Is Trump the First ‘European-conservative’ American Presidential Candidate?

American Thinker ^ | 01/27/2016 | Selwyn Duke

[SeekAndFind]

Ever since Donald Trump's rise to 2016-contender prominence, the rap on him, and perhaps part of his broad appeal, has been that he's not a conservative. And he's not -- he's a nationalistic populist. Yet there's another way to understand The Donald's professed politics: as that of the first prominent "European-conservative" American presidential candidate. He's not so much America's next Ronald Reagan or Barry Goldwater, but her first Marine Le Pen.

A prerequisite for grasping this is first understanding the true natures of liberalism and conservatism. While many have their own definitions of the latter -- and will stubbornly insist they're correct -- the truth is that both political terms are provisional, meaning different things in different times and places. The term "conservative" in the 1970s referred to a communist in the USSR and someone staunchly anti-communist in the US; and a European conservative today, such as Britain's David Cameron, is well to the "left" of our conservatives. Many other examples could be provided, but the point is this: liberalism and conservatism are not ideologies as much as processes. Liberalism is the process of inexorably trying to change the status quo; conservatism is the process of trying to preserve the status quo. Thus, what the terms represent will vary depending on the status quo in question.

And when analyzing the Trump phenomenon, it's clear that it's roughly the same one evident in much of the West, the one fueling the fortunes of Le Pen in France, the Netherlands' Geert Wilders (who has endorsed Trump), Britain's Nigel Farage and Sweden's Jimmie Ã…kesson. He also bears much in common with those figures.

Consider the qualities these European politicians share: they're socially quite liberal. Their views on abortion range from indifference to tolerance to mild skepticism,

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Trump equalling Le Pen is not the worst comparison I’ve seen.

[The Right wing Infidel]

Why is the American thinker joining in on the trump bashing

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Trump equalling Le Pen is not the worst comparison I’ve seen.

Yes, but in so far as IMMIGRATION is a major issue among the electorate ( and in fact THE ONLY MAJOR ONE for many FReepers ignoring all the other issues ), the comparison with Le Penn, Geert Wilders, etc. is quite apt IMHO.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Why is the American thinker joining in on the trump bashing

Where’s the bashing?

[The Right wing Infidel]

Geert Wilders is a great politician , hes the staunchest anti Islam pro israel politician in western europe

[The Right wing Infidel]

Whats bad about Geert Wilders ?

[Graybeard58]

Whats bad about Geert Wilders ?

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He has a funny first name?

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

I like Wilders. I just don't think being staunchly against Islam and pro-israel is enough to make someone the best GOP candidate because there are other candidates here who feel the same but are better on other issues as well.

In Europe, they've bent over so far for the Muslims that a guy like Wilders is essential, precisely because everybody else in their major parties is afraid to bring it up.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Yes, but in so far as IMMIGRATION is a major issue among the electorate ( and in fact THE ONLY MAJOR ONE for many FReepers ignoring all the other issues ), the comparison with Le Penn, Geert Wilders, etc. is quite apt IMHO.

I agree with every word of that. Whether or not that is a good thing is a different question. But I do agree with the comparison.

[Yashcheritsiy]

Considering that modern American conservatism has largely failed, it’s time to try some genuine Tradition instead.

[TWhiteBear]

I think the article continues to miss the point of Trumps campaign.
He is a nationalist pragmatist, not liberal not conservative.
Populist is a support group and not much a formal ideology.
SS

[TexasCajun]

Populist is a support group and not much a formal ideology

What does that say about the over-whelming support from members of the # 1 Conservative forum?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Considering that modern American conservatism has largely failed

American conservatism has not been tried and found wanting, it has NEVER BEEN TRIED at all !

[SeekAndFind]

RE: What does that say about the over-whelming support from members of the # 1 Conservative forum?

I would say that many are putting their bets on HOPE over Experience.

[familyop]

American Republicans and Democrats have been displaced over decades by demographics that more resemble the European “right” and “left.”

[Nucky Thompson]

If a writer (or poster to FR for that matter) doesn’t come out fawning all over Mr. Trump, they are bashing him.

Such thin skin from some who say Trump is so tough.

[rmlew]

No, he’s not. In 2012, Trump said Romney was anti-Hispanic for supporting attrition and current immigration laws. Trump is a liberal taking all of you for fools. Grow up and look at his history.

[rmlew]

Yes, but in so far as IMMIGRATION is a major issue among the electorate ( and in fact THE ONLY MAJOR ONE for many FReepers ignoring all the other issues ), the comparison with Le Penn, Geert Wilders, etc. is quite apt IMHO.
In so far as Trump was to the left of Romney in 2012/13 on immigration and his own immigration plan is that of Kay Baily Hutchinson (amnesty with a plane ticket), he fails this test. If people knew how to be adults and look at facts, not rhetoric, then they would have supported Santorum on immigration and trade. Instead, fools who want to be lied to are following Obama 2.0