The Trump Phenomenon: Exposing Common Fictions?

Townhall ^ | 01/22/2016 | Jack Kerwick

[SeekAndFind]

One can only hope that the Trump phenomenon will bring into the sunlight several fictions, most, but not all, of which GOP boosters have been promoting for years.

The first is that there are two fundamentally opposed forces within the Republican Party: "the Establishment" and "conservatives," "anti-Establishmentarians," or "outsiders."

In reality, the conflicts that beset the GOP are internecine battles within one political establishment. There is no "anti-Establishment."

Nor is Trump an "anti-Establishment" outsider. Trump has been peddling and receiving political influence for years courtesy of both Republican and Democrat politicians alike. Few "outsiders" have had so many "ins" with the establishment as has Trump.

Of course, if it is nonsense to identify Trump as an "anti-Establishmentarian"—and it is—then it is doubly nonsensical to suggest that Senators Cruz, Rubio, and Paul, or Governors Christie, Kasich, Bush, and Huckabee are "anti-Establishment."

A true outsider, like you or I, wouldn't be able to come within miles of a presidential race while campaigning as a Republican or Democrat.

Third, Trump's Republican critics continually charge that unlike, say, Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio, Trump is not an authentic "conservative." Now, this allegation is true as far as it goes: Trump is not a conservative. But because the allegation doesn't go far at all, it may as well be a lie.

While Trump is not a conservative, neither are his GOP rivals and accusers.

In fact, unless being a proponent of an activist, omnipotent government that exists to spread "liberal democratic" values around the globe is necessary for being a "true conservative," Trump is arguably more conservative than Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and virtually all of the other Republican contenders.

And this gets us to our next, and probably most important, myth to be exposed.

For decades, the so-called "conservative movement" has been largely a neoconservative movement. Neoconservatives have been remarkably successful in convincing millions and millions of Americans both that they are conservative and that the Republican Party and conservatism are one.

The truth, though, is that neoconservatism is no form of conservatism at all. The conservative movement that took flight nearly 70 years ago consisted of multiple strains, it's true, but it was exemplified in many respects by Russell Kirk, the man without whose labor William F. Buckley says it is "inconceivable" that there ever would've been any such movement.

Kirk was a conservative in the vein of Edmund Burke, the 18^th century Irish Parliamentarian who is widely regarded today as "the patron saint" of conservatism. Kirk was painfully aware of the differences between conservatism and neoconservatism, noting that the two were different in kind.

Conservatives in the mold of Kirk favored a wide dispersion or decentralization of power and authority—what is commonly referred to as "states' rights." They opposed all attempts at "leveling," all redistributive schemes designed to alleviate "inequalities." Yet it isn't just utopian domestic visions for which conservatives like Kirk had no use. They disdained idyllic foreign policy plans as well. Hence, before he died in 1994, Kirk denounced the first President Bush's decision to invade Iraq.

Clearly, between classical conservatives and neoconservatives there is a chasm. Yet it isn't just that neoconservatives and conservatives disagree. Upon appropriating the conservative label, a move that involved an exercise in repackaging the likes of which wouldn't be seen again until "gay rights'" advocates redefined marriage, neoconservatives did their best to see to it that conservative voices would no longer be heard—at least not within the Republican Party.

That's right: Sarah Palin and others misspeak when they simply say that "the Establishment" is not conservative. The referent here—neoconservatives—are anti-conservative.

That this giant in the history of the American conservative movement is never mentioned in any "conservative" media outlets today proves that Kirk has been flushed down the memory hole. However, it isn't just Kirk who has been "purged" from the (neo) conservative movement.

Trump's meteoric rise stemmed principally from his tough talk on immigration—an issue that now ranks in no small measure of importance for Americans. Ann Coulter, Trump's most vocal and visible of nationally recognized supporters, has also been superb in highlighting the disaster that is our immigration policy.

Yet for well over 20 years, Peter Brimelow, a one-time associate of Buckley and contributor to National Review, has been writing and speaking tirelessly on this very issue. A veteran when it comes to telling hard, politically incorrect truths, Brimelow's work is second to none in this arena. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to refer to him as a pioneer.

But Peter Brimelow has long been expunged from "the conservative movement."

Paul Gottfried is a scholar of European intellectual history and the American conservative movement. He too was friends with Buckley at one time, as well as a contributor to NR.

Yet that was then, this is now. Paul too has been purged.

The late Joseph Sobran, who at one time was a protégé of a sort to Buckley and a brilliant essayist, found himself unceremoniously ejected from the "conservative" movement, as did the now deceased Samuel Francis (who, remarkably, Rush Limbaugh, to his credit, recently defended on his radio show).

John Derbyshire, a witty, talented polymath, wrote regularly for National Review until just a few years ago when he too was abruptly sacked for a racially incorrect article (that he wrote for another publication).

