"As Trumpism takes hold, Republicans face increasing pressure to embrace policies they once opposed," the Washington Post keenly observes. Cue the usual observation that it turns out Republicans give their leaders whatever they want, even at the cost of significant hypocrisy and violation of the values they once claimed to hold dear.
There’s the lament/wishful thinking from the old guard:
“I think that’s the drama we’re going to see in the next few years — whether the beliefs that are being espoused by President Trump are going to firmly take root and take over the party, or are they going to be tested in real life,” said Tony Fratto, who served as a spokesman in the George W. Bush administration. “I think we’re going to see foreign policy failures and trade failures that will lead Republicans to say, that was a mistake. We need to go back to where we were on those issues.”
But, Sen. Steve Daines tells us of Trump’s base, “They want to see America first.” Also, “They want to see jobs protected,” hilarious as China targets red counties with tariffs and Republicans, of course, continue to block a minimum wage increase. “And relating to NATO, they want to make sure everybody’s paying their fair share.” Yes, I’m sure the average voter had strong feelings about NATO payments before Donald Trump made it a favorite topic.
Here’s your answer to what Republicans are going to do about this supposed disconnect between their party’s traditional positions and Trumpism: They’re going to fall in line. Whether because they secretly (or not so secretly) always hated immigrants this much or because they care more about what they’re getting from Trump than what they’re giving away or because they only ever cared about power to begin with or because they’re just that craven, Republicans will happily go along as the party of Trump.
And for anyone waiting for that “Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency” moment, well, no, they don’t. Trump definitely doesn’t have a sense of decency, and it’s become clear that no Republican who dares to ask that question will continue to have any standing within their party. Who’s going to ask that question? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who held open a Supreme Court seat for nearly a year and blocked President Obama from warning the public about Russian election interference? House Speaker Paul Ryan, whose answer to questions about anything awkward said or done by a Republican is that he hasn’t heard about it? The question “Have you left no sense of decency” can’t be directed at just one person—it must be directed at the entire Republican Party. And they’ve answered it.