On barriers to voting

I imagine Republican strategists will want Donald Trump as their 2024 presidential nominee even less than in 2016. But they know Trump’s base can beat primary candidates who oppose him or his choices in the 2022 midterm elections.

They seem to be welcoming the Trump cult into the fold, but are trying to keep it calm. They are, in a word, lukewarm to it. Mr. Trump must, therefore, spew them from his mouth.

The spewing will bring some weak sisters in line and cause others to stand up to the cult. Either way, voters will have more opportunities to—and will on the national level—reject the cult. I predict the spewing will reduce the cult’s numbers, but harden it around more “stolen” elections.

Although the cult will lose on the national level, it will prevail and probably grow in several states, including Arkansas. It will be helped where Republicans succeed in preserving and strengthening barriers to voting.

P.S. Making it hard to vote is the real steal. Our history of excluding or discouraging various classes of citizens from voting is no excuse. It’s an expectoration on government of, for and by the people. They know that. They don’t care. Their main argument, made straight-faced and unapologetically, is that higher voter turnout favors Democrats.

P.P.S. Would you put a “Don’t Vote” or “I Miss Jim Crow” sticker on your pickup’s bumper? All registered voters should get a ballot and be encouraged to vote by mail. HOWELL MEDDERS

Fayetteville