What many ideologues of the party line don't realize is that most people are a mix of political views. For example, just because somebody favors low taxes and market deregulation doesn't mean that they're on the same page as evangelicals on social issues, and conversely, you have people who are strong social conservatives who benefit from and support aspects of the welfare state like social security and medicare.
Most people are less concerned about ideological purity than whether their own issues of most concern are addressed, and so are willing to forgive "heresy" on issues they may have opinions on but put on the back burner. For instance, I'm willing to let not only social issues but market deregulation slide if we get a candidate who is strong on the national question, because if the US is transformed into a Latin American outpost there won't be much of an economy left to deregulate.
Totally agree. Pragmatic politics with a pro-American position is what we need right now.
The Establishment is filled with pragmatists. The term “pragmatist” has essentially become synonymous with liberal in the US.
Trump has been very specific about what he wants to do. Most of that is what conservatives want: economic growth and good jobs; national security; secured borders and legal immigration; fair trade; respect for the law and law enforcement; local control of education; lowered and simplified taxes; robust middle class; limited government; respect for Christianity; and reduced regulations that harm economic growth. If he get this stuff done, I’ll be happy regardless of labels.
Good article. It’s common sense that we need in this country right now, and that’s what a pragmatist is. I agree, Trump is a pragmatist.
Correction, not a liberal or conservative but an egotistical opportunist.
Trump first, everything else doesn’t matter.
I agree with Mychal Massie. Trump is not a hardcore conservative but since he agrees with about 90% of what Mr. GG2 and I think he isn’t a Liberal because we are conservative. Here’s the deal I have said he’s a natural born problem solver and he’s conservative enough. I want to elect the guy and turn him loose for four years and see what he can accomplish.
Folks one thing Trump is really right about, the politicians are not gonna get you to the promised land.
“As a pragmatist, Donald Trump hasn’t made wild pie-in-the-sky promises...”
Universal healthcare.
There is no such thing as not having an ideology. You have to make a choice on every single issue. Women or gays in the military? Pro-life or pro-choice? Low tax or high tax? Expand NSA surveillance or limit it? Go to war with a country or don’t? Close government agencies or leave them open? Open relations with Cuba or don’t? Subsidize ethanol or don’t?
There is no such thing as a “pragmatic” approach. Pragmatism can only be used as an excuse to not take responsibility for what your beliefs and ideology are.
Pragmatist = Rudderless
Trump is right on trade, right on immigration, right on the 2nd amendment, right on GOP corruption.....and without those NONE of the rest of it matters. And the best thing....
Trump is NOT a lawyer! Our founders wanted CITIZENS elected to serve. Trump is the only one on those stages who can be called...MISTER!
Trump is a pragmatist. The people supporting him are something else.
I'm angry, listening to our current Lecturer-in-Chief tell us we suck in this country. That we are the reason behind all of the world's problems. And that our failing economy is bustling and doing great. And that our foreign policy has solved all of the world's hotspots. Lie upon lie upon lie.
And I am sick and tired of listening to the two new losers on the scene, Sanders and Clinton, tell us that we don't pay enough in taxes so all of the deadbeats can get free sh*t and, as a result, our national debt needs to double or triple to make all of these losers in society comfortable at the expense of all the hard-working, taxpaying folks.
And I am pissed that Republicans keep foisting upon us the weakest candidates there are and who can't beat the cheating democRATS. And when they do lose, they crawl user the covers with the RATS and act like they are working hard to do the bidding of their constituents. B.S.
So I agree with this author. Trump is a pragmatic businessman who has a history of making things happen. Of solving problems. Of getting it done. I cringe at his comments sometimes, but I don't let that obscure the fact that this guy is the best opportunity this country has had in a long time, to save our ass from continued failure.
If you are looking for another Ronald Reagan or conservative perfection in this campaign, you won't find it. I will support the problem-solver.
Liberal "pragmatists" would like to apply eminent domain to everything, everywhere, all the time.
Trump is a PRAGMATIST. He is neither a ideologue nor religious fanatic nor fiscal fanatic nor abortion fanatic.
Trump’s whole life is solving problems. He sees a problem, he gets to work on solving it.
First proof of that was how quickly he fixed the problem with the ice skating ring in NY city. That is his mode op operation. See a problem, devise the best solution, and go to work on it. Latest example of that is the US Post office in Washington DC. He observed the potential of it’s location, and put in a very high bid which nobody could beat. And now he is building the most luxurious hotel in DC there. With his knowledge and experience in construction of large buildings, it is already ahead of schedule and under budget.
Americans would be stupid to reject Trump and install another know nothing, smooth speech maker career politician as president. But do not hold your breath. We Americans have been electing lot of people who never worked in the private sector, and have been cashing government checks all their life. We will get the president our intellect deserves.
"Pragmatist" is a meaningless title.
Ideology guides pragmatic decisions.
So what is Trump's ideology? His tangle of ever-changing positions doesn't provide a clear picture.
I think that’s right. We don’t need an ideologue in the White House. He’s a patriot, which is fundamental. He’s looking at everything through the lens of what’s best for America and Americans. That alone is worth more than an encyclopedia worth of economic theory. Next, he’s got decades of experience sitting at the desk where the buck stops. He’s made his mistakes and taken his knocks, but that experience is golden. No more of this manchild in the White House blaming everyone and everything except himself for all that’s gone wrong. He also clearly leans conservative. Any thinking 70-year-old who is not a liberal ideologue is going to lean conservative, and he definitely does. But no he’s not a true believer, and that’s OK with me.
He’s a liberal Rino.