Posted on 09/14/2015 2:56:54 PM PDT by Kaslin
Marc Ambinder, writing at The Week, seems to have taken the next leap in the evolution of American politics this season and – at least as an exercise in theory – asked us to consider what a Trump presidency would look like. While the primary could still play out in any number of interesting ways, it seems well past the point where such a future can be entirely written off so Marc isn’t submitting this to some science fiction outlet. It’s true that supporters of the more “conventional” candidates could all coalesce around one Anti-Trump over the fall and winter and set up for a sweep of many early states in the primary, but that’s hardly a sure thing. And if he makes it through that process and Hillary Clinton somehow remains out of jail long enough to be the Democrat nominee, there are early indications that he could pull off what seemed completely impossible only 90 days ago.
So what would happen? Marc’s first bit of prognostication includes the idea that Democrats would be placed in the position which their opponents held previously… they would become the Party of No.
So if he became president, he’d face unprecedented and implacable opposition from the Democratic Party, which might be tempted to pilfer from the playbook of the pre-2015 Republicans and become the anti-governing party, so toxic to their sensibilities would Trump be by the time he’s inaugurated.
But some of the opposition would be petty. If Trump made a move on immigration and Democrats blocked it, fine. If Trump proposed and found a coalition to reform entitlements and reconfigure the tax code, Democrats would find themselves opposing Trump just because he’s an offensive, not-nice person of privilege. They’d have descended to his level to spite him.
One of the bigger questions that will no doubt be on people’s minds is the matter of war and peace. Trump talks tough to everyone, foreign and domestic alike. And if other nations didn’t toe the line to his satisfaction would he be ready to literally pull the trigger?
Can you imagine Donald Trump’s finger on the button? Today, a president can execute an emergency war order in less time that it takes to get a cheeseburger at McDonald’s. Russia is once again baring its teeth, and a President Trump might have to contend with its incursions into NATO countries, triggering, one presumes, some sort of military response.
Despite all of his bombast, Trump hasn’t called for nuking anyone. In fact, he seems to understand that effective foreign policy requires some continuity. He opposes Obama’s Iran negotiations, but he’s said that, as president, he’ll make damn sure than Iran keeps its word.
Frankly, while I don’t agree across the board with Ambinder’s conclusions, a hypothetical Trump presidency probably wouldn’t be all that scary in terms of End Times scenarios. Conservatives would probably be unhappy when he wound up supporting some tax increases and going wobbly on gun control bills. Liberals would be furious with him on the policy front regarding… well, just about everything else. But for all the bombast he loves to display before the camera Trump doesn’t strike me as somebody who would go into full suicidal, plunge off the cliff mode. He’d be lambasted in the international press for his rough edges when talking to foreign leaders but not to the point of kicking off a new world war. He’s just not that stupid.
The real issue with a Trump presidency (at least in my dark little heart) is the question of whether or not he’d even finish his first term. Facing the reality of being unable to get anything substantive done without the blessing of Congress – at least on the policy front – would probably drive The Donald to distraction. And when he finds out that we actually would have to pay for a wall on the southern border (or at least most of the cost, anyway) he would likely be glum. How long would Donald Trump stick around in a job if he grew to hate it?
And now I’ll have to go off and begin pondering who Trump might pick for his running mate. It might become important.
What is this Kaslin? Hit piece #746?
First thing he needs to do is to order the Justice Department to launch an all out assault on every member of the previous administration, their donors, supporters, friends and relatives.
The core concentration of crime and corruption in America lies within that group.
What bull. No matter what hysterics revolve around The Donald, he’s no more likely to push the button than any other American - including the corrupt and evil Obama.
He’ll probably make a very decent President as long as he gets good people surrounding him. And I think he’s determined to bring good people in.
Go, Donald. And bring Mr. Cruz in with you! And obliterate little Rand Paul while you’re out it this week. A nice pat on the head of Jeb Bush would be nice, too.
Evidence that the RAT class is panicking.
Imagine one of the myriad of wet noodle GOPE candidates taking office. ...They sit on their status quo hands and let Dems run government.
One thing The Donald isn’t is a quitter.
I guess people who are paid to put words out for for print have to think of something or they won’t eat.
As for the nuke button...I recall that a former KGB spy said on 60 minutes that the Russians were afraid of Reagan because they thought he might actually hit the button.
Daily primary Trumpbash piece for Monday, September 14, 2015
A nice pat on the head of Jeb Bush would be nice, too.
Imagine el primer término de una presidencia de Yeb Bush
If Donald should pull it off, it would be hard to argue that it was anything but a sweeping mandate to kick some ass and send a lot of people to prison for a long, long time.
“Can you imagine Donald Trump’s finger on the button?”
YES.
Next question...
First thing he needs to do is to order the Justice Department to launch an all out assault on every member of the previous administration, their donors, supporters, friends and relatives. The core concentration of crime and corruption in America lies within that group.
Even the Crony Capitalists that are some of his closest friends?.. or relatives?..
Raise your hand if think this will happen..
(then slowly back away from your keyboards.)
Trump's Rolodex is brimming with top talent across the board who have spent their careers being successful in getting things done in the real world, not political hacks who have spent decades maneuvering within the well-worn corridors of power in DC.
That's one of the real reasons why Trump will be an effective Chief Executive. He'll handle the big picture and will use the presidential bully pulpit like nobody else, and will hire the best to execute the plan. As he always says, it's called management.
Like taking Pig Pen from Peanuts and trying to clean up the mess with a spray bottle
Once you finish with tem there are “ranks” of Komrades who now are exposed...
All this isgood if it bets change, if it is just a vendetta of blood letting with no result, then you are no better than they are
That’s what I was wondering????
This guy must not have anything to do in life!!!!
It is the Immune system fighting back against a cancer. Yeah, the cancer won't much like it.
Actually, Trump will do JUST FINE.
Without a doubt, he’s watching how Obama is able to sidestep Congress and the Courts, and when the Dems and the Robes try to stop him - he’ll simply IGNORE THEM when necessary, or when they overstep...and finally get this country straightened out.
I have NO DOUBT that Trump will be the MOST EFFECTIVE president in US History. In the end, we may wind up THANKING Obama for showing how the Executive Branch can get its power back.
El jefe es muy simpatico.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.