Supporters listen to President Trump at a January 6 rally in Washington, DC Image via Wikipedia.
News Analysis by Andy Brack | After a mob broke into the US Capitol on Wednesday and caused destruction, death and destruction, political leaders and observers wondered what the consequences would be for the Republican Party.
Once a conservative party that focused on lower taxes, free trade and big business, it gave in under President Donald Trump, whose fiery rhetoric destroyed civility, promoted extremism and divided the country. Former moderate country club Republicans were swept away by Trumpite supporters, who felt that the president’s words and actions as a candidate and leader reflected how they had been left out of the American dream.
A state Republican member wondered if the violence of the crowd on Wednesday would trigger a civil war within the Grand Party.
“The thought occurred to me yesterday … that we might as well be on the way to an important party realignment, where we see more than two political parties defining the landscape,” said the source, who asked not to be identified. “More than two major parties, forcing leaders to form government coalitions, may not be a bad thing for us if we focus on politicians delivering results instead of being reelected.”
The search for the national party is likely to outperform at the national level, although observers are watching to see what Trump does with the millions of dollars he raised after the November election with false allegations of a rigged election. Some say it may form a new conservative media network. Others wonder whether he will be a stumbling block for President-elect Joe Biden in an attempt to remain relevant to run in 2024.
Ard
About the time the crowd was attacking the Capitol on Wednesday, former Republican Party governor Ken Ard of Florence, who hosts a radio talk show in his hometown, responded to an inquiry by the Statehouse Report on beginning of the day. He commented on the passions of Trump supporters.
“I have never seen this kind of intensity within a group of voters. They will ultimately punish anyone who feels they have been betrayed by Trump, ”said Ard, adding that the national Republican Party could suffer because of this riddle.
“The million dollar question is where do these people go now? Home, get involved, crazier than hell? I have no idea. They are not Republican voters, but Trump voters. “
Hours after the mob violence, Ard posted a facebook message about how he was heartbroken by the violence. But he added:
“You had to see this coming. We are a deeply divided nation and in a very dangerous place. Half of our country doesn’t care much about the other half. And vice versa. Today it wasn’t just about ‘stop stealing’ and the 2020 elections. It was a complicated manifestation of many Americans’ years and years and their growing lack of faith and trust in authorized entities and people in power. Those who perpetrated violence and disrespect today are not the only ones who need to do a serious analysis of conscience tonight. “
Business as usual in South Carolina
Francis Marion University retired professor Neal Thigpen, a life-long moderate Republican veteran, appears on Ard’s program every Friday to discuss politics.
Thigpen. Photo via Florence Morning News.
He believes that Trumpism is so ingrained in South Carolina – five members of the state’s Congress voted against Biden’s election certification – that the state Republican Party will not change much in the years to come.
Moderates, he said, do not have the numbers to reshape the party. Therefore, in South Carolina, everything will continue as usual, as politicians follow suggestions from the right wing of the party to develop policies at the state level.
“I don’t see any movement [among GOP moderates] here in South Carolina, ”said Thigpen. “There are simply not enough of us to regain control of the party. … I don’t think the more moderate Republicans of old like me … have much chance of changing things in South Carolina with regard to the party and its leadership. “
Part of the reason is South Carolina’s history of independence – of not liking to hear what to do. It took decades, he said, for the General Assembly to shift from Democratic to Republican control to track how voters became more conservative. And it will take a long time to move to the other side, he added.
“When Southern Carolinians support one party or another, they tend to persist until something really dramatic happens,” said Thigpen, 81.
“This gang today in South Carolina is in sync [with Trump]. They do not look left and right, nor do they look at problems. They are dug and will be dug until something comes up to make them change … and it will not happen during my life. “
Andy Brack is an editor and editor for the Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send to: [email protected].