08 Jul Democrats and Republicans After Trump
“Drat!” was an exclamation when I was I kid, and it covered any situation a boy didn’t like. It was what you said when your mother made you stop playing and get ready for bedtime. It was what you said when the Twins lost. It was like swearing, but it was allowed.
Today, DRAT is my acronym for something the two main political parties do not like – Trumplessness. In my opinion, both the Democrats and the Republicans, after Trump, will lose their main reason for being. The Republican Party has become the “whatever Trump wants” party, while the Democrats are the “whatever Trump doesn’t want” party.
Trump makes everything be about Trump, and Republicans let him. Democrats also make everything about Trump. Sensing this, of course, the media makes everything be about Trump. One of these days they aren’t going to have Trump to kick around anymore, to paraphrase Richard Nixon. How will anyone carry on after Donald J. Trump? “DRAT!” the leaders of both parties exclaim when forced to consider the thought.
Principle Based Politics actually likes to think about life after President Trump. Therefore, over the coming weeks, I will focus separately on Democrats after Trump, as well as Republicans after Trump. Today, I focus on both Parties After Trump with another acronymic question – will they stand PAT?
Getting Back to the U.S. of A.
With Donald Trump on the political stage, all eyes always will be on him. His personality, his erratic statements about what he might and might not do, his dislikes and even hatreds (of people, especially), his pandering to his base, their pandering to him, the chaos, and so on and on and on. I am weary of it, and I think it all is bad for our country. And, of course, there is the perpetual criticism directed at him by his enemies. I am bored with that, too.
I want to get back to consideration of what will be best for the people of the United States and the world. I want to get back to the political parties pursuing actual policies on that basis.
For example, after Trump, will the Republican Party revert to being conservative in the sense of systematically and consistently pursuing policies such as small government, competent government, fiscal responsibility, a strong military, low taxes, law and order (including among so-called “conservative” politicians themselves), building coalitions with world leaders, and free enterprise, free speech, and free religion?
For their part, after Trump, will the Democratic Party resume being liberal in the sense of passing legislation to protect individuals, workers, and the vulnerable, and then living out those values in the politicians’ own lives? Will the Democratic Party nominate candidates who will be strong, and who can bring respect to the United States for our military might and our national values? Will the Democrats respect the principles of law and justice? Will the Democrats restore the fiscal and political skills of Bill Clinton and the servant nature and humility of Jimmy Carter?
I just hope the parties after Trump don’t stand pat, with Democrats serving as the furious opposition and Republicans as sheep scared of their shepherd. The status quo is not really working well for either party in a big-picture, long-term view, and the only current beneficiary is President Trump himself, individually.
Will Principles Matter Again?
Much has been written and said already about how the leaders of the Democratic Party have blown the demographic, financial, and political advantages they had as recently as during the Obama administration. We can pinpoint the downfall as the moment they lost touch with the desires of ordinary, normal Americans. In coming posts and podcasts, I will explore how they can revisit that.
As for the Republican Party, its “leaders” in the Trump era have morphed into a single personality, and you know whose that is. This has worked somewhat for the party—the Trumplican Party, that is—in the short term (think Iran, the Big Beautiful Bill, a few trade deals, jobs reports, Supreme Court wins, and the stock markets), but I don’t believe anyone truly envisions the Trump era or MAGA movement outlasting that one man and his unique political gifts.
I argue that the best bet for both parties is to get back to principles. Principles beyond “Trump good” or “Trump bad,” respectively. Positive principles.
For example, will a demonstrated habit of honesty help a politician get nominated? Conversely, will a demonstrated habit of dishonesty leave a candidate shunned by its own party? Same for respect and dignity. Even more to the point, will genuinely responsible, logical, positive, serious, rational, fact-based, and, yes, principled people and policies be rewarded with political support?
The first party to do so, starting already with the 2026 midterms, will be glad it did. The quiet middle majority may actually get involved at some point. Please keep reading (and listening to the Extremely Non-Extreme podcast), as we explore this in the coming weeks.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his periodic posts, as this blog and the Extremely Non-Extreme podcast will explore and promote the idea of principle in politics.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
James Loerts
Posted at 13:04h, 09 JulyI too am tired of a lot of what is going on in this country. And I sincerely hope that a more middle of the road approach comes to pass. Unfortunately I fear two possible other outcomes instead. I think that a JD Vance type candidate will continue Trump policies because the voters are scared sh**less of what the democrats have become. Or, an AOC type candidate will lead a leftist movement to overthrow what they see as the tyranny of the current government. I hope I am wrong and you are right. But we will see. Either way will all somehow survive and life will go on. There is golf to play, sports to watch, and grandbabies to cherish.
Dave Glesne
Posted at 13:14h, 09 JulyI commend you for this forward look, Quentin. There is great wisdom – as the great Johnny Orr said – of skating to where the puck will be rather than to where it is. Looking forward…
Lynn Nehring
Posted at 22:06h, 09 JulyI’m very concerned how the Democratic party has leaned so far left. Are there even more than a handful of moderates in their party? It doesn’t look like it. Look at the New York mayoral race. Very concerning.
DKnight
Posted at 04:14h, 10 JulyTrump, with all his faults, stands in the way of the Dems. Historically, the party that holds the presidency loses seats in the House of Reps in these midterm elections. If Orange Man does not do very well–and the country does not do well on all fronts–the Dems will take the House. If the Dems control the house, we will have 2 years of impeachment actions. The president’s ego may carry the day. He will consider the country’s successes to be his own. To that end, he will follow policy directions that may actually lead to a solid economy and a stable world. But, don’t underestimate the Dems and their allies, as they control much of the infrastructure and information flow in our nation. Even if the GOP and Trump are objectively successful, the Dems may still win in the midterms. In other words, as of today, the republicans are the underdogs. In addition to impeachment ad nauseum, the Dems will push farther and farther left. The USA could tilt like the State of California. Let’s hope the voters wake up and understand that center-right is the most productive path to follow. By the way, let’s dispense once and for all with this search for the perfect, honest leader. In 249 years, we have had maybe two presidents that fit the ideal mold of being effective and honorable, Washington and Lincoln. The rest of them, including some very successful and impactful presidents, were flawed people, like everyone else. Politicians are by their nature full of BS. That is reality. Good luck in the midterms. Vote republican. Unless and until the Dems get back towards middle ground, their policies are not tenable.
Gary Russell
Posted at 13:36h, 10 JulyVery well summarized, Darren.