This list of extraordinarily intelligent, perceptive, and courageous old right thinkers who have been exiled by the self-appointed gate-keepers of "the conservative movement" is hardly exhaustive.

And now neoconservatives continue to presume to tell the rest of us who is truly conservative and who isn't.

If any of the foregoing fictions will crumble to pieces during this most atypical of election seasons, hopefully it will be the fiction that the self-declared guardians of the "conservative movement" are conservative.

[jwalsh07]

The majority of citizens are left of center. If they all vote we lose every national election. What pushes the mushy middle center right is worrying about their security. From internal and external sources. If terrorism and security remain one of the top two issues among voters right of center candidates will do well. If not the gimmee guys and gals will prevail.

[central_va]

The majority of citizens are left of center.

Not according to all the surveys I have seen. Something like 60 - 40 conservative over liberal.

[jwalsh07]

Which is why Obama lost the last two elections 60-40.

[central_va]

Which is why Obama lost the last two elections 60-40.

McCain and Romney were terrible candidates. And Barack had that skin color thing going for him.

Conservatives Remain the Largest Ideological Group in U.S.

[spintreebob]

It is possible to hold a position on immigration that is principled, even if it is different from your position on the issue. Cruz on immigration is principled. Likewise Sanders is principled, even though he is wrong on most issues.

There are many of us conservatives who are not establishment who say: Let the free market decide on immigration. We do not hold that position because of lobbyists.

[central_va]

Principles don’t keep my family housed and fed. H-1B is a direct threat from a foreign invasion to artificially lower the prevailing wage of IT professionals.

[spintreebob]

The word conservative is used in so many different ways that it is meaningless.

Lets start with Reagans 3 legged stool:
Social conservatives
free market capitalists
strong anti-communist national defense
Actually there is a 4th leg...a sense of friendly humor.

One problem is those who want to make a single issue a litmus test. If a person is pro-abortion but also pro-free market capitalist, pro-2A, anti-gay marriage how conservative is he?

If a person is for gun control but conservative on every other issue, then how conservative is he?

If a person is for a big government approach to immigration then how conservative is he?

The 80%test is often used: If he agrees with me on 80% then he is with us.

Is there a different percentage we should use? 60%? 100%?

[Macoozie]

“If he builds a wall and kicks out the interlopers he can then do whatever he wants. We can ditch him in 4 years if he strays to far left, which is something I do not think will happen..”

Yep, You are right on point here.
Close the border.
Deport the Illegals.
LOTS of issues can begin to be resolved.

Revolutionaries rarely survive the Revolution.

The Donald is needed to bring down the Uniparty.
No other candidate running can do it.

[poinq]

So we send lots of “conservative” congressman to DC and we get the Ryan budget. What many of us see is that the republican establishment is one of the problems. Obama is one of the problems. The media is one of the problems. Trump is like picking up a 4 7 10 split. He is not perfect but if he wins you have accomplished so much that its worth almost any sacrifice. He takes away the power of the 30 second spot. He takes away the power of those sanctimonious talking heads who stare seriously at you and lie straight into your eyes. And he takes away the drive to keep people like Graham in office, a republican that always votes against us. Trump is opening a path to elected office that does not go through the back door.

And Bill Maher actually got something right. He postulates that Trump’s success is a reaction to a world that has gone too PC. Like Double Speak, political correctness is a real problem in America. It dumbs down our discourse and it alienates those who would take the contrarian view. And if history teaches us anything, its that the contrarian view is often the right view.

[jwalsh07]

I know that more people identify as conservative than liberal. I also know that a Republican has not gotten as high a percentage of votes as Obama got since Reagan. It is also true that tax policy since Reagan has exempted about 50% of Americans from paying a federal income
tax.

W won twice but never got near as many votes as Obama and actually won with less than 50% of the vote against that puke Gore.

Urban America votes overwhelmingly liberal and there are a lot of votes there which is why Republicans lose statewide elections in Presidential years and win more in off years.

This is just the truth of the matter. If you think America is a 60% conservative country you are dreaming.

[dfwgator]

Trump is the Hail Mary pass, because he’s the only one who has a chance of working, as slight as that chance may be. At this point, there just aren’t a lot of options left.

[central_va]

Life is conservative. 60% live a life of bills, taxes and flat out hard work. They live like conservatives and most vote that way, unless they stay home because the Uni Party candidates do not appeal to them. Which happens a lot.

[jwalsh07]

You are making one big leap of faith and that is that Trumps come to Jesus miracle conversion to conservative maintains if he wins the election. I don’t believe it.

[jwalsh07]

Hey, you see things as you want them to be. I see life as it is even though I prefer your illusion. 95 million working age Americans do not work. Out of wedlock births are astronomical. 50 million on welfare. Etc. Do we live in the same country? :-)

[painter]

Third, Trump's Republican critics continually charge that unlike, say, Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio, Trump is not an authentic "conservative."

