We were having a discussion on faceBook. A friend asked me a question and I ended up writing a way tldr response. So I share it here just so all that typing won’t have been in vain.
KW: But can Trump fail without America failing?
Puzzld: certainly he CAN. We've had presidents fail spectacularly without causing the failure of America. Now the question is WILL he. I rest my hope on the Supreme Court. Those "strict constitutionalism" justices so beloved by conservatives can hand politicians who over reach some real surprises. Or not.
CH: K, I agree with Puzzld that Presidential failure does not encompass national failure. But Presidential failure can certainly cause national failure. I certainly won't get in the way of Trump making a fool of himself and losing all political capital, but I will do what I can to resist his personal failings from damaging our country and Constitution. That could be a lot of work.
KW --Puzzld When have we had a terrible president or a president who made bad moves without it hurting America?
Puzzld: Oh, I never said presidential failures didn’t cause harm to America. They do. I said they haven’t caused it to FAIL. And by fail I don’t mean a bruise or two, but rather failure on a systemic level. So far we have managed to shrug off failed leadership, while the ship of state sails on. We frequently make a course adjustment and go on our way. You want me to explain? OK. Prepare for way TLDR
- The Obama presidency is ending in failure. Obama put his chips on Hilary only to see everything end in craps. He also passed a flawed health care plan (better than anything passed before, but still) which is likely to be demolished by his successor. He had many fine plans which he failed to achieve. So, yes he failed. Hopefully, his failure won’t cause the failure of America. Stay tuned.
- The 2nd Bush presidency featured the stock market tanking, two expensive, unpaid for wars, the worst act of terrorism on American soil… A failure on a grand scale. Harm to America? You bet, but we were still standing at the end of the day, ready to embrace “Hope and Change”
- The Gore presidency was aborted by the supreme court. Its failure is largely missed opportunities. Maybe we’d be almost free of fossil fuel by now, maybe we’d have global warming on the run… But America pulled herself together. Americans rallied behind the new president in the wake of 9/11 and we soldiered on.
- The Clinton presidency was mired in scandal and disgrace. Echoes of that scandal helped kill the chances of a second Clinton presidency.
- The 1st Bush raised taxes and couldn’t manage to win a second term despite having been wildly popular after Operation Desert Storm (a quick little war, in and out does wonders for a president’s popularity)
- Reagan’s memory failed and many Americans also seem to have forgotten about Iran/Contra/Arms for hostages. A pretty big deal.
- Carter – another one term president, a failure as president… really, the Rodney Dangerfield effect in office.
- Ford. Couldn’t even manage to get elected once. Pardoned Nixon
- Nixon. When your successor needs to issue a pardon, that’s pretty much the definition of a failed presidency, eh?
- Johnson. Left the country mired in an unpopular war after one elected term in office. So unpopular that he didn’t even bother to run for a second term.
- Kennedy. Well, yeah. Get assassinated and your presidency has ended in failure.
I could go on… but I’ll spare you.
So, strangely, I’m somewhat optimistic. I believe Trump will fail, just like every president in my lifetime has failed. Hopefully, it won’t be an epic failure that gets us all killed. Hopefully a loyal opposition will form in congress (never trumpers and the remnants of the dems?) and the Supreme court will stay healthy and at least as sane as they are now.