After 4 days of convention I am struck by the titanic change in the GOP from years ago. At the risk of sounding nostalgic, I remember a GOP that was for small government (not anti government), for free trade, for building a strong security network with allies around the world (NATO), pro business and seeing the USA as beacon of freedom and example of human rights and civil society. Trump's speech capped a week where these directions not longer seem to apply.
If Trump wins and implements policies like he talked about, the GOP standard bearers and "establishment" will have to, if they remain true to their values, reject these policies. I know the Paul Ryans of the world think they can amnupulate Trump and get him to back their traditional agenda but I do not think this will satisfy the nativist trend in the party on free trade and immigration.
If Trump loses, is it time for another "autopsy" and the rift between the traditional GOP faction and the Trump led, tea party leaning, nativist trend will split the party in two.... A unified right wing in the USA could splinter into two parties...
As a Democrat part of me drools over this slow burn of the GOP but a better part of me thinks that a strong, center right party that is pro business (not that the Dems are anti business), focused on efficient government and free trade is important for a balanced political dialogue and good government in the USA.
What is happening to the GOP?
If Trump wins and implements policies like he talked about, the GOP standard bearers and "establishment" will have to, if they remain true to their values, reject these policies. I know the Paul Ryans of the world think they can amnupulate Trump and get him to back their traditional agenda but I do not think this will satisfy the nativist trend in the party on free trade and immigration.
If Trump loses, is it time for another "autopsy" and the rift between the traditional GOP faction and the Trump led, tea party leaning, nativist trend will split the party in two.... A unified right wing in the USA could splinter into two parties...
As a Democrat part of me drools over this slow burn of the GOP but a better part of me thinks that a strong, center right party that is pro business (not that the Dems are anti business), focused on efficient government and free trade is important for a balanced political dialogue and good government in the USA.
What is happening to the GOP?
