The GOP's Authoritarian Frontrunner

Slate ^ | 02/24/2016 | Jamelle Bouie

[goldstategop]

Trump was winning handily with more than 45 percent of the vote and nearly 90 percent of the results counted, to about 23 percent for Rubio and about 22 percent for Cruz. Trump won with every demographic, exceeding Cruz with evangelicals and beating Rubio with more moderate Republicans.

It was a complete rout, and once again, Trump showed he was the only candidate with a coalition that can carry him through the entire primary, bringing working-class whites together with conservative evangelicals and Republican moderates. Indeed, Trump is poised to dominate in next week’s Super Tuesday primaries, where he leads in eight of the twelve contests. By this time next week, Trump could have a commanding lead in votes and delegates. And while it’s possible that this slips away in the face of party opposition, it’s unlikely.

Or, put simply, Donald Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. Period. Yes, Rubio is the favorite of the GOP establishment and Cruz is the candidate of conservative activists, but neither is close to overcoming Trump or turning this multi-candidate race into a one-on-one contest. Absent a major shift in the primary, Trump will reach escape velocity, and for the first time in the modern era, a genuine outsider will win a major party nomination, throwing his host—the Republican Party—into complete disarray. Or, as former Cruz spokesperson Amanda Carpenter said on CNN on Tuesday night, “I’m really struck in thinking about what a Donald Trump nomination would actually mean. I really think it’s the end of the Republican party."

[petitfour]

Leftists hate men who behave like men.

[goldstategop]

The Roman idea of a dictator has nothing to do with the modern concept of a tyrant.

Men would be called to serve with exceptional authority to save their country from a dire fate and to depart from office when the danger passed.

We’re going to find out soon if the American people are prepared to entrust Trump with that role.

[mazda77]

http://www.kelliward.com/

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/12/28/large-number-az-legislators-endorse-kelli-ward-john-mccain/

[PGalt]

“It is coming close to the point I noted some time ago.”

Thanks for your observations, mazda77. Thanks for the kelliward links. BTTT!

[gogeo]

I think it was another FReeper who said:

The Republicans have chosen the form if their Destructor, and it's Donald Trump.

[ncalburt]

When a DC establishment troll like you rants against Trump.
It only confirms my support for Trump.
Good bye to the cheap labor express , cronyism ,and Treasonous treaties like TPP .

[Pearls Before Swine]

Leftists hate authoritarians.

Yeah, like Hillary wouldn't be an authoritarian Frost Queen. Or, that if Bernie somehow got his way, he wouldn't be like a modern-day Trotsky, reordering the economy.

[ScottinVA]

And you had no response to my comment.

Be gone.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Comparing Trump to Hitler seems odd.

Back when schools still taught history, we learned that Hitler quite literally campaigned on a "make Germany great again" platform.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

So, do you think Trump should be allowed to assume whatever dictatorial powers are necessary to "make America great again"?

Do you honestly think that such power, once gained, would be surrendered voluntarily, and that somehow we would then return to a smoothly running republic, with the government respecting its constitutional boundaries?

I'm asking this because I sense from your remarks your approval of this idea.

[ncalburt]

Haha

Tough times for DC establishment tools.

[AustinBill]

Poor analysis. People like Obama and Hillary are authoritarians. Trump is not an authoritarian. Trump is a classic Alpha Male, a creature long thought extinct in America.

By failing to recognize this, Trump's critics are left bewildered by him and confused by what they see. Alpha Males have two primary operational modes: Attack and Protect. Alphas attack viciously any potential challenger to their Alpha status, both as a matter of tactics and to put fear into any other potential challenger (seeing a challenger ripped to shreds tends to lead others to reconsider their potential challenges). So the real purpose of these attacks is to save energy by avoiding unnecessary and fruitless confrontation.

Once the Alpha is accepted in his role, the Protect mode comes into play. In this mode the Alpha is a model of selflessness and self-sacrifice, doing anything to protect the interests of his group and ignoring any distractions from this purpose.

Trump's critics focus on his Attack mode while his supporters see the Protect mode. There is no doubt in their minds that Trump will always have their and the country's best interests at heart and will act vigorously to protect these interests. We're in a political contest, so of course the Attack mode is on full display since the Alpha is in the process of establishing his Alpha status. Once that happens watch for the pivot to Protect mode. Trump will vigorously defend his tribe--first the Republicans against the Democratic challenger in the general election, and then the country as a whole once elected.

Alphas are quick to attack and equally quick to defend once the attacker backs down and acknowledges their Alpha status. We saw this on display with Carson. When Carson was perceived as a threat many were shocked by the viciousness of Trump's attacks on Carson, however as soon as Carson backed down Trump's instinct was to reverse and Protect him (witness the now-famous incident of him standing with Carson before the debate entrance).

We're seeing the same thing with Cruz now. Cruz is a challenger so Trump is in Attack mode. If Cruz backs down, the head-scratching by the pundits will be epic as he moves back into Protect mode. For this reason Trump could still view Cruz as a potential running mate, however I'm not convinced that Cruz could accept that at this point.

[ScottinVA]

Tough times for DC establishment tools.

Perhaps... but entertaining times for me. Enjoy the ride while it's still enjoyable.

[ScottinVA]

I disagree. Trump is most assuredly one who comes in with an authoritarian nature.

He doesn’t emphasize how the greatness of the American people will overcome the challenges the country faces; rather he stresses his own strength and power, not that of the country or its people. His “my way or the highway” approach and continual emphasis on his own “greatness” belie someone who believes he can exercise outsized power for someone who aspires to become this country’s president.

