Was GW a precursor

[Hippo_The_Pointer]

5. PNAC showed the way

To me, more than GW, it was PNAC who showed the way. They demonstrated that the GOP would sell the presidency to anyone who could bring large amounts of cash to the table (no matter the true origins of that money be it domestic or foreign). Through strategy and savvy marketing the PNAC (and others they allied themselves to) chose their figure head (GW) and took control. Cheney, was there to help. We all know how Cheney's 'search' for a VP worked out. Oh my! Quelle surprise the PNAC had their man in the seat of power. A consequential VP just like GW said he wanted (and the PNAC wanted presumably).

Having understood the PNAC's template, the stage was set for others to follow suit. Find yourself a figure head and take control from behind the scenes. Putin, Mercer, Bannon, et al simply followed the PNAC path.

Well at least that is potentially part of what happened. History is a complicated thing with many strands, but I see a pattern of behavior behind both GW and tRump.

The Hippo