Hat tip, commenter "That_Looks_Delicious" at Joe.My.God: http://www.joemygod.com/2018/01/18/report-trump-personally-ordered-bannon-limit-testimony-house-intelligence-committee/
David Frum on why Republicans chose Trumpocracy over democracy
“The Republican Party has a platform that can’t prevail in democratic competition.”
By Sean Illing@seanilling sean.illing@vox.com Jan 18, 2018, 12:10pm EST
....
Sean Illing
What’s the main argument you’re making in this book?
David Frum
The argument I’m making is that Donald Trump’s rococo personality is outrageous and ridiculous and consumes all of our attention, but what we really need to pay attention to is his system of power. A president does not rule by personal authority and personal charisma. He is part of a system, and you have to understand that whole system — who supports him and why.
Sean Illing
Let’s talk about that system. Is it broken, or is it merely being tested?
David Frum
Trump has taken control of the Republican Party and the conservative media infrastructure. They started off opposing him; even Fox opposed him. He bent Fox to his will, and he defeated the organized Republican Party. He’s leveraged his control of the Republican Party, then, to dominate the American political system.
I think a lot of people console themselves by noting how little policy impact he’s having. Some people will note that to the extent that he’s having an impact, it’s a pretty conventional Republican policy vision. But that’s not what’s new about Trump. ... What’s new is the way he’s shutting down the ethical standards of the US government, and thwarting the defense of the country against foreign espionage intervention in those elections.
= new reply since forum marked as read
