General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf Trump were less unstable, or if he were less obsessed with dominating the GOP...
The hard right would likely succeed in soon destroying American democracy. As it is though, my money is on them failing. Trump is simply too ugly and unhinged. His ego will not allow him to get out of anybody's way, erstwhile friends included, who could actually implement full scale autocracy. He will simply scream louder and incite more rebellion within whatever "governing minority" Republicans plan on cobbling together to retain power should the spotlight start moving away from him. Very thinly "veiled" threats of violence is the only remaining lever he can pull in attempting to ultimately avoid prison, other than launching actual violence itself. He already did so on January 6th and won't hesitate to do so again. But a Trump inspired coup attempt lacks the velvet glove over the iron fist needed to pull it off. Others can wear that glove, but not Trump.
Societal polarization, along the Trump's chosen fault lines, leaves him with a bitter angry ugly quarter of our nation firmly in his camp. Fifteen percent more are theoretically within his reach, and collectively that could form a plurality large enough for Trumpists to secure their grip on national power. But Trump is too nakedly extreme to hold onto that swing faction if he prematurely forces a showdown, and you can count on him doing just that. Time is a luxury that Trump has run out of.
Paradoxically DC Republicans are counting on normal order to return them back to power in 2022 during a mid term election that historically goes against the party of a first term president. These are not normal order times though and that will increasingly become clear over the coming months. There are several demagogues in waiting with sufficient finesse to exploit these times to their favor, if Trump allowed them center right stage. He won't.
Goonch
(3,614 posts)Response to Tom Rinaldo (Original post)
MatthewG. This message was self-deleted by its author.
MatthewG.
(362 posts)Yes, Trumps narcissistic personality and lack of emotional self-control rendered him a little too erratic to rule the country as the authoritarian despot he yearned to be.
A figure with similar aspirations and demagogic charisma possessed of enough self-discipline to work with top Pentagon figures without alienating his own partys Senate leadership, not to mention many of his own appointees, probably would have been able to successfully establish a right-wing despotism.
The next would-be tinpot will surely be more competent, and may succeed where Trump failed. I hope it doesnt come to that, but honestly, at least half of all Republican voters (and likely more) would happily toss away democratic governance for a despot who implemented their policy preferences.
Chainfire
(17,641 posts)He is as evil as Trump, but presents himself and a normal adult instead of a clown king.
Tom Rinaldo
(22,913 posts)I think Trump still being out there will make it difficult for him though. That is the silver lining in Trump refusing to exit stage right.
Tom Rinaldo
(22,913 posts)His blatant appeal to them drove them out of the shadows and into the bright light of day. And he continues to incite them toward even greater extremes. To use a current metaphor, Trump may actually trigger off strong antibodies to autocracy in our body politic before his infection can weaken it sufficiently for a more able autocrat to take us down. Desantis, or whoever, has now lost the element of surprise. Trump is forcing that ilk to display their true loyalties in a light which may excite the core Trumpster base but alienates increasing numbers outside of it. Suddenly it's High Noon and cockroaches can no longer lay seeds for sedition in the shadows.
PatSeg
(47,596 posts)to even be successful at corruption and tyranny. "American exceptionalism" sure isn't what it used to be. Even our dictator-wannabes fall short.
I suppose we are fortunate that Trump was a chronic failure, as he exposed the many weaknesses in our institutions, government, and society. If they are not addressed, we may not be so lucky next time.
FakeNoose
(32,756 posts)... and Barr's about hard right as it's possible to be. His backing out of the "Stop the Steal" movement was very telling.
A lot of the "almost normal" conservatives have snubbed Chump since the January debacle. That's what I see anyway. The Q-people will never leave him, but they're hopeless and deplorable. Their numbers are diminishing, especially now that the trials are starting.
The Koch-funded rightwingers are looking for a replacement for Chump, you can be sure of it.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Too big of a douche even for the Reptilians.