re: #303 EPR-radar

Since this nonsense seems to be working for Trump so far, I’ll make a special point of resisting the obvious conclusion that this is somehow damaging to Trump and the Republicans. That would be application of rational thinking to US politics, which may have become a category error by now.

I rather think we’re all too focused on the wrong metrics. We’re used to measuring the damage of a scandal like this by how many are willing to stand with the politician at the center versus who is running for cover. A better metric might be to look at the fact that Trump was barely at 50% approval on Election Night and has been falling ever since. Millions of folks who voted for him on the “I don’t know why I hate Hillary but I do” argument are abandoning him now that they realize he’s a walking dumpster fire.

The party’s not visibly breaking ranks with Trump, but they are beginning to feel the heat and its showing in Congress. While Senator Turtle is making a lot of noise about pushing through nominees without delay, the rank and file are holding their feet to the fire. It may be for show or it may be out of actual conviction, but the fact that hearings are being moved back and tough questions are being asked should be taken as a sign that even the GOP sees long-term problems with a Trump presidency that they don’t want to be associated with.