Donald Trump Can't Forget What Got Him Elected
Robert W. Merry
Politics,
He needs a broad tent but must remain an agent of change.
Now comes the Donald Trump co-option conundrum—mixed with a fair amount of Donald Trump co-option humbug.
The conundrum reflects the questions that face any president-elect—how much to reach out to those who never gave support during the late campaign; how much to demonstrate a willingness to compromise on fundamental issues and commitments expressed in getting elected; how much to emphasize post-election national unity as opposed to concentrating primarily on succoring those responsible for the victory. But of course with Trump—as with, for example, a Ronald Reagan—the conundrum is more stark than normal because they promised major departures from status quo thinking and policies. Thus there is more room for perceiving, or making accusations of, trimming and wobbling.
The humbug also besets any president-elect—quick conclusions of trimming and wobbling by, first, those concerned that he won’t live up completely to what they consider sacrosanct campaign promises; and, second, those who want the man to fail because they despise his philosophy and policies.
So far, Trump supporters have been largely muted in any expressions of concern that Trump ultimately will fail them by bowing to the establishment and elite institutions he ran against. There seems to be an inclination to give him the benefit of the doubt. One strong supporter, commentator and onetime insurgent presidential contender Patrick Buchanan, quoted Churchill’s famous dictum, “In victory, magnanimity!” But he added that the victor should shun promptings that he “reach out” to those upset by his victory and trim or temper his agenda to reassure them. “Trump,” he wrote, “should reject the poisoned chalice. This is the same old con.”
This reflects the feelings of most Trump supporters, who voted for him because they hungered for a departure from what they considered the ossified thinking and failed policies of both parties. The president-elect’s first concern must be to keep faith with these people. That’s simply sound politics; anything less would be indefensible.
Read full article