NATO isn’t really obsolete. The Chinese aren’t currency manipulators. Mexico won’t really pay for the wall. Maybe moving the embassy to Jerusalem isn’t such a good idea. The Export-Import Bank is OK. Assad is a brutal killer of his own people who must be removed from power. And so on.
The list of Trump flip-flops in the last few weeks is fairly breathtaking, particularly when you consider that the GOP has traditionally viewed changes in course as being a sign of weakness and a lack of belief in core values. And yet, Trump’s base support is unwavering. Why?
The answer, of course, is that Trump has no core values other than self-love. For him, being unpredictable is a tactic, and is therefore a sign of strength, not weakness. His followers may be a bit bewildered, but they buy into the strong man theme, so it’s OK with them.
The rest of us are mostly bemused by it all, but if his new positions make more sense than the old ones, we will be grateful for small favors.