When Donald Trump announced his candidacy in June, one could hardly have foreseen the implications of his decision. His immediate success seemed a catastrophe for moderates and liberals, not only in the US, but worldwide. And yet, in what could be the political paradox of the century, Trump’s ascendancy might very well benefit the leftist cause, breaking a century-long stalemate in American politics.
By now it is evident. Trump has divided and demolished the Republican Party, ensuring its downfall. Exposing the patchy nature of the Republican base, the Donald’s rise unmasked the base of the Party, revealing the racistpopulism that lies behind. This revelation is likely to alienate the moderate conservatives from the ‘Party of Lincoln and Regan’. Even high-profile republicans, from former nominee Mitt Romney to Karl Rove, attacked the likely nominee, an unprecedented move in American politics. To describe the Party as divided would be an understatement. Marco Rubio’s pathetic and desperate swing at Trump by implying the brevity of his anatomical form, and the recent competition with Ted Cruz on who has the more attractive wife are setting the political tone for the next generation of Conservative leaders.
But the best is yet to come. American conservatism and the Republican Party are facing what can only be described as a Catch 22, especially considering Trump’s overwhelming but not majority support. Picking Trump as nominee would mean alienating the moderate Republicans and an almost certain defeat in the Presidential race, whoever the Democratic nominee might be. It is hard to envisage the Elephant party surviving this debacle. And yet, the alternative is by no means more rosy. Robbing Trump of his nomination, be it a legitimate scheme or a treacherous one, will split the party even further due to the intransigent support of Trump’s followers. Hardly a tamed crowd, as demonstrated by the violence displayed at almost every Trump rally so far, it’s unlikely that the magnate’s supporters will accept such an arrangement.
The fact that Donald Trump is supplying such a laudable and unknowing service to his country should not prevent his condemnation as a populist and a danger (unlikely as it may be). But do not panic. Trump really will “make America great again” by ending the American political stalemate, which saw its polity ruled by two conservative parties, just one slightly more liberal than the other. Trump’s rise is a blessing in disguise. A very good disguise, but a blessing nonetheless.
