Ambitious GOP pols know it pays to sell out, bow to Trump
Ohio author J.D. Vance’s latest political reincarnation brings to mind the contrasting careers of Richard Rich, a successful politician in Tudor England, and Saint Thomas More, a more principled but in the end less successful Tudor leader, at least in material terms.
Thomas More refused (as a matter of principle) to take King Henry the VIII’S oath of supremacy. Richard Rich, however, had no principles. Rich is assumed to have lied at More’s treason trial, resulting in More’s martyrdom and eventual sainthood, and Rich’s appointment as Wales’ attorney general. Or, as More (in the movie “A Man for All Seasons”) says to Richard Rich: “For Wales? Why Richard, it profit a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world … but for Wales?”
Rich switched sides many times over the course of his career and betrayed many people, eventually rising to become lord chancellor of England. The distinguished historian Hugh Trevor Roper called Rich a man “of whom nobody has ever spoken a good word.” On the other hand, Rich died of old age as a very wealthy member of the English establishment. Who says a complete lack principles doesn’t pay?
Richard Rich seems to be the role model for Republicans who denounced Donald Trump when they thought it was politically safe and prudent to do so, but now rally to Trump because of his continuing appeal within their party. They clearly are people who can, and will, adjust their consciences to fit this year’s political fashion.
People such as Vance, who once once called Trump “cultural heroin” but now – seeking the GOP nomination for an open Senate seat in Ohio – has deleted his critical tweets and apologized for them.
Trump refused to accept the outcome of the 2020 election and tried to stage a coup. He clearly is unfit for office and a danger to our republic – but he remains popular with the GOP base. So, with only a few honorable exceptions, most GOP politicians genuflect before Trump.
Vance, author of the bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy,” is just the latest of Trump’s GOP critics to bend the knee and offer to kiss Trump’s hand (or whatever part of Trump’s anatomy is required) for an endorsement. By flattering and groveling to Trump, Vance makes himself politically relevant in the modern GOP. Even if Vance isn’t nominated in Ohio (which has a crowded field of Trump sycophants), he has positioned himself for future advancement in Trump’s GOP.
As the distinguished American economist and statesman John Kenneth Galbraith pointed out in his book, “The Affluent Society,” trying to explain why conventional wisdom is so hard to change, “It is far, far better and much safer to have a firm anchor in nonsense than to put out on the troubled seas of thought.” Vance has sided with most of the GOP in choosing the safety of nonsense.
But if the GOP base eventually turns against Trump, Vance (and others like him) will pay no penalty for supporting Trump – provided they jump ship at the right moment. As with Rich, Vance and the other Trump lackeys will likely die wealthy and comfortable, after long careers as political weather vanes.
Maybe Vance and company truly believe they are doing what is best for America. Maybe they have convinced themselves that even more awful people will take their places if they don’t serve Lord Trump. Or, maybe they assume someone else will stand up for our country and do the right thing, since they are too busy doing what is best for their own careers. In any event, they will be fine.
What is not certain is whether our American Constitution will survive the damage caused by these thirdrate political careerists.
Note from Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson: This is a condensed version ofsteven Strauss’ column. Read the full version on Usatoday.com.
Steven Strauss, a member of USA TODAY’S Board of Contributors, is a lecturer and visiting professor at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. @Steven_strauss