here, but if Democrats can hang onto the Senate, that will tie up ex-'s plans to undo practically everything. We can't let that happen. Gridlock is still within reach.

Be well. Be careful. With some luck, I'll see you down the road.