Yes, he’s a crook, a liar, and a narcissist. He’s been a piss poor president, maybe the worst in history.
But consider . . .
In 2016, the GOP was the corporate party. The party of Reagan and Bush, of ALEC, of greedy little men concerned only with keeping their power and wealth.
In 2020, the GOP is the party of Trump. Period. Koch who.
It is a leaner party, a smaller party, because all the moderates and a lot of the functionaries have jumped ship. But what’s left belongs to Trump. They are his followers, his cultists.
American politics is a two party system, and Trump now owns - OWNS - one of the two.
He did it the same way Obama and Biden did. He organized, inspired, and empowered minority groups — collectively known as The Deplorables. Neo Nazis, racists, and neo-Confederates; arguably the most marginalized groups in America.
Don’t believe me? When was the last time you saw a sympathetic portrayal of any member of any of these groups? Archie Bunker, back in the Seventies. Neo Nazis have NEVER been portrayed in a positive light — with good reason, but if you’re a neo-Nazi, it probably burns in your soul.
After years of dog whistles which led only to cynical manipulation, the racists and neo-Nazis got a leader who spoke frankly, who complemented them openly and didn’t recant later. Whatever Trump really feels, they are convinced he’s on their side. They were the start — the ones that retweeted the conspiracies and threatened anyone who got out of line. They were the loud ones, and they slowly brought in the rest.
America and the world laughs in disgust at Trump’s futile flailing attempts to retain the presidency at any cost, despite losing the election.
But consider . . .
America likes underdogs. When the hero has been cornered and ordered to surrender, we all cheer when he blows them off with a one-liner and fights on. Remember the Alamo, folks.
We may not think much of his actions, but his followers are seeing a guy who never quits, even when all others would. He is their Rambo, their Rocky, their action hero. The guy who never gives up. Remember, a lot of his followers are still contesting the outcome of the Civil War. They appreciate the long game.
Trump’s interference in the Georgia senatorial election may result in the Democrats retaking control. This has left GOP stalwarts aghast and liberals celebrating.
But consider . . .
Trump couldn’t care less who controls the Senate at this point. His next Presidency is 4 years away. What does interest him is complete control over the GOP, and Mitch McConnell is the competition. He is the spearhead of the old Guard, the corporates and Evangelicals, and his power resides in his control over the Senate and his power to block legislation and force through appointments.
If Trump can prove he has the power to determine which senators get elected and which party gets the majority, then the last holdouts are neutered. McConnell et al will have to go hat in hand to The Donald to get anything done, and the takeover will be complete.
Trump has mismanaged the Covid-19 crisis into a national disaster. Hundreds of thousands have died, and those who survive are likely to spark a new health crisis due to the damage the virus does to the body. His actions have been a stunning display of arrogance and incompetence.
But consider . . .
It’s not easy to overthrow a stable government. Both Hitler and Stalin rose to power as a result of their nations going through terrible times. The two things both Germany and Russia had in common were socioeconomic upheaval and a government considered too weak and incompetent to do anything about it. Both Hitler and Stalin marched into power as Saviors of the Nation, restoring order, rebuilding the economy, . . . exterminating rivals and seizing power.
At this point, nothing is going to bring COVID under control without draconian tactics. Tough and relentless enforcement of social distancing and mask laws, closing businesses and throwing people out of work — all things certain to stoke anger and resentment. The anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, and conspiracy theorists will only prolong the problem — and make the Biden government look weak and ineffectual. You can see where this is going.
Is an authoritarian takeover likely? No, I don’t think so. Nazis are still nazis, and most people have turned away from the Trump KoolAid. But, as a deliberate plan to replace American democracy with Trump autocracy, . . . it’s not bad.
I wonder if Putin thought of it?