ideologyhunter
Contributor
It now looks like it will a long time (if ever) before Donald's approval number gets into the 40s. There's a caveat to that: Bush 2 went from mediocre numbers to hysterical highs, like 90%, after 9/11. But assume for a minute that Donald stalls around the mid- or low- 30s and stays there. Has any President in the age of polling stayed that low? I believe Nixon was in that territory in his last year in the White House.
What are the consequences of perpetually low numbers? Is there any good precedent? I heard one talking head on MSNBC state that 'you just can't govern at that level', but I found that to be incomprehensible and false to the facts. Trump can obviously issue p.o.'s, appoint judges, threaten other countries, launch missile strikes -- he does all these.
Make the nauseating assumption that he will be in office in '18, '19, and '20, but never at higher than 40% approval -- what will result? I have a few guesses. Mine are:
1) Obviously, worse relations with Congress, particularly since he sees setbacks as an opportunity to lambaste those he calls responsible. Also, Ryan, McConnell et al are already tired of responding to his nutty or racist statements, and they have to worry about midterms & beyond.
2) Even more erratic behavior from Trump, because he'll seek to hold on to the 35% that love his petulance and trash talk. As long as he can get a West Virginia audience to shriek at what he hollers, he'll keep the act going.
3) Worse relations with allies, if that's even possible. It's not inconceivable that mass protests will preclude him showing up for summits in European capitals. It's not even too fantastic to imagine countries recalling their ambassadors. Nothing is beyond imagining with Donald.
4) As a corollary, the absolute inability of the U.S. to put together a coalition for any military of 'peace keeping' mission whatsoever. Bush 2 probably ended that era, anyway, but Donald is more unpopular than Bush 2; quite an accomplishment for 7 months effort.
5) Big juicy defections from his staff. The ones with some personal standards. Remains to be seen, but I can't believe that staff can all stand in the midst of that terrific belching stink and not consider bolting. (And, hopefully, dishing.)
6) Most unfortunate for the world, an increasing 'rogue' mindset in the Donald. He knows more than the generals, than the press, than his own party, than anyone who didn't vote for him. He cares less and less every passing day if others disagree with him, in fact, criticism seems to settle him more deeply in his 'convictions'. Again, what is beyond imagining with such a character?
What are the consequences of perpetually low numbers? Is there any good precedent? I heard one talking head on MSNBC state that 'you just can't govern at that level', but I found that to be incomprehensible and false to the facts. Trump can obviously issue p.o.'s, appoint judges, threaten other countries, launch missile strikes -- he does all these.
Make the nauseating assumption that he will be in office in '18, '19, and '20, but never at higher than 40% approval -- what will result? I have a few guesses. Mine are:
1) Obviously, worse relations with Congress, particularly since he sees setbacks as an opportunity to lambaste those he calls responsible. Also, Ryan, McConnell et al are already tired of responding to his nutty or racist statements, and they have to worry about midterms & beyond.
2) Even more erratic behavior from Trump, because he'll seek to hold on to the 35% that love his petulance and trash talk. As long as he can get a West Virginia audience to shriek at what he hollers, he'll keep the act going.
3) Worse relations with allies, if that's even possible. It's not inconceivable that mass protests will preclude him showing up for summits in European capitals. It's not even too fantastic to imagine countries recalling their ambassadors. Nothing is beyond imagining with Donald.
4) As a corollary, the absolute inability of the U.S. to put together a coalition for any military of 'peace keeping' mission whatsoever. Bush 2 probably ended that era, anyway, but Donald is more unpopular than Bush 2; quite an accomplishment for 7 months effort.
5) Big juicy defections from his staff. The ones with some personal standards. Remains to be seen, but I can't believe that staff can all stand in the midst of that terrific belching stink and not consider bolting. (And, hopefully, dishing.)
6) Most unfortunate for the world, an increasing 'rogue' mindset in the Donald. He knows more than the generals, than the press, than his own party, than anyone who didn't vote for him. He cares less and less every passing day if others disagree with him, in fact, criticism seems to settle him more deeply in his 'convictions'. Again, what is beyond imagining with such a character?
