Newspaper Columns

Witnessing political upheaval

by | Mar 31, 2016 | Newspaper Columns | 0 comments

The political pundits are distracted.  They are captivated by fireworks under the Republican tent. But they take no note of maybe an implosion in the Democrat tent.

First, the fireworks.  Trump causes the biggest of them, of course. But Cruz has lit the fuses for a few bursts as well. Trump is a total outsider.  Cruz is a partial outsider. Both are loosening the grip the insider elite have on the party.

Because of them there is no question the party must adapt and adjust to new realities. Voters demand it.  And so, heads will roll. Have to. The Bush side of the party has lost its cred.  The elite that called the shots before, shot themselves in the foot.  Many of the cardinals of the party will be defrocked.

If they rally and deny Trump the nomination the party will be finished as we know it.  Because millions will cry foul and vow never to vote Republican again. The party cannot afford such a revolt.

To me it seems obvious: Republican leaders are going to have to stomach The Donald.  And will have to accept the dramatic changes he will inflict on their party.

The Democrats and pundits love the tumult. They predict a crackup for the Republicans. Ahh, but they may be whistling through the graveyard.

Here is a scenario that is very possible: Trump wins the nomination.  Trump wins the White House.

What would that do to the Democrat Party?  It would devastate it.

The party has lost ground for years. It has lost many state legislatures. Lost many governorships. Lost the House.  Lost the Senate. Republicans hold more state legislative seats than at any time since 1854.

Suppose Democrats now lose the White House. What then? A loss will certainly collapse the immense Clinton machine. And it won’t do the Obama section of the party much good either. Neither group will have credibility.  They will both be branded losers. Both will be accused of leading the party off a cliff. Thus, a vacuum.

Who will fill it? Socialists led by a 74-year-old independent?  Not too likely.  Up-and-coming prominent Democrats? Who are they? The party’s losses over the years have thinned their ranks. The Clinton machine smothered others.

If Hillary loses to Trump I think the party will implode. Open battles will rage for the takeover of the party from the losers. In other words this election may cause massive re-making of both parties. In our history few Americans have witnessed anything like this.

If the scenario plays out many will credit Trump.  In reality, the change was coming.  He saw and sensed the opening.  Once again the times and conditions will have created our leaders.  He heard his cue and acted.

The reality is that both parties have become corrupted by influence buying and influence peddling.  Both are guilty of hearing the noise from special interests and their big money.  While growing deaf to the concerns and anger of too many voters.

If Trump wins the White House both parties will have suffered disarray and disruption.  Their old leaders will have been buried by radical change.

These are extraordinary times.  For one party to go through such eruptions is somewhat normal.  For both to do so at the same time…?

Changes of this type are supposed to signal health in democracies. Those who suffer from the changes will not feel anything healthy is going on, of course.

There are a lot of “ifs” in the above. They make life interesting, eh?  Hang onto your seats. Stock up on popcorn and refreshments. You may well be witnessing dueling upheavals of our political parties.  And if you just muttered “It’s about time!” you will enjoy this the most.

From Tom…as in Morgan.

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