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Containing Trump
Let’s assume that my prediction is wrong and that, on the evening of November 8, President-Elect Donald Trump gets to say “Hillary, you’re fired.” Liberal heads explode, NeverTrump garments are rended, and — while everyone has their suspicions — no one can prove that Jeff Sessions intentionally popped that champagne cork into Ben Sasse’s eye. Let’s further assume that Republicans hold the House and — to make matters interesting — say the Senate is split 50-50.
Come 2017, Trump and the new Congress are sworn in and… things go well. Construction begins on the Wall, the Chinese start behaving, Speaker Paul Ryan passes some sensible-if-underwhelming ObamaCare reforms, and Attorney General Rudy Giuliani accepts the FBI’s new recommendation to indict Hillary Clinton following the latest WikiLeak revelations. Then, out of nowhere, Ruth Bader Ginsburg announces her retirement so she can spend more time with her cats. In response, President Trump nominates a previously-unheard-of immigration judge (and close friend) from Staten Island as her replacement*. Journalists quickly discover that the judge — though tough on immigration — believes that Roe and Casey are subject to stare decisis, opposed Heller and McDonald, and has written several articles defending Kelo and Obergefell as “misunderstood.” When conservatives balk, Trump takes it as a personal insult to his friend and doubles-down on the decision, saying that if conservatives won’t make a deal, he can look elsewhere. Simultaneously in Paris, Boston, and Phoenix, three EEG monitors that had lain dormant for months begin to show signs of activity.
What do we do in that circumstance? When George W. Bush went off the reservation and nominated Harriet Miers, conservatives’ anger was able to manifest itself through establishment, ideological, and populist channels such that Bush eventually smartened-up and withdrew the nomination. For obvious reasons, these levers will have less effect on Trump who, after all, will be riding pretty high at this point while the glue is still drying on the newly-reformed conservative movement.
Game it out, Ricochet. We may need to.
* This character is an invention.
Published in Domestic Policy
I don’t remember any conservatives who said this. Some moderates sure, but conservatives rejoiced in Reagan’s victory. ICsertainly don’t recall National Review wringing its hands.
Hey, boy. You look awful purty, and sweet smellin’ too…
If I could, I’d kiss you right on your doggie lips, for this.
No, because in my America, anyone can grow up to be President. Old fashioned I know, today it requires kissing the rings of the donors, the media and the ‘true conservatives’ to be accepted as a candidate to some.
In my America, we do not give up as long there is a sign of life. This may be the last chance for the Republic, but it is worth saving, in my estimation.
Right now I think he’s running for UN Secretary General. SCOTUS would be the consolation prize.
No, it just assumes it as a necessary condition of being true.
The people who have been wrong, WRONG and WRONG about what Trump will do for the past 12 months – and for 18 months if we play out this scenario – continue to think they have a clue.
I congratulate my fellow Ricochetti on their civility toward Tom. I would not have done nearly this well in this conversation…
Clinton = 100% conservative fail
Trump = 85% conservative fail
Gee… give me a minute…