Opening Arguments

VR40 - This Vapid Response Wednesday, we note the end of Ross Douthat’s 17-year run as the resident New York Times conservative columnist with a drive-by review of some of his most willfully clueless work--and a closer look at his recent farewell message in which he provides a fitting capstone to a long career of willfully ignoring everything about how and why the American right went full MAGA. You can WATCH this episode, too! “Europe’s Minaret Moment,” Ross Douthat, New York Times (12/6/2009) “Confessions of a Columnist,” Ross Douthat, New York Times (1/2/2016) “The Necessity of Stephen Miller,” Ross Douthat, New York Times (1/27/2018) “There Will Be No Trump Coup,” Ross Douthat, New York Times (10/10/2020) “Why Do So Many Americans Think the Election Was Stolen?” Ross Douthat, New York Times (12/5/2020) “How Donald Trump Made the Fantasy Real,” Ross Douthat, New York Times (1/9/2021) “Why Nikki Haley Would Be the Most Dangerous President,” Ross Douthat, New York Times (1/20/2024) “What Would