When you become them …
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
— Lewis Carroll
When I heard the results last week of a Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College poll, it solidified the notion that the GOP 14 percent, Democrats and Independents, are gonna have to get creative. The survey of 676 likely GOP primary voters in Arkansas found that 86 percent think President Donald Trump is doing a good job. Much like Alice in the Lewis Carroll classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Arkansas Republicans have followed the March Hare down the political rabbit hole — feet first and without looking. And apparently, they are enjoying the alternative facts.
Trump’s job rating amounts to approval by nine out of 10 likely Arkansas Republican primary voters, according to the survey which was conducted April 17-19. Ten percent indicated they did not approve and 4 percent said they did not know.
An average of multiple national polls conducted during the same time period found that 41.4 percent approve of the job Trump is doing, while 54.4 percent disapprove, accordingly to a compilation by Real Clear Politics (https://realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html#!). These polls included voters, in general, not just Republicans.
Policy-wise, Trump has done things with which I approve and disapprove — just as his predecessors have done. No major political party represents my personal ideology in its entirety, therefore, I have been comfortable through the years supporting both major party candidates depending upon which one I liked best. During the most recent presidential election cycle, I didn’t like either candidate.
While I am horrified by the acceptance of Trump, there is nothing different about him. Trump behaves just as he always has: brazen, rude, selfish, petulant. In an age of easily retrievable audio and video footage, Trump continues to speak blatant untruths. He routinely changes positions, denies his actions and blames others. During times that call for sincerity and reverence, he is incapable of offering public comments without being offensive and/or bragging on himself.
Trump is as he was. The only thing that has changed is what Republicans will accept from their leader. They have become the very thing they once criticized in Democrats: loyal to a fault.
The people who shamed and voiced disdain for Democrats as they rallied around their bad boy President Bill Clinton no longer care about stained blue blue dresses and pre-presidential indiscretions. They don’t care about lying, cheating and being crooked. No, not one bit. Now we hear once Democratic comments coming from Republicans like: “I don’t care about his personal life; I care about how he runs the country.” All of the sudden, a person’s moral character is no longer a reflection on their leadership style and abilities.
His supporters don’t care, but they would care if it were their child, spouse, employer etc. And they should care about their president’s character and ethical standards.
I spent a lot of time and ink being critical of Clinton back in the day. My positions haven’t changed. But those of you who once applauded my words about Clinton get puffed up over the same measuring stick being applied to Trump.
So tell me 86 percenters. How does it feel to be them — the people you once admonished? And spare me the “lessor of two evils” argument. You chose HIM from a primary field of far more decent and qualified candidates. You chose Trump way before the “crooked Hillary” argument was in play.
I’m guessing you don’t see yourselves.
Shea Wilson is the former managing editor of the El Dorado News-Times. E-mail her at melsheawilson@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @SheaWilson7.