Just wanted to break down the GOP support for Trump.... the HOWS and WHYS.
If I had a dollar every time I heard someone ask HOW the GOP could support TCF...
I'd be richer than TCF.
I've thought about it a lot... and will explain.
(my opinions)
First, one must go back in time a little.
The most important factor of post WW2 USA is the ascendance of the Neoconservative movement.
Some will say the birth of the Neocons was during the Vietnam War. But I disagree. After reading the book by Justin Vaisse (Brookings Institution), I'm going to credit the end of WW2 as the catalyst.
You see... there were those (most famously, George S Patton) who actually suggested marching East from Germany to eject Russia from Central Europe, at least back to Pre-WW2 borders. They met initial resistance from folks like Truman, Ike, etc... but this whole "anti-Communist" sentiment took off within just a few years as an official policy of "containment" of the Communists was developed. AKA the Truman Doctrine...
And then... just a few years later, the Hawks in the US got a chance to fight some Communists in Korea.
And then a decade later the opportunity to fight Communists in Vietnam.
Call the Vietnam War the second stage of Neoconservatism or the rebirth.
The movement became a backlash against the Cultural movement to the Left. Not just anti-Communist and pro-American empire building but culture warriors picking up several groups like Christians and those opposed to Civil Rights, "Free Love", the hippies, anti-war protestors, music, diversity and such things... it was the broadest expansion of the group so far.
Fast forward to the 80's... an opportunity arose when Reagan was elected with HUGE majorities. Reagan was a true believer in Neoconservatism and launched the whole "Drive the Russians bankrupt Arms Race"...
When the Berlin Wall fell... the Neocons sensed the opportunity to "finish off" Russia, to take the sole position on the top of the worlds countries. This may have been the PEAK of neoconservatism.
By the 90's, Americans preferred the cool guy who played the sax... Neocons were the old people, closed minds and "fuddy duddy".
Neocons were thrown a lifeline on 9/11/2001, Vaisse called this the "third stage" of the movement... Shrub the Lesser became their empty suit and their power surged. They led the movement with nonsensical phrases like "Spreading Democracy" which can be translated to expand the American empire.
Again... within just a few years the American people saw through the lies of the Neocons and elected the cool black guy... with the beautiful wife and cute kids.
So where are you going with this, War Gamer? OK that's the background. And here's why the GOP has become the Trump Party.
Post 9/11, Post Shrubs illegal war... the Neocons had run out of steam. Neocons have a primary focus on the Global American Empire, politically and economically. They have "used" the groups they co-opted for power. The Religious Right, the cultural conservatives, the Country Club Republicans, the Soccer Moms, the folks still sore about Civil Rights...
The GOP was shrinking. Parts of the GOP were "leaking" to the Left.
Look at the nomination of Dole, Bush, McCain and even Romney... all weak candidates attempting to get the whole "club" back together.
Republican voters became an even more narrow slice of the public. Those with populist beliefs or far right beliefs couldn't connect with these guys.
In 2012, Romney received 60m votes.
Along comes Trump. Like him or not, he energized a HUGE portion of voters and just 4 years after Romney, Trump received 63m votes but more importantly brought out voters who were previously non voters or infrequent voters.
In 2020, Trump rec'd 74m votes, more than any candidate in history NOT named Biden.
So here we are in 2024.
Why is the GOP latched onto Trump?
Simple answer. They want those 74m votes going forward.
The Neocon movement failed those on the Right by becoming a "fake" Party, doing the DC thing and lying to folks back home.
So... the GOP will back Trump 100% and if/when he loses in 24, they keep the Trumpists and repair bridges with Suburbia with folks just like Trump but with higher IQ and better optics... like Haley, Scott, deSantis, etc...
In other words, the rise of Trump is the evolution of the GOP from the Neocon Party (dead and buried, sorry Liz and Dick) to a populist and similar to the 60's... anti cultural warrior Party.
THIS is why they embrace Trump. Period.
Thanks for reading, if you made it this far.
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