If he does beat the odds and defeat the democrat in November, the strongest indication of his autocratic tendencies will be how he responds to those who oppose him.

This doesn’t imply the “alpha-male” tendencies aren’t present in an authoritarian personality, but the idea Trump isn’t going to chafe at the constitutional checks-and-balances system that restricts governmental power to any one branch is a false one.

[Liz]

Trump is talking about changing the 400 in Congress. He may not be able to clean them all out, but if only 25% were primaried, imagine how that would shake up the establishment.

What establishment?

HOLY HEDGE FUND! Jeb-You/re-Next spent over $125 million on his failed campaign? The GOPe must be choking on the chilled Cristal, Oestra caviar, and stuffed lobster in the country club Grill Room.

==========================================

IMHO, the ignominious collapse of Jeb-You/re-Next drove a huge stake into the heart of the establishment GOPe. Forget erectile dysfunction. The fallout of being politically castrated is devastating to a powermonger.

The GOPe/s de-b***ing began when candidate Jeb said he didn't need the Republican base .... and proceeded to carry on, business as usual, as his numbers sunk into oblivion.

Jeb telling a key bloc of Republican voters to take a hike is the consequence of the country club GOPe demeaning and dismissing conservatives as not being worthy of their elite party.

The entitled Jeb-You/re-Next took it as Gospel when he heard the Bush elders condescending attitude towards conservatives....people to whom the aristocratic Bush/s feel socially superior.

But the GOPe should know this: they will get no pity from conservatives for their woes......

[Liz]

Let's stroll down memory lane "The 2014 Midterm Dem Demolition Derby" and down-ticket state wins have yet to be fully-mined, but this we know:

<><> REPUBLICANS WON STUNNING HISTORY-MAKING ELECTORAL VICTORIES

<><> midterms were a massive and awesome rejection of liberals;

<><> Southern Democrats control not a single governorship, US senator or legislative chamber,

<><> Democrat losses stretch from the Carolinas westward to Texas,

<><> 110 Of 140 Southern States election districts went Republican.

<><> GOP's House majorities are so huge and solid NBC's Chuck Todd says Dems can't recapture losses until 2022.

<><> Some pundits say Republicans have a 100-year majority;

<><> when the next US Senate convenes, 30 lock-stepping Democrats who voted for Obamacare are gone.

<><> Ark and Ill (Clinton hometowns) have Repub governors---important in a prez race b/c guvs control party machinery.

<><> Unprecedented MINN 6th Congressional district---every single House and Senate district went Repub

<><> GOP now controls the MINN State House.

<><> Ohio's historic GOP statehouse takeover (Gun Control is toast)

<><> Ohio's Gov, Lt. Gov, AG, Secy of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer--all R---Sup/Ct - 6 R/1 D

<><> Britt Hume sez: "latino vote is zilch"---"over-50" is significant 30% voting segment.

<><> Republicans unified control: gov/legislature in 23 states (Ntl Conference of State Legislatures factoid).

<><> Repub governorships: Florida, Tx, Ill, Ohio, Mich, MD, Wisconsin, NC, GA, Mass.

<><> GOP holds every congressional seat in Arkansas; first time in 141 years...

<><> Environmentalists fogged out---suffered huge losses.

<><> Gun Control Candidates blitzed.

<><> "War on Women" became a ntl joke.

<><> Clinton's labeled politically useless---most candidates they flacked lost.

<><> Montana, So/Dakota and West/VA Dems were forced to retire; no hope of getting re-elected,

<><> Arizona House recount race went Republican.

<><> AZ Republican McSally wins last open House seat (Dem Gaby Giffords seat),

<><> Repub McSally's win gives GOP 5-4 advantage in AZ congressional delegation,

<><> Repubs hold 247 House seats (Dems 188), the largest GOP advantage since the Truman admin after WWII.

<><> 73 percent of LA's white voters say told they "strongly disapproved" of the president.

<><> Republicans hold the largest House majority in 83 years.

<><> Republicans holds 68 of 98 state legislative chambers.

<><> 2015 Republican grip on state government has not been seen since the 1920s.

<><> Republicans hold or share control in nearly every state (7 states' legislature and Governor are Dem-held).

<><> 12 states, including Missouri, Arizona, Arkansas, NC will push income tax cuts and fiscal reform.

<><> Illinois’ new Repub Governor’s top priority is reforming its nearly-bankrupt public pension system.

<><> Vermont Democrats allied w/ VT conservative Repubs to ward off voter backlash

<><> controversial and seemingly incompetent VT Democrat governor did not get the requisite votes to stay in office.

<><> VT poised to install Vermont's first Republican governor in over four years

<><> Republicans now control two-thirds of the state legislatures.

======================================

The Republican wave did not end in November 2014. Later, Republicans expanded their majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 170th district. Expanding a legislative majority in a blood-red state that twice voted for Barack Obama.

============================================

BTW, remember lock-stepping Dems who voted for Obamacare? Ten of the lock-steppers lost handily in 2014 midterms. 2014 turned into an historic election....for Republicans...Obama loomed large in these victories.

[txhurl]

Very enjoyable post. Fellow Austinite - Lago Vista - here.

Cruz is alpha cerebrally, tempered by Christianity.

[sakic]

Reagan campaigned with a similar slogan.

[Harpotoo]

So it’s authoritarian to be in touch with the problems that the American people have and to want to solve those for them?
That used to be called Presidential and empathetic!

[SaraJohnson]

Trump’s an uppity white boy.