It’s a cliché to say that if someone didn’t have double standards, he would have no standards at all. But the reason something becomes a cliché is that it’s often said because it’s true.

1. Dan Bongino points this out: During the Trump presidency, Lt Col Alexander Vindman strongly criticized Trump’s foreign policy. He did this in uniform, before Congress. He was hailed as a straight arrow and a role model, and continued at his desk job.

2. In contrast, Lt Col Stuart Scheller strongly criticized our Afghanistan debacle that cost 13 American lives. He did this in uniform, on the internet. He was immediately relieved (fired) as a battalion commander and his 17-year career ended. He was condemned as a disloyal malcontent.

Moral: Criticize Republican president = hero. Criticize Democrat president = villain.

Here’s another:

1. During the 1992 election campaign, President George H. W. Bush looked at his watch. Bush was irritated because his opponent was getting more time. But the media claimed he was bored and uninvolved, or even that he was in effect dropping out of the race.  Bill Clinton defeated him for the presidency.

2. In contrast, while the bodies of service men and women killed in action were being returned from Afghanistan, President Biden looked at his watch. Only conservative media noted this fact. No criticism followed, and no insult to the fallen was attributed to Biden.

Moral: Democrat looks at watch = no problem. Republican looks at watch = big problem.

It’s a cliché, but it’s truer than ever. If leftists didn’t have double standards, they’d have no standards at all. But political tactics, yes, they have tons of those.

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