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Politics in Washington DC is known for many things, the first of which being that paybacks are quite expensive, in some instances even a fatal blow to careers. Occasionally it can be quite banal when political survival requires a bureaucrat or a law maker to stoop to extremes. It is not as if nepotism and cronyism are the names of the game in the capital city; but political obeisance would seem to be the order of the day. And nothing exemplifies this more than the kind of iron grip President Donald Trump has on the Republican party, especially in the movement he created—the Make America Great Again (MAGA).
One of the dreadful seasons in America is elections time, the intense focus especially in the primary time when those aspiring to retain their seats or jostle for one make sure they not only have sufficient financial backing but also the endorsement of the one that really matters. In today’s scheme of things, it is what President Trump has to say, not at rallies but more so in the wee hours of the morning through his posts on Truth Social.
“The Revenge Machine” as what it has come to be known has already taken a toll of three prominent law makers. It is not what President threatened those who went against him but a solemn promise that they would be “primaried.” And Republican law maker from Kentucky in the House of Representatives, Thomas Massie; and Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana found out the hard way. The third, Texas Senator John Cornyn is still trying to figure out how he fell out of grace and so are his colleagues in the Grand Old Party.
The retributions are not just for voting against the President’s favorite bills in the House or the Senate. Senator Cassidy was remembered for having voted to convict during the second Impeachment. Five Indiana State Senators found out the hard way when they lost their primaries for opposing or refusing to redraw their state’s map that would be advantageous for the Republican party. But the bottom line had always been clear: bending the knees or kissing the ring, not literally of course.
But there are many in the Republican party who are not thrilled at this revenge game which in their view could actually turn out to be counter-productive on November 3 Mid Terms or all the way until January 2027 when the new Congress gets to be sworn in. There is a feeling that Republicans will lose the House of Representatives, the question is by how much. And latest polls show that Democrats have a chance in the Senate also; and appear energized as President Trump has waved off Senator Cornyn in Texas.
What the White House is being reminded is that law makers may have been “primaried” but still have months left in office. Or as Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski put it: “Even though Bill Cassidy lost his primary, he is still a voting member of the Senate until January. There are still many, many weeks — many months — to go before the election. And this president is going to have to continue to deal — and work with and partner with or battle with — this group of lawmakers.”
The notion that intimidating law makers and bureaucrats is something new is as wrong as it is naïve. Neither is President Trump the first to use “colourful” language with or without expletives. There was Democratic President Lyndon Johnson who was known especially for his crass language and also a person who believed in absolute loyalty even amongst his staffers. Johnson is known for many of his folksy comments, but one often cited for his expectations is: “I want real loyalty. I want someone who will kiss my a** in Macy’s window, and say it smells like roses.”
It is for historians to decide how or the extent to which Presidents Johnson and Trump went about dominating individuals or law makers. Certainly President Johnson had blunt ways of demonstrating political dominance, often remembered for his crude remark, “I’ve got his pecker in my pocket”. But the burly Texan had also a plan to manage dissent: “… it’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.”
Leading up to the primary season ahead of the November showdown, topics of revenge and retribution may hog media limelight but there are a lot of things in the minds of Republican party elders and faithful other than saying goodbye to the Massies and Cassidys. President Trump may have a solid grip on the MAGA movement or even the party, but cracks are becoming visible that cannot be papered over by redistricting and court rulings.
Even within the Republican party, President Trump’s standing in traditional bases of support is seen to be slipping: the schism between urban and suburban voters, among non-college educated white youth, Independents and with Hispanics and Blacks. On the policy front, the President has the lowest approval rating of about 34 percent, much of the low score attributed to the state of the economy thanks to the war in Iran, the rising prices of gas at pumps and reflected in grocery stores.
The redistricting plan which has been put in place partly to ensure that Republicans have an edge and continue to maintain a majority in the House may have been energised by recent lower and Supreme Court rulings; but few are sure if this alone is enough in the face of an expected Democratic wave that will have an impact on the remaining two years of Trump Presidency. With talk of Iran War Two in the air, it remains to be seen if the likes of Congressman Massie and Senator Cassidy will have their last laugh.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.
