How desperate is the Republican Party’s situation? This desperate: Its leaders are reduced to telling the nation Don’t worry, if our nominee is elected, we can keep him in check.
Now would be the perfect time to go off on a tangent about Hindenburg thinking he could control Hitler if he became chancellor, but I won’t.
Instead, I’ll share the WSJ story that inspired this post:
McConnell, Ryan Use Balance-of-Powers Argument to Reassure Voters
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan appear to be on opposite sides of the Donald Trump question, with the senator backing the party’s presumptive nominee for president and Mr. Ryan still holding out.
But in one aspect they are very much on the same page. When asked about Mr. Trump, his effect on the party, or his prospects this November, each responds by talking about the importance of the legislative branch. Congress, they say, will assert itself again after eight years of an administration they see as having severely skewed the balance of powers.
Implied in their message is the assumption that they will be able to protect the prerogatives of the institution because they’ll still be running it. And that’s part of their underlying point: Keep us in charge, and we’ll keep the president—whoever it is—in check….
So… you’re saying Trump would somehow be a less assertive executive than Obama? And that when you failed, by your own account, to control this president when your party hates him and opposes everything he tries to do, and your party also controlled Congress, you will nevertheless be able to lead your minions to stand in the way of a president of their own party?
Tell me another one, gentlemen.
Here’s another idea: Have a little self-respect, and get behind Bill Kristol’s effort to launch an electoral challenge by an actual conservative:
Just a heads up over this holiday weekend: There will be an independent candidate–an impressive one, with a strong team and a real chance.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 29, 2016
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They’ll “control” Trump when the Greeks reckon time in kalends. Don’t they realize that Trump can play the demagogue card to the hilt, forcing either to risk infuriating their base or to go along with him, rubber stamping whatever he wants.
Words describing Trump at today’s presser: peevish and petulant (not my words). Check the news coverage.
Fine words, which I should seriously consider in my quest to find an acceptable replacement for “idiot,” which I’m told doesn’t win me friends.
I ran across a good one rereading HMS Surprise the other day: outré.
Nice, huh? I’m looking for the right moment to trot it out…
I thought the same when I read the post about your discomfort using “idiot” (which certainly can be pejorative). Outré is a fine word, and I’m looking forward to seeing how you “trot it out.”
You shouldn’t be insulting idiots. Trump is much more odious.
Trump is a white male and, lately, a Republican. The media will cut him no slack whatsoever.
Hillary, on the other hand, will get the same treatment Obama does, mostly fawning. He can illegally divert billion$ and the media yawn. He’s their guy and Hillary will be their gal.
What’s really a hoot is that while folks love to call Trump an authoritarian, they overlook the fact that Hillary is the totalitarian.
I think the majority is in agreement that, as the two candidates in this race, they both suck.
” . . . get behind Bill Kristol’s effort to launch an electoral challenge by an actual conservative”
Reportedly, er, David French?
No one can control Trump’s mouth, not even Trump.