Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a witty Irish quip for you: “A boy chases a girl – until she catches him!” Similarly, many conservative Americans have “chased” candidates outside the Washington establishment for many years. This year they “caught” two, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, but like the Irish saying, did they catch the prize, or have they themselves been caught by candidates who will dump their faithful supporters once they are in office? The answer will become clearer as the process plays out. Howexer, one thing is certain. These two men and the record numbers of primary voters who supported them have shaken the political status quo. Whatever transpires, American politics are changed forever, and that’s cause for celebration.
The two leading Republicans are accused by elitists on both the right and the left of tyranny, racism, sexism and bigotry. At this point in our nation’s history, however, if one is reduced to playing the “Hitler,” “race,” “sexist” or “homophobe” card, it simply reflects the desperation of the accuser. Those epithets are so over-used, they rarely mean anything. Label Trump and Cruz what you will, but in your name-calling, don’t leave out “successful.” They both constructed successful campaigns that have appealed to the frustration of many Republican voters.
At the start of the season, I thought Republican poster child Jeb Bush would walk away with the nomination. Then, the Republican debates began and as Americans got to “know” the candidates and their positions, the picture rapidly changed. Bush’s money and connections meant little to the men and women in the trenches who actually make this country work.
Democrats shouldn’t misinterpret titanic changes in the Republican Party as weaknesses. Additionally, they have their own problems. Hillary Clinton’s long presidential campaign began in 1992 with her entry into national politics as first lady. Twenty-four years in politics translates into a lot of political baggage, and she has more than Louis Vuitton. Many Democrats don’t trust her, which is obvious in their flirting with Sanders, a washed-up socialist who promises everything to everyone. Further, where are the youth and energy the Democratic Party once displayed? They don’t exist. Bob Dylan sensed the pulse of the nation back in 1964 when he sang, “The times they are a-changin’ .” The Democratic machine that embraced those changing times is now as old and worn out as bell-bottom jeans and polyester pantsuits.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party is getting a makeover to adapt to our changing world. It should emerge from this fight stronger and more focused; however, that fight is not yet over. The Republican leadership could force a “brokered convention” in which they would strike a back-room deal to bring in their own candidate, despite how rank-and-file party members vote. However, those power brokers know an obvious attempt to thwart their party’s faithful will be detrimental or even fatal. Whatever the outcome, the old days of Republicans making deals with leftist ideologues and ignoring the will of their conservative base are gone. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz capitalized on that frustration. I don’t know if either man is as good as his lofty promises, but I’m hopeful – for the first time in years.
Thomas Jefferson said, “When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” Republican elites have done little to oppose Obama’s tyranny over the last seven years, and now they condescendingly oppose those who vote against their puppet candidates. They fear losing their tight reins of control. That desperation was obvious in Mitt Romney’s appeal last week and in the rhetoric of blue-blood Republican pundits and media sources. The Wall Street Journal, many at Fox News and many on these pages are particularly caustic in their attacks on Trump and Cruz. They are afraid.
Mr. Jefferson is surely smiling.
Roger Smith, a local author, is a frequent contributor to the Times Free Press.