The Two large American Parties incorporate a range of opinions and special interests that for political necessity canvas under the defined umbrellas.
The problem in the contemporary is that the elites in both parties have become far removed from the mainstream voters and all too often have more in common with each other than they have with their traditional voting bases.
Trump, warts and all, was a reminder of the growing chasm within the GOP. His nomination in 2016 poured ice cold water in the face of the Republican establishment who had grown complacent with respect to individual rights, secure borders, excessive regulation and the culture war. Trump succeeded in knocking the establishment off their perch, not out of a sense of novel ingenuity but out of opportunity. He saw the chance of addressing vital issues that the elites appeared to have brushed off the table and took it feet and all. As for the GOP establishment it stills exist. Very much so. Look no further than Mitch McConnell.
Biden on the other hand is the very face of the Democratic Establishment. It is the only reason he is in office. He won the nomination in 2020 as the Donk establishment managed to launch for the second time - the first being Hillary in 2016 - a successful rearguard attack with the necessary alliances that isolated and saw off the Populist Sanders revolution. Biden will survive as long as he offers utility to the establishment.
The GOP establishment tried the same strategy in 2016 against Trump but could never recover from their backing of several weak horses (Jeb Bush then Marco Rubio). Sanders on the other hand was an easier target to marginalize as he struggled to poll well with minorities and was susceptible to a concerted effort by the big urban party machines that play an outsize role in the Democratic Party.
These same machines have less of an impact in the GOP where grassroots local groups, outside the establishment fray, have traditionally more clout. This worked in Trump’s favour and reinforced his brand. Whether it will help in 2024 (should he run) remains to be seen.
No comments:
Post a Comment