“And yet Trump toppled TWO political dynasties to win the 2016 election.”
I think Ted Cruz could also have beaten Billary, Inc. Their negatives were that bad. But he faltered - seen as too hard core Christian fundamentalist in big but “moderate” states - in the primaries. He was also considered a non-establishment person, and I think it was that fact about Trump - considered not part of “the establishment”, that got him some of his primary victories and the victory over Billary, Inc.
The GOP grass roots wanted no more of a Bush dynasty, which was a label rightly set on Jeb and Marco Rubio.
However, I think timing is a big deal in politics, and I think the timing was right for ANY well run non-establishment campaign in 2016, yet that theme would not (in my opinion) have beaten Obama in 2008 or 2012. But after eight years of Bush and eight of Obama the establishment had worn out its welcome with too much of the electorate. I think that theme carried Trump alot, and maybe even most of all. That theme more than any policy specifics is what I think carried Trump.
If Trump broke ranks the most with the GOP grass roots, I think it was on spending. We got major tax reform but not major budget reform nor a big push by Trump for big budget cuts.
All good points. Let’s remember that Trump won in 2016 because he was able to carry Rust Belt states that the GOP hadn’t won in years. He had enormous appeal to independents and even many DEMOCRATS … which is not something that would have translated to any other GOP candidate in 2016 (in my humble opinion).