In the past, I have wondered how our new man on golf cart will react when his plans go awry and times get tough. What happens when a strong man simply can’t get the job done?
Fortunately, on that subject, he can rely on the example of his buddy Putin and other failed dictators. The recipe is as follows:
1. Attack and muzzle the press to the maximum extent possible. Of course, that is more difficult here than in other countries, but the threat of libel suits, regulatory harassment, and the use of Twitter and internet trolls should do the trick.
2. Drape yourself in the flag. Make it clear that your foes aren’t just critics of your administration–they hate America.
3. Identify the enemies and blame them for your failures. There are plenty of scapegoats available, both foreign and domestic. Illegal immigrants, minorities, Mexico, China, whatever–it doesn’t matter, as long as it works.
The best way to combine all of these approaches, of course, is to go to war. Don’t be surprised if he wags the dog at some point in his term.