2020 Election

[CKwi88]

(07-31-2020, 09:58 PM)samhain Wrote: I totally disagree about Trumpism dying with Trump, anyway.  His supporters, even the garden variety are hardcore.  They are all about the personality cult and all that comes with it.  Any moderate or classic Republican that expects this authoritarian populism to die with DJT's elimination from office isn't paying attention.  

If the Party itself tries to disown Trumpism, Trumpism will most definitely turn on the Party.  The man himself will run his mouth on twitter about anything and everything they do to distance themselves, and the faithful will devour it.  He can turn his QAnon morons against anyone he wants, and if the GOP thinks they are safe, then they haven't been watching.  If Biden wins, they won't see it as Trump being too Trumpy. They'll see it as him being restrained by party elders and not Trumpy enough.  

A Biden win will devastate the GOP, and not because of anything Dems do.  It will lead to internal war within the party between populist clowns like Gym Jordan, Frat Gaetz, and Rona Gohmert and old heads like Graham, Mitch and the others.  

As for the heir to Trumpism, I see it being Tom Cotton.  He's a less moronic, younger, and more respectable authoritarian populist.  Trump's kids are not a possiblity, IMO because at their cores they don't bring a lot to the table other than a name.  They aren't as stupid or insane as dad, although they might be just as sadistic and entitled.  Eric is, well, Eric.  Don Jr is the living embodiment of an arrogant-for-no reason heir.  Ivanka is probably the best of the bunch, but she's still way out of her depth at this level.  I think she has a desire to be liked, and is not suited to enduring a political campaign as it's center.  Dad doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks, and that's his greatest strength.  I don't think the kids share that trait.  Pence is bland and has no shot unless the Dems end up in a Trump-style disaster with whatever candidate they'd run against him.  He's basically a walking stereotype of what people who who regard the Christian radical right with disdain regard them with disdain for.  

I certainly dont believe Trumpism dies with Trump's presidency. He has a cult like following that certainly lives up to the whole "I can shoot a dude on 5th Ave and not lose a vote" mantra.

However, should Trump lose emphatically in November, the GOP is going to be at a major crossroads. They will either have to double down on Trumpism, further cementing Trumpism as the GOP platform, or disown him and alienate a very vocal minority of their electorate, and what will be a very vocal scorned ex president.

It will be interesting to see. I'm of the opinion that there are more people that simply won't vote for a D and want to see the party move to normalcy rather than people who would bend over and spread 'em for Trump given the chance