by Mike Smith Now that Donald Trump is the presumptive presidential nominee he, and his supporters, are seeking to unify the Republican Party. But “unification” has a very different meaning to Trump than it does to many Republicans, especially those seeking election. For Trump, a unified party is one that falls in line behind him and supports his positions. After all, in his view, he is now the leader of the party and the Republican Party is there to serve him.
However, from the perspective of many Republicans, Trump has party obligations that are far more important than his personal ambitions. This may be the thinking of House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said he is withholding an endorsement of Trump for the time being. Ryan, who likely will be obligated ultimately to support Trump, is not alone in being suspicious of — or outright opposed to — the policies and positions of their likely nominee. Many conservative Republicans refuse to support Trump because he is inconsistent or silent on issues that are important to them. Moderate Republicans are appalled by his rhetoric.
In reality, Trump’s whole campaign is built around remaking the Republican Party into a vehicle for his brand of politics. Trump thinks the priorities of the Republican Party are fundamentally flawed. He prefers secular, populist policies that to many Republicans are naïve and isolationist. In fact, the most frequent target of his attacks has been the party “establishment.” This has allowed him to attract voters who aren’t necessarily life-long Republicans.
But his decision to cultivate a hostile environment against Republicans means that these Republicans are now a target of not only the opposition party, but their own nominee as well. This creates a rift that will only grow more intense over time and will become a fight to define the core ethos of the Republican Party.
It’s very likely that unification is going to be difficult for Trump, even for a guy who claims to be an expert at making deals. Trump has seen political success by dividing the party, and by pitting one group against another. And this strategy of divisiveness continues, even as he talks about coming together as a political party. Former governor Sarah Palin is threatening to help defeat Speaker Ryan on Trump’s behalf because Ryan is withholding his endorsement. It is clear that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has little intention of making a concerted effort of uniting the party, other than on his own terms.
In the end perhaps Donald Trump doesn’t have to be concerned about party unification. A recent poll showed likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Trump virtually tied in key battleground states. And although, nationally, the Republican Party has made recent gains in Congress and state legislatures, it has been stifled by its lack of progress implementing popular policies tackling growing social and fiscal problems after gaining control of these political institutions. This lackluster record of accomplishment, coupled with a transitioning economy, leaves a political vacuum. Trump filled the void by talking about his ideas, in simple and provocative terms. Even if his ideas are unrealistic and impossible to implement, they clearly have appeal.
Ironically, it is likely Trump supporters will be disappointed in his policies if he becomes president. But for Trump the end always justifies the means. Say what needs to be said to be elected — or in real estate terms, to close the deal — and then worry about the rest, perhaps even policy reversals, later.
He’s keenly aware, of course, that if he loses he has a ready-made excuse. He will argue that those Republicans who failed to unite behind him cost him the election. Because in Donald Trump’s world it is never his fault; never his responsibility; there’s always someone else to blame.
Mike Smith was the secretary of administration and secretary of human services under former Gov. Jim Douglas. He is the host of the radio program, “Open Mike with Mike Smith,” on WDEV 550 AM and 96.1, 96.5 and 101.9 FM. He is also a political analyst for WCAX-TV and WVMT radio and is a regular contributor to the Times Argus, Rutland Herald and Vermont Business Magazine.