For the better part of the George W. Bush administration, the CDs were riding high. Compassionate conservatism was in vogue at home, and the country was promoting democracy abroad. Then it all came crashing down; the Iraq War was a disaster, the economy tanked, and the CDs took the blame. The Republican Party turned right, and “compassion” came to be viewed as foolish or wimpy. That’s where we are today; the CD faction in Congress can be counted on your digits.
As I’ve noted before, the demise of the CDs is directly tied to the rise of partisan gridlock, and is unhealthy for this country. Can it be reversed?
Yes, and history tells us how. Newt Gingrich and his Fox-friendly crowd were a dress rehearsal for Trump. They overreached and were punished for it at the ballot box. Bush was supposed to be the antidote for that.
In other words, it’s fairly simple. If Trump somehow succeeds, the GOP will continue to follow his lead. If he fails spectacularly, the party will turn on him and go in a completely different direction. The final decision will be in the hands of the voters.