Carte Blanche: The Future Of The Republican Party, More Pomp Less Trump
“This monarchical language is not only frustrating to hear, but also antiquated, and reminiscent of a time when America existed under the 'righteous' thumb of Great Britain. A time which has long since passed thanks to a little thing called the American Revolution.”
- Ava Hruby
It is best to get it out there now and accept the fact that neither the Republican nor the Democratic parties are going anywhere. Their recent discussions, moderated by the Wall Street Journal, prove they're not moving within their party either. My colleague Ava Hruby articulated this with great skill in her article on the future of the Republican Party. “The future of the Republican party is ambiguous and one that in its entirety leaves much to be considered.” While the discussion lasts less than an hour, it would not take more than the first five minutes to understand how stagnant the party has become. Much of this can be traced back to one haunting spirit that seems more like a possession, taking hold of the party, mainly Donald Trump. Eager not to offend or anger the great leader, praise is quickly heaped upon his name, and then he is hopefully appeased as they move on. While the conversation moves forward, the party platform doesn’t budge. To make matters worse, the fact that there were more Republican pundits involved in the discussion served as an accurate depiction of party bureaucracy at its finest. That is, it took three people to echo the same words and sentiments with no noticeable disagreement among them. For a party that’s supposed to be about small government and higher efficiency, it took three people to represent it in the same monotone and redundant voice. They all agreed about the present state of affairs, lamented about the past, and avoided discussing the future, no matter how often they were prodded. If they were an accurate representation of their party, then perhaps Republicans should change their mascot from the elephant to the ostrich with its head buried in the sand.
Ava highlights, and rightfully so, how lackluster the whole event is. There were no bold new ideas, nor was there an indication of what direction the panelists believed the party or the nation should take. Instead, it sounded more like a budget meeting at some elitist HOA worrying about raising dues on their oldest and most aristocratic members. Exhaustion has gripped the nation and its political leadership. If anything, they admit that the party is waiting for the end of the era of MAGA and Donald Trump so that they can move on. But they never discuss what they may be moving on to. With congenial smiles and soft laughter highlighting their playful banter and witty quips to one another, time passed, and nothing else happened. No plans were discussed to tackle the national debt, to rebuild crumbling infrastructure, or to address the rising cost of living. Instead, more platitudes were heaped upon the foreign policy of the Trump Administration, and the President was called all but omnipotent. The air in the room had to have grown more stale by the minute from what was being vented towards the audience and those watching online. However, despite all of this, and in disagreement with Ava, there was a fair point made about the role that Donald Trump is fulfilling. He is disrupting the system. That is the only statement that can be weighed and measured as categorically true.
“The danger of factional politics, however, is that it gives way to the emergence of extremist sub-parties such as the 'Make America Great Again' movement.”
As the nation nears its 250th anniversary, there is much to be desired about its current state. It is nothing like what the founders would’ve envisioned. There is merit to it, both for better and worse. Despite the current political situation, it wouldn’t have existed in their worst nightmares. Not only is the country polarized between Republicans and Democrats, but there are factions within factions. Conservatives and progressives, RINOs and moderates, socialists and libertarians, all reside within the two major parties. Those who occupy leadership roles in both are doing everything they can to tamp down division in their camp and force a sense of lukewarm, bland unity that lacks energy, originality, or a coherent plan. Nowhere was it more obvious than during the discussion about the future of the Republican Party. The Grand Old Party is increasingly old and utterly lacking in anything grand at all.
Ava took the time to draw a straight line from start to finish of the shortcomings of the conversation that was had. To her credit, she highlighted the most important takeaway from the event, primarily that there was nothing to take away. Good money was spent on the time, energy, and electricity necessary to host and produce that event that will never be returned to the American people, let alone the audience. However, if there was one point that the author should’ve driven home with a stronger emphasis, it’s that the country is not being misled about the state of affairs or the potential of the American people. It would be more accurate to say the country isn’t being led at all. There are no great orators, diligent thinkers, or inspiring leaders to be found in the Republican Party as it exists today. There is one man driving it in any direction that he feels like that day, and the consequences of which he will never live to see. Calling a spade a spade is one thing, but admitting that those who are so eager to speak and lead are blind to what is happening around them and indifferent to the suffering of those they claim to represent seems to be a difficult task beyond measure. What is the future of the Republican Party? If there is one to be found, it will not be in any discussions had by its current leaders or thinkers anytime soon.