Back in June, I wrote an article documenting the similarities between the 2016 Trump campaign and the 2008 campaign of Barack Obama. In that piece, I pointed out how both candidates possessed the narcissistic habit of blaming others for their self-created problems, their open contempt for the need to be transparent, and their ability to find ways to avoid suffering the consequences for doing the wrong thing. I also showed how the most troubling similarity could be seen in the cult-like unconditional acceptance of their supporters—even in the face of ethical conflicts.
Unfortunately, recent events have confirmed my conclusions.
We have already seen Trump ditch the promises he made to get elected, as the New York liberal quickly shifts his focus back to his own self-interest. This was confirmed in a recent National Public Radio interview with one of the many political opportunists now worshiping at the altar of Trump, Newt Gingrich, when he stated that the president-elect is abandoning his commitment to “drain the swamp.”
“I’m told he now just disclaims that. He now says it was cute, but he doesn’t want to use it anymore . . . he’s in a different role now. I’ve noticed on a couple of fronts, like people chanting ‘Lock her up,’ that he’s in a different role now and maybe he feels that as president, as the next president of the United States, that he should be marginally more dignified than talking about alligators in swamps.”
As was the case with Obama, a myriad of ethical conflicts have popped up for The Donald as he looks for ways to create a kleptocracy which will allow him to mix the presidency with his businesses. One of the ways he seeks to do this is by illegally hiring his children to work in his administration. In the NPR interview, Gingrich offered a solution that would allow a Trump kleptocracy to succeed—the abuse of presidential power.
“In the case of the president, he has broad ability to organize the White House the way he wants to. He also has, frankly, the power of the pardon. It’s a totally open power. He could simply say ‘Look, I want them to be my advisors. I pardon them if anyone finds them to have behaved against the rules. Period.’”
While Newt’s comments are typical of those who have sold their Conservative soul to the populist president-elect, I sincerely doubt that he would have given the same recommendation to Hillary if she had won. However, it confirms what we’ve come to know about Donald Trump and his supporters–he wants the status and personal gain available in a kleptocracy, and his cult following will support him no matter what it takes.
David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative, your source for opinion that’s politically-incorrect and always “right.” His articles can also be found on RedState.com.
His daily radio commentary is nationally syndicated with Salem Radio Network and can be heard on stations across America.
