Historian Meacham: GOP 'sold their soul for power and the check bounced'

[highplainsdem]

http://thehill.com/homenews/media/380418-historian-meacham-gop-sold-their-soul-for-power-and-the-check-bounced

Presidential historian Jon Meacham on Tuesday said that Republicans "sold their soul" to President Trump "and the check bounced."

"I think Republicans who are only now saying out loud what they had to know in their hearts, which was that ultimately this unconventional nominee — they sold their soul for power and the check bounced," Meacham, who also serves as executive editor and executive vice president at publishing giant Random House, said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

The perspective from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author comes as the president is battling multiple controversies, including allegations of an affair by adult-film star Stormy Daniels and special counsel Robert Mueller’s continuing investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential race.

-snip-

"They haven’t gotten what they wanted," Meacham said of Republicans. "They have a Supreme Court justice [Neil Gorsuch], they have a tax bill, but you know what? One of those other Republican presidents who would be a more conventional and dignified figure would have given them that and they wouldn’t have to be pulling out of races saying that this president is untenable."

"So I think this late discovery of what should have been discernible is fascinating," Meacham said.

-snip-

[gratuitous]

1. There are some rumblings of discontent

Certainly the rumor floated by Rep. Amodei of Nevada that Paul Ryan is eyeing the exits indicates deep, deep fissures in the Republican camp. Ryan has been a singularly ineffective Speaker, but since his ultimate government aim is not to govern, he's played off his record of non-accomplishment as just what his phonytarian philosophy demands. Rumors fly in Washington all the time, but for a back-bencher like Amodei to publicly diss the boss like that is usually a ticket to political purgatory if not outright hell. We'll see what happens to Amodei in the days and weeks to come.

The Republicans are keeping a lid on their differences right now, but it's mostly a cosmetic thing. Certainly the popular media are trying hard not to notice anything out of the ordinary is happening, so I think the problems will stay papered over for a little while. Does that mean a month? Three months? Six months? Not sure, and something could happen at any time that will close the betting window. The Republicans are expending a great deal of energy just to appear normal. That's a very small return for a big expenditure, and they can't keep it up forever.

A few more defections, a few more retirement announcements, and a few more flipped seats, and the Republicans can't help but wonder why they're so heavily invested in running the place.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

2. "Republicans are expending a great deal of energy just to appear normal"

Can't be done. Not to any sane person capable of rational thought. Normal my ass.

[Wounded Bear]

3. The check hasn't bounced yet...

but if we can "drain the bank account" this Nov, we can trigger that outcome.

[flibbitygiblets]

4. All is well!

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