Jeb is the LAST person to make that claim! Jeb proudly proclaimed before Trump got in that he was going to win the nomination WITHOUT the conservative base!

[central_va]

Hey, you see things as you want them to be. I see life as it is even though I prefer your illusion. 95 million working age Americans do not work. Out of wedlock births are astronomical. 50 million on welfare. Etc. Do we live in the same country? :-)

I have shown you where 75% of Americans view themselves to be moderate to Conservative yet you will not believe it. this pisses me off because people like you will accept a McCain or a Romney because it appeals to the mushy middle, is that you Karl?

[jwalsh07]

Look partner, you don’t know jackcrap about American demographics and voting patterns in national elections. Your ignorance is off the charts. I can’t help you.

[Albion Wilde]

Ping!

This list provides two daily round-ups of Trump-related titles on FR,
to cut the clutter and simplify finding your area of interest.
If you are a Trump opponent, you won't be happy here.

To be added to or dropped from this ping list,
post your request on the thread below or freepmail to Albion Wilde.

* * *

Selected Trump articles on FR, with links, from 12:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST, 1/23/16:
Free Republic Caucus (daily) Reveals Bias Toward Trump
Trump: Cruz 'could be Canadian prime minister'
The Trump Phenomenon: Exposing Common Fictions?
I Can See 2016 From My House
FNC'S Jesse Watters: National Review "Putting Pure Conservatism Over The Country" ["over" meaning "ahead of nat'l interests"]
Dinesh D'Souza: National Review Won't 'Dent Donald Trump's Real Support'
Reuters Poll Jan 22, 2016 (5 Day Rolling LV) [Trump +6 40.8% Clinton -4 41.4%]
LIVE Stream: Donald Trump Rally in Sioux Center, IA at Dordt College (1-23-16)
Donald Trump op-ed: My vision for a Culture of Life
Trump causes Beltway Republicans to go crazy
The GOP establishment capitulates to Donald Trump [WaPo]
National Review -- a Titanic Failure
New Media Landscape Makes National Review's Pursuit to Take Out Trump Pointless as It is Pouty
Q&A: Donald Trump on Guns, Hunting, and Conservation [Field and Stream]
Donald Trump comes out against letting states manage federal lands? [another take on Field and Stream interview]
More to Conservatism Than a Vibe [Blog & Mablog]
Obama dines with conservative columnists (2009 - Kristol, Will, Krauthammer, Brooks, more)
Barbara Bush Jabs Trump in New Jeb! Ad
Possible Republican presidential candidates in 2016 [Reuters: Trump 40.6%, Cruz 10.5%, Carson 9.7%, more]
Trump: When I get to Washington, I'm Going to Become Part of the Establishment
Trump leads Cruz by 14 points in national poll
LIVE Stream: Two Donald Trump Rallys January 23 in Sioux Center, IA 11:00 (CST) & Pella, IA 2:30 (CST)
NEW Trump Ad-push back against GOPe
BREAKING: National Black Republican Association Endorses Trump
Trump Promises 'Great Management' - We Need Limited Government [one of the milder NR hit pieces]
THE CASE FOR DONALD TRUMP [Jeffrey Lord book review]
One Big Reason To Be Less Skeptical Of Trump [538 - Nate Silver]
SHOCK: Trump's official voting record released by NYC, shows he has been Repub since 1980
Trump-Cruz 2016? If Cruz Isn't Qualified to Be Prez Then How Can He Be VP?
Trump Spokeswoman: Malcolm X Is 'My Idol,' Republicans Are Racist
Bill Gates: US 'should take more' refugees [pile on this thead, freepers]
After Palin Endorses Trump he Rises 6 Points, Cruz Falls 6 Points in Reuters Poll
Free Republic 2016 Caucus Open Discussion Thread IV
Charles Krauthammer Reveals the Candidate He Thinks Is Most Likely to Win the Republican Nomination [predicts Trump]
Which Presidential Candidate Do You Think Might Be An Answer to Prayers? [vanity]
In 2013 and 2014, Donald Trump Funded John Boehner and Mitch McConnell Against the Tea Party [Erick Erickson]
Donald Trump's Iowa Caucus Finder
Fox Poll: Trump, Cruz top GOP race, few 'birther' concerns

[central_va]

Did you think McCain and Romney were good solid conservative candidates?

[marktwain]

“Urban America votes overwhelmingly liberal and there are a lot of votes there which is why Republicans lose statewide elections in Presidential years and win more in off years.

This is just the truth of the matter. If you think America is a 60% conservative country you are dreaming.”

Most of those you are labeling as “liberal” are not motivated by much and do not have principles as such. They got out and voted for Obama, motivated by the Media Cartel. The Media Cartel was all in for Obama because he is black.

The Republicans win stateside elections because the Media Cartel was good at a unified national message for a black presidential candidate, but cannot do the same for 50 states.