What hath the Republicans wrought: Will Trump's insanity finally rip the party apart?

[marmar]

What hath the Republicans wrought: Will Trump's insanity finally rip the party apart?
Whatever happens in Georgia, Trump's conspiracy theories have created a deranged third force the GOP can't control

By HEATHER DIGBY PARTON
DECEMBER 4, 2020 2:07PM


(Salon) Over the past few years both the media and Democratic officials have often reported that certain Republicans say on background or in private that they really can't stand Donald Trump. Veteran reporter Carl Bernstein even named some names a few days ago. Some people in the media and political classes would apparently prefer that the public see the Republican establishment as terrified of Donald Trump's base rather as than the cynics they are, eagerly taking advantage of Trump's chaos to advance their agenda.

Trump's post-election flights of lunacy provide an excellent case in point. While "mainstream" Republicans covertly whisper in Joe Biden's ear that they know he won the election, and assure him that they find Trump's twaddle about "rigged" votes and what have you terribly uncouth, they remain quiet in public, ostensibly because they want to let Trump have his tantrum and run out the clock, at which point we will pretend that all this unpleasantness never happened. This is, of course, nuts. President-elect Biden and every other Democrat who goes before the cameras to reassure Americans that the Republicans understand that Trump is off his rocker and that as soon as he's gone we'll all get back to normal are enabling them to continue the sabotage of our democracy. Democrats have no obligation to cover for Trump's accomplices and they need to stop doing it.

....(snip)....

Republicans are counting on Trump fading away quickly while they continue to take advantage of the system he has broken. It's a risky play. The conspiracy theories have become so byzantine and surreal that it won't be easy to appease the mob, not even with extreme measures like outlawing early voting or voting by mail. Trump's followers are being whipped into a frenzy, and it's starting to blow back on the GOP.

....(snip)....

Republicans are reportedly very nervous about Trump's planned super-spreader rally in Georgia on Saturday because he's likely to dwell on the "rigged election" instead of focusing on getting out the vote for Loeffler and Perdue. It will be a huge surprise if Trump doesn't just let his freak flag fly. It's his first rally since the election and he's hardly been seen on TV at all. He's dying for an audience. It's the air he breathes. ...........(more)

https://www.salon.com/2020/12/04/what-hath-the-republicans-wrought-will-trumps-insanity-finally-rip-the-party-apart/

[beachbumbob]

1. trump has set the stage for the next rightwing authoritarian presidential candidate, and will be

MUCH WORSE

[exboyfil]

3. A fascist with a high Q score?

Any thoughts on a name? Someone out of wrestling or another athlete? A actor? A Fox personality like Tucker Carlson or Sean Hannity?

If someone comes along who embodies the qualities that attract others to Trump, but is less personally corrupt and a more competent administrator; then you are right - it will be so much worse.

[beachbumbob]

4. its an unknown at this point but then no one saw Hitler coming either

A Hannity or Carlson aren't the types, no charisma at all. That person is out there believe me.

[ssgbryan]

6. Tom Cotton

He doesn't have a high IQ score, but he can connect with the mouth breathers.

[exboyfil]

7. That was my thought

but many others on this board think his lack of charisma will hold him back.

I think his long neck might be his biggest physical appearance drawback.

[Diraven]

25. Too bellicose

I've often thought so too but he just can't stop talking about how much he wants to bomb Iran and North Korea, and Venezuela, and everyone else, that hopefully that would turn voters off. Of course if some sort of international incident were manufactured during his presidential campaign he might sail into office...

[leighbythesea2]

8. Just wrote

Something, but crashed trying to post.
Short version.
Businessman or actor. Needs persona.
Elon Musk type. His girlfriend is musician (i think) so he likes entertainment factor. Being "crazy", has no bearing now.

[exboyfil]

9. Rich self made inventor type with an entertainment spouse

I could see that. Throw in military service.

[leighbythesea2]

10. Yep

Military service is a interesting call, yes.

Some kind of penchant for "entertainment " bc the US went down the reality TV and notoriety-is-the-same-as-fame-rabbit hole long ago.
And the media cannot look away--or criticize it.

[Hekate]

22. Enter Pompeo, a fascist with brains

[BeyondGeography]

2. We can always dream

[eppur_se_muova]

5. GMTA nt

[Mr.Bill]

11. A sane Fascist won't work.

Trump got elected because of his lunacy, not in spite of it. That's what drove the cable news ratings and gave him about a billion dollars of free publicity. The guy was the train wreck everyone wanted to watch, and that's what we got.

[ShazzieB]

14. Very true!

[JohnnyRingo]

12. He's not done yet.

He will continue to have a megaphone after leaving the White House and he'll do his best to further torment the party by legislating from Mara-Lago

Just like now: "Do as I say or I'll get someone in there who will".

[C Moon]

15. He doesn't care about any agenda. He only cares about himself.

But someone will come after him, smarter, and he'll support that person.
We need to change the things that Trump abused as president.
He showed us that the founders gave way too much power to that office.

[Lock him up.]

23. They didn't foresee color televisions everywhere with 000's of cable channels

and mega-corporations broadcasting 24/7 propaganda to manipulate the masses only for their own selfish advantages ($$$).

[C Moon]

24. The founders didn't see that coming. Yes, I see what you mean.

[BlueWavePsych]

13. Yes, let 'er rip!

[Grins]

16. "Republicans are counting on Trump fading away quickly..."

And that’s why D’s cannot let that happen and have to do formal inquiries with subpoenas and sworn testimony on everything that happened during the reign of the orange demagogue.

You really have to destroy them. Let them and the rest of the world NEVER FORGET what the Republican Party endorsed, aided, and abetted for four horrific years to, not just the U.S., but also the world.

[Grins]

17. To pile on and add...

First hearing I would suggest is to subpoena the State Dept. interpreter who interpreted for Trump in Helsinki in his talk with Putin. And get her notes.

[OldBaldy1701E]

20. Exactly!

We should not let up for a second. And, not just those in high positions. Anyone who got major media coverage. Those idiots who are out there stumping for him? Investigate! Those mouth breathers who won't wear a mask but always wear a MAGA hat? Time for a visit from the FBI. We cannot let them use the short term memory of our nation as a hiding spot.

[Ligyron]

18. It would be great if the GOP was ripped in two.

Weaken both the corporatist and the insane split up, divide and conquer.

Doubt it will happen but this is as good a chance as we’ve yet seen with in human memory, I’d say.

[thenelm1]

21. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch of schmucks.

One has to think that there has to be, at some level, some part of those that voted pubbie - those classic pubbies that vote that way because they consider themselves 'conservative' ala the 'Lincoln Project' guys, and, while having no real affinity for dump, they just couldn't make that same leap. Are they mortified at this ridiculous spectacle that these silly shenanigans have turned in to? And would any of those types like to take back their votes. For pres anyway. (sorry, that's a poor explanation, but you know they are out there. They aren't all wackaloons.)

[Evolve Dammit]

19. Meet the Brown Shirts. Drumpfolini's base is coming to life. GOP is silent. Cowards.

[DavidDvorkin]

26. A grammatical quibble

But not really a quibble. I'm surprised some editor didn't catch the error in the headline. It should be "have" instead of "hath".

[sandensea]

27. See? God worketh in mysterious ways

[bucolic_frolic]

28. No, the money bond is stronger than insanity itself

Until the books are uncovered on campaign cash and probed for stock deals, they'll hold together.

And we still need to know more about NRA funds, and those famous tax returns, and Deutsche Bank loans.

Rooting out the sources could take years.