Trump Thread

[Kralizec]

The GOP base, most of whom are NOT rich but advocate/adhere to "country mouse" values were staunchly against the ACA. The Tax Reform bill is likely to be popular as well, at least among the GOP base.

The GOP establishment Pols have trouble with Trump because of his asshat behaviors. They are deeply worried that, while picking up points with Trump base for supporting some of the policies on immigration and the like, Trump will undercut all their support with an asinine tweet just before the vote is taken -- Trump loves inflammatory messages and none of the GOP establishment want to pay the price for Trump's outrage de jour.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'country mouse'. No argument on the popularity of tax cuts, although personally the one currently proposed seems like a terrible idea and not fiscally conservative by any stretch of definition. Repealing the individual mandate while keeping the protection against prior conditions is just a recipe for disaster and might just cause the implosion of Obamacare that some conservatives have been rooting for.

The GOP told their voters that Obamacare sucked for years, and then Trump came along with the promise of replacing it with something entirely better. 'Better' is subjective, but he clarified repeatedly that he would deliver tremendous quality and excellent coverage. Every proposal he has backed so far would have led to lesser coverage.

Point being, Trump has promised things that no conventional Republican would have. You noted that there are a good amount of people who would have backed Bernie instead of Trump if given the chance. But in my impression he's governing in a pretty mainstream Republican way, his populist rants and doubtful competence notwithstanding. Hence, the rants and the tweets serve as a useful distraction for people who'd gladly have supported someone like Bernie on issues of policy.