Scholars and writers for and against Trump

A few weeks ago, a group called "Scholars & Writers for America" released a list of conservative intellectuals who were proud to support Donald Trump's presidential bid. Signatories endorsed the following statement: "Given our choices in the presidential election, we believe that Donald J. Trump is the candidate most likely to restore the promise of America, and we urge you to support him as we do."

The pro-Trump group is allied with the American Greatness website, which has declared "independence" from the American conservative movement. The concern, as expressed by American Greatness writer Publius Decius Mus, is that this is the "Flight 93 election." Others, such as Ben Shapiro, see it as little more than "an apologia for Pat Buchananism."

This week has seen the release of another list, "Scholars and Writers Against Trump." Signatories endorsed a competing statement: "Given our choices in the presidential election, we believe that Donald Trump is the candidate most dangerous to our nation's founding ideals. He is a unique and dire threat to the political principles, liberties, and cultural values of justice, fairness, honesty, and decency we have long defended. We urge you to vote, as we will, for someone else." It should come as no surprise to readers of this blog that I am a signatory of the latter list. Other "scholars and writers" who wish to sign on may do so here.