For a boat to cross a pond, both oars need to paddle the same direction, or you’ll go in circles. A boat that is the magaGOP [FN1] ticket for Gov/Lt Gov has been cutting circles since the party’s mid-June convention; 891 delegates nominated Micah Beckwith for Lt Gov. [FN2] 1/10

The lead on the ticket is the nominee for Gov, Mike Braun, who won May’s primary. [FN3] On the one hand, Braun “isn’t buying” IN Dems’ optimism that McCormick/Goodin, their ticket for Gov/Lt Gov is “‘situated to win this year’s Indiana gubernatorial race.’” [FN4] 2/10

Braun might get a bit dizzy from the circular motions of the little vessel. Last year, Beckwith said s/he’d be a “thorn” in the side of Gov to whom s/he would be Lt. [FN5] Braun said in June, “I’m in charge” & if Beckwith doesn’t work w/Braun, it won’t be as “fruitful.”[FN6] 3/10
They don’t call him “Iron Mike” Braun for nothing! [FN7] Beckwith “suggested in a meme this week that” the gov’t “‘collected wedding rings’ before ‘they collected all the guns’” after a GA school shooting. Beckwith also questioned the efficacy of childhood vaccines. [FN8] 4/10

Beckwith prefers unfettered access to weapons designed for use by the military to kill as many as quickly as possible than to prevent murders of children in public schools. Beckwith clings to the anti-vax philosophy that kills kids as if they were in the 19th century. Braun’s solution? 5/10

Braun has no solution. Braun merely notes: Beckwith’s message falls on few ears. [FN9] That’s not-so-strong language from not-so-Iron Mike. Beckwith, otoh, declared this week: “The floodgates have opened—what was once a taboo topic is now front and center.” 6/10

The “boat” was going in circles until Beckwith grabbed his oar & knocked Braun over the head. Beckwith will not be satisfied with control of IN magasGOP. If Beckwith becomes IN LT, he’ll want even more power. And remember: #BrainsNotBraun. 7/10

Footnotes:
FN1. This iteration of the Republican Party is not the GOP of old, but a magaGOP cult taken by the far right before 2010, and enthralled by trump since 2016.
FN2. Hamilton County preacher whose only public office, as a board member of the Hamilton East Public Library (“HEPL”) is not listed on his campaign website. 8/10

Footnotes:
FN3. Braun won the primary by receiving 236,649 votes, or 39.6 % of six (6) candidates. AXIOS, Indianapolis.
FN4. Wren, Adam, “Braun We’re in as solid shape as we’ve ever been,” Importantville, 9/6/24.
FN5. Wren, Adam, “Confessions of an (alleged) book banner,” Importantville, 09/24/2023. 9/10

Footnotes:
FN6. Volmert, Isabella, “Indiana Republicans upset Mike Braun’s choice for lieutenant governor, backing far-right pick,” Siouxland Proud, 6/15/24. (Accessed 8/27/24)
FN7. Well, I’ve never heard her/him called that. S/he does little to help her/his cause.
FN8. Id., note 4.
FN9. Id., note 4.