Republican Party

Put up or shut up

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That is probably the golden rule of politics.

I am not worried about Donald Trump being re-elected with his anti-Democratic tendencies. He’s a politician and he either will deliver results to his constituencies or quickly become irrelevant.

Part of the reason why Donald Trump is doing so well politically currently is his first term was quite successful in the eyes of conservatives. Behind all the noise, he succeeded in delivering tax relief, and a Supreme Court that is reworking America in a more conservative image especially on social issues like guns and abortion. The conservative rights revolution seems to be well underway.

A self pardon of Donald Trump is likely to be wildly unpopular. Likewise using the government’s prosecuting powers under law to go after political enemies is likely to lead to significant drop in the president’s support. But on the other hand, bringing the justice department to heel and focusing them on conservative priorities is likely to score him points both with the Republican base and his fellow conservative legislators. Using unconventional methods may be unpopular with Democrats but in recent years executive power has been expanding as politics has become more contentious. But the moment that Trump stops delivering for the nation and particular his base, he’s likely to fall out of power.

Using the levers of power isn’t anti-democratic. It is effective. Levers of power aren’t limited to only one party or ideology. If Trump discovers a new lever of power, then the next Democratic candidate to be elected into the White House is also likely to use it too. Or it’s possible that if the public, especially those in the opposing party will find the power grab to be so morally repugnant that they remove that power from the executive by passing new laws reining in the President.

Don’t like Trump? I don’t like him much either. So don’t vote for him. And know he will be gone in four years, and you’ll have yet another candidate better to your liking in the White House. Or Congress in two years.

I don’t think Trump in 2024 is the worst thing ever

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He’s also not likely to be the greatest president ever, but probably will do okay in the job. I think Joe Biden might be a better choice, but I’m willing to accept whoever the voters chose come next November.

Trump has been excellent on the second amendment and appointing pro-gun and conservative judges throughout the judiciary. He’s been a brash voice for change, not stuck in the old ways of doing things in Washington DC. He represents a new way of thinking, not all good, but different then the mindset that has dominated national politics for much too long. He would be a good check on Congress, especially if the Democrats control one or both houses. He would slow or roll back some of the over-reach of the Biden administration.

That said, I hardly am a fan of his over the top rhetoric and his lawlessness both as President and thereafter. You would would hope the President would have respect for the law and institution, choosing to obey long-standing social norms, rather then breaking them without pause. I also think a second term of Trump would undermine much of the progress at least temporarily on climate change, most notably the Clean Car Standards, though I doubt the auto companies would slide too far backwards, as everybody knows electrification is the future and climate change remains a real threat, even if the temporary occupant of the White House is in denial.

If anything, I think this world is coming to an end rhetoric around the upcoming election is harmful. Do vote, if convenient as it’s your chance to make a difference around the edges of politics. But don’t take the election personally, and don’t act like the world is coming to an end regardless of who ultimately ends up in the White House come 2025. Chances are if you don’t turn on the television, you won’t even know who is in White House that year, and whoever the occupant is that year in the White House, chances are the worse they’ll give you is indigestion watching the news after dinner.

Who would want to work for the Trump administration in 2025?

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It’s very much an open question when so many of the top Trump officials from 2020 now are justice involved if not serving prison sentences for their involvement in the insurrection. A future administration is going to require tens of thousands of patronage employees but many may not be willing to step up because of the risk to their careers and reputation.

Often working in a presidential administration is the capstone of a career. But for so many appointees in the first term of Trump, they faced extensive political pressure to violate norms and even laws, not only putting their personal ethics at question but also subjecting themselves to criminal penalties and fines, not to mention risks to their future.

While there are millions of Americans to pick from and there are inevitably Trump supporters who’d love to join his administration, most are likely not the experienced, seasoned professionals who you would hope the President would attract as advisors.

The thing about vermin … 🐕 🐀 🐿

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Vermin usually win. Seriously, they’re called vermin not only because they’re a pest, be it because they kill livestock like coyotes do, or chew holes in walls and into food like mice do, but because they’re damn hard to control and win a war against.

Richard Nixon 1972 Campaign Song

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With only a few weeks to Election Day, one of the most difficult campaign songs ever to get out of one's head. You've been warned.

NPR

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Fraud ruling threatens Trump’s N.Y. business empire : NPR

New York City — Donald J. Trump's sprawling web of businesses in New York faces grave danger and could unravel swiftly after this week's fraud ruling by a state Supreme Court judge, legal and business experts say.

The summary judgment issued Tuesday concluded that the former president and his associates, including sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, systematically overvalued corporate assets over a period of years.

In one instance, they falsely inflated the total square footage of a commercial building by 300 percent, the ruling concluded. They also valued rent-controlled apartments equally with buildings where landlords are free to set their own prices.