"Peter, you need to stop writing about Trump. Trump is out. We Republicans have moved on."
Comment from a former Republican officeholder
If only they could.
The Republican National Committee is meeting in Salt Lake City. They are wrestling with a resolution to condemn Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Some want them declared not-Republicans. Others want them censored. There is a group that allegedly wants to "water down" the resolution lest the GOP appear too slavish to Trump. They insist to NBC reporters that their comments be unattributed. NBC wrote "they are loath to antagonize Trump and possibly drive off his hard-core followers." Even finesse is dangerous.
Republican candidates have a problem. Trump polarizes, and when Trump is in full glory he is indefensible--except to the GOP primary electorate. Some candidates try nuance. Be Trump-adjacent but not Trump-compliant. We saw it with the Oregon GOP candidates for governor.
Trump keeps himself center stage by being outrageous. He wrote yesterday:
Why isn't the corrupt Unselect Committee of political hacks and highly partisan sleazebags in Washington investigating the massive voter fraud and irregularities that took place in the 2020 President Election, rather than spending all of its time investigating those who were protesting its result?"
This is on top of a week when he suggested he would probably pardon Capitol rioters if elected again. He put in print that he wanted Vice President Michael Pence to "overthrow the election." He called for the investigation and prosecution of both Nancy Pelosi and Pence. He called Lindsay Graham a RINO. He continues his public condemnation of "stupid," "loser," "Old Broken Crow" Mitch McConnell.
It is hard to find finesse and middle ground with that. Republican candidates fear sounding weak or skeptical of Trump, and doubly fear outright contradiction of him. Take 30-seconds to watch this advertisement from David Perdue's campaign. He is in a contested primary against Brian Kemp for Georgia governor:
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Trump is seen saying:
The Democrats walked all over Brian Kemp. He was afraid of Stacey 'the hoax' Abrams. Brian Kemp let us down. We can't let it happen again. David Perdue is an outstanding man. He's tough. He's smart. He has my complete and total endorsement. Vote for David Perdue.
Kemp is stuck. He certified Biden's election victory. He did his duty and made Trump an enemy. That is baked in for him. Like Pence, he didn't overthrow an election.
Most Republican candidates have more wiggle room. If Trump took off the pressure they could say they have doubts, that there were troubling irregularities, that they are focused on election security in the future. They could appear Trump-compliant but independent. One tack is to say they defer to the doubts of others. Nevada gubernatorial candidate Dean Heller had said in the fall that he knew who the president was, while refusing to say Biden's name aloud. That was not good enough. He has since met with Trump in Florida and hardened his position, saying the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and that Biden is an illegitimate president. He said his evidence is that 71% of Nevada Republicans believe that, and he is with them.
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One of the two great political parties in America is stuck in a feedback loop. Trump won't let go and therefore his base of support won't let go. Trump is getting less cautious. He is openly and proudly admitting to crimes. He is openly coaching witnesses by dangling pardons. As Trump becomes more extreme, the heavier burden he becomes to Republican candidates in a general election.
You are with him or against him. There is no finessing that. Trump demands too much.
11 comments:
Minor correction offered:
"One of the two great political parties in America is stuck in a feedback loop. Trump won't let go and therefore his codependent opposition won't let go".
While Trump is indeed about the only thing energizing the Democratic base, this compulsion is not shared by independents and moderates, who instead see Biden, Schumer and Pelosi's manifest failure, and Democrats counter-productively looking backwards with Trump, in an effort to change the subject and shift blame from Democratic mismanagement and unfulfilled promises.
It's interesting in this way also; Trump panders to bigots and the feeble minded to raise money, which is then spent on media and appearances, (I wouldn't call them rallies, rallying for what?) which are spent ridiculing his critics and defending himself from the ongoing scrutiny from authorities. This is all dependent on another run for office. Without that he's just an entertainer. So his supporters are paying him to conduct his public life as this jester who periodically does "concerts" where he is basically an insult comic.
The politics, other than despicable, are incidental. However, the Republican party provides him with the credibility that allows all this, believing their support will allow them to retain power. It's a love/hate, co-dependent dysfunctional relationship that they will cling to until the bitter end.
Some Republicans would prefer that we just ignore Trump. I can see why. He's an embarrassment, but he's their party leader – we'd be idiots to ignore him. He’s belligerent, racist, ignorant, crude, rude and seditious. Incredibly, most Republicans love him for those very qualities. Maybe those who don’t are in the wrong party.
Imagine that! The past is past and we should stop looking at the train wreck of a Republican Party headed by the orange bombastic Trump. No we won't. The GOP has made themselves kin to seditionists and our republic must not abide their attempts to continue their slow-moving coup.
But a word of caution to the Democrats - show some spine and standup for the working class too long ignored!
Dean Heller was voted out 3 years ago. Pretty well hated by most Nevadans. Trying to appease nutty frootcake base in Vega$, who voted against him, for Governor job.
If those who find him abhorrent remain silent, they're just as complicit as the ones who vocally adore him.
“One of the two great political parties in America is stuck in a feedback loop.”
One of them?
So, which is it that energizes Democrats?
I'm pleased with President Joe Biden and his administration.
This country, after four years, has some adults in charge.
Trump is the drunk child-abusing uncle that disgraces the family - but he's still family.
As I said above, we’d be fools to ignore Trump when the Republican Party remains so devoted to him. Case in point:
Today the Republican National Committee assailed the House committee investigating the violent Jan. 6 insurrection for leading a “persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”
In other words, Republicans are crazy about Trump, but they're also just flat out crazy - living in their own reality. Don’t turn your backs.
“This country, after four years, has some adults in charge.”
Perfect example of feedback loop.
Enjoy 2022.
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