Does the GOP have their champion waiting in the wings?
If reports that President Trump moved to apply pressure to then FBI Director James Comey to drop the investigation of former National Security adviser Michael Flynn are accurate, then the Republican-controlled Congress may, at last, be forced to deal with this president.
Many, maybe even Trump himself, believe that the president is almost untouchable due to the makeup of the current House and Senate. Certainly, Trump has a much longer leash than a Clinton presidency would have been allowed. And it’s true that the apologists in the Republican delegation massively outnumber the skeptics. It is also accurate to say that some cracks are beginning to show in Trump’s D.C. firewall.
Republican Senator Bob Corker said the administration was in “a downward spiral,” and that all these distractions and lack of discipline “creates a worrisome environment.” GOP Senator Susan Collins was quoted as saying “Can we have a crisis-free day? That’s all I’m asking.” Doug Andres, a spokesman for Speaker Paul Ryan, stated “The speaker hopes for a full explanation of the facts from the administration.”
Tweets from Congressmen Jason Chaffetz, a staunch Trump defender, and Justin Amash also did little to encourage those inside the administration.
The tumultuousness of the Trump campaign as expected has carried over to his presidency. The GOP was certainly not going to do anything about candidate Trump; the White House was at stake. However, his usefulness may have ended the day he was sworn in. The power and control they needed are now locked in, no matter who sits behind the Resolute Desk. Trump’s bombastic, reckless, and erratic behavior may no longer be welcome in the GOP, as it slowly costs the party more and more political capital.
Will the GOP eat its own? Absolutely.
With Mike Pence waiting in the wings the GOP has a much steadier hand and one that is more likely to play ball. Pence understands the Republican platform, their plans, and desires. He is far less liable to veer off course and chase his own rabbits. In Pence, the GOP has the prototype Republican and the perfect replacement to lead them to 2020. No drama, an honest face, and plenty of Washington political experience. Someone Trump supporters, after their initial outrage, could rally around and get behind in future elections.
In Pence, Democrats have far less ammunition to battle the Republican mandates. The fight becomes about the issues only and not the messenger. Discrediting and obstruction become harder because a Pence administration will be much more capable of pursuing and communicating his agenda. You can also expect a Pence staff to be much more moderate and mainstream, again making the message much smoother.
You only need to look at the State of Alabama for a recent precedent. Where 100% of statewide offices are held by the Republican party and have been for most of this decade, the GOP had to deal with its own. Starting with State Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, at one time believed to be the most powerful man in Alabama Politics. He was removed from office after a conviction on ethics violations in June of 2016. Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, a longtime Republican, was suspended from his seat in September for ordering State Judges to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, ending his term as Chief Justice for the second time.
Then in April, Governor Robert Bentley was forced to resign when the Republican controlled state legislature moved to start impeachment hearings, over an alleged romantic relationship with his top advisor, and ethics violations in the wake of the coverup. Bentley won the 2010 election going away and for his first term and a landslide reelection was one of the most popular governors in Alabama history. None of that matters when the winds of change blow in and public opinion turns, even the most popular politicians find themselves abandoned by party leaders.
Make no mistake, the Republican Party enabled and in many ways created this demon, and it will be up to the same party to stop it. Don’t for one second think that they won’t do just that when the avalanche finally breaks loose. Not necessarily because it’s right but because it is expedient.
They won’t worry about the Trump voters, to the Party they were simply useful idiots. Voters who they know with certainty will fall in line with whomever the Party places at the helm. Their Champion is already in the wings.
Trump most likely still feels untouchable, with his sense that the Presidency is some dictatorial monarchy. He assuredly will learn his lesson the hard way, and believe it or not it will be the GOP that teaches it to him.
Photo: Flickr/Gage Skidmore
