Columnist David MartinWatching the progression of how the left deals with Donald Trump has been something else.
A year or so ago I was eating lunch with a couple of left-leaning friends at a popular downtown restaurant. As we dined, one of Chattanooga's most well-known Democrats walked by our table and we all exchanged some brief pleasantries.
At the time, most folks were still underestimating the role the reality star-turned-politician would play in the presidential race. Most were wondering how long it would be before he'd flame out. I admittedly viewed him as a nuisance that would hurt the GOP's chances of winning the White House. I just wanted him to go away.
My lunch friends saw him similarly, but unlike me they wanted him to stay around longer so he would actually sink the Republican ship.
I remember saying something like, "I just hate that we're having to talk about him." To that, our visiting Democrat bigwig laughed and said "Oh, I LOVE that we're talking about him," as he sauntered off. Nowadays, I bet he's muttered something along the same lines as my quote.
He's not alone on the left. Just take a two-minute scroll through any of your social media feeds and you'll see what I mean. The left is in full-on meltdown mode, haughtiness turned to despair.
Now don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with marching and brandishing homemade signs to make a point. After all, that's what much of the right did early in the Obama presidency, especially after the Affordable Care Act passed. But this "the world is ending" bewilderment is a bit much.
It's confusing, too. I mean, Donald Trump is doing almost exactly what he said he'd do when he was on the campaign trail. Aside from him actually winning, nothing he's done should surprise anyone. There have been no sucker punches. Yet we're in a season of wailing and teeth gnashing.
Here's the thing, though. As much as television news loves to show scenes from marches, which might lead people to believe Trump's actions are disapproved by most, many voters approve - even applaud - the bold moves made so far by the Trump administration. Indeed, according to a Reuters poll this week, even the recent travel ban enjoys a 49-to-41 percent plurality of support from the American public.
So here's a heads up to the political left: If you want to start actually winning on Election Day, stop your grieving parties, like, yesterday. Remember those tea party rallies in 2009 and 2010? Those were just window dressings for a larger mobilization, one that led to today's GOP electoral stranglehold on American politics.
To roll that back will be an uphill battle. Because as low as Trump's approval ratings are now, he's likely going to pursue domestic policy change that everyday voters like. Environmentalists may not like it, but thrashing regulations will help create jobs. Fiscal conservatives may have their druthers, but massive infrastructure spending will create even more jobs.
Whereas Democrats seem to prefer socially oriented big government policies that burden the private sector, big government Republicans opt for policies that put a jolt into the private sector. What does that mean? Jobs. And in the words of Democratic strategist James Carville, when it comes to election wins, "It's the economy, stupid."
While mourners are in the streets waving "Not my president" signs and Hollywood celebrities are making self-righteous award show lectures, Oval Office advisers are moving strategies forward that deliver on 2016 campaign promises.
Those promises alone secured a win for Donald Trump. If he's able to deliver on them in the coming years, it will be near impossible to unseat him.
Contact David Allen Martin at davidallenmartin423@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @DMart423.