What a Republican anti-Trump agenda should look like – Washington Post
The New York Times reports that some Republicans may be contemplating either a presidential run if President Trump isnt on the ballot in 2020 or some type of primary challenge. Those Republicans who have cheered Trump incessantly and who might run as the heirs to Trumpism (Vice President Pence, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton) in 2020 would carry the burden of Trumps policies and morals. Theyd need to explain their willingness to go along with Trumps xenophobia, incessant lying and attacks on the rule of law.
More interesting than the Trump-wannabes are the Republicans who might run against the Trump legacy if Trump did not run, stage primary challenges, create a third party or run as independents. (Those who have been passive, kept their heads down and refused to take hard votes to defend principles wouldnt be in this category.) The anti-Trump center-right conservatives would need to do more than denounce Trump. What would they offer? Reversion to far-right conservatism of the type embodied in Obamacare repeal proposals and in tax plans designed to give big breaks to the rich has already proved intensely unpopular with voters. We suggest 10 basic planks or principles for the anti-Trump aspirants:
1. Character matters in public life, and those who have demonstrated a propensity to lie, bully, discriminate, eschew personal responsibility, put personal interests over the public good and embrace know-nothingism have no place in elected office.
2. American institutions, including an independent judiciary and free press, must be defended against demagogues. Separation of powers requires Congress to assert its rightful authority as a check against the executive. States cannot be dragooned into executing federal initiatives (e.g., immigration raids) that conflict with policies and priorities in areas reserved to the states (e.g., local policing). Attacks on the legitimacy of the courts and threats not to follow their rulings are inimical to the rule of law.
3. Equality before the law is enshrined in the Constitution. Politicians who pander to sexists, racists and xenophobes and echo their hateful and divisive rhetoric have no place in public life.
4. The laws of the United States should be enforced without resort to mandatory minimum sentences, civil forfeiture, extended detention,incarceration of nonviolent drug criminals (who should be routed to anti-addiction programs) or harassment of journalists.
5. Free trade, reasonable regulation, legal immigration, and a tax code free from special corporate carve-outs and subsidies are essential for economic growth. Refusing to accept globalization or trying to close off America from the world is impossible and counterproductive. Myths and falsehoods about trade, climate change, immigration and other economic realities should be rejected.
6. Moderation not mushy compromise but humility, balancing of interests, aversion to divisive and polarizing rhetoric is a virtue.
7. A secure social safety net must operate alongside a market-based economy with the goal of enabling non-elderly, non-disabled adults to enjoy the rewards of work. Safety-net programs should not be slashed for the sake of saving money; but reform and modernization of existing programs should be undertaken with the sole purpose of helping their recipients enjoy productive lives.
8. Globalization cannot and should not be reversed, but new resources and focus must improve Americans ability to compete in the 21st-century economy through K-12 school reform, apprenticeship programs, alternatives to four-year college, and continuous worker training and retraining.
9. American leadership in the world is required to preserve the international liberal order that has existed for 70 years. In conjunction with allies, the United States should use all levers of soft power and, when required, the judicious use of military power, to defend our interests. Support for human rights, democratic governments and free peoples is part and parcel of our national identity and a necessary component of our foreign policy. We cannot separate our national values from our foreign policy. Our democratic norms and institutions must be reinforced at home if they are to serve as models for others.
10. Government must be transparent and free from conflicts of interest, cronyism and nepotism. Public officials must disclose all financial information and divorce themselves from holdings and activities that create even the appearance of a conflict.
Sadly, the Trumpified GOP does not stand for any, let alone all, of these. That leaves a void in the center of American politics that must be filled by anti-Trump voices, be they in one of the two major parties or in a new party or movement. If the GOP cannot be recaptured from Trump and Trumpism, it should be discarded for in its current state it represents a threat to the republic.
Here is the original post:
What a Republican anti-Trump agenda should look like - Washington Post
- The end of USAID? For this Republican aid expert, it's too early to tell - Devex - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- AARP Makes the Republican Case for Adding a Caregiver Tax Credit - ThinkAdvisor - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Republican lawmaker is fundraising off petition to 'arrest and deport' Rep. Ilhan Omar to Somalia - New York Post - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- The Republican war on science takes a drastic turn for the worse - MSNBC - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Another Republican senator goes against Trump's 'poorly conceived' NIH funding cuts - ABC News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- As an Elected Republican Who Believes in the Rapture, This Is My Chance to Shine - McSweeney's Internet Tendency - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Hochul Halts Bill Aimed at Weakening Republican Control of House - The New York Times - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- We are witnessing the rise of a new Republican Southern Strategy - The Guardian US - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- State Democratic and Republican party chairs look forward to governors race - GBH News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- John Jagler Talks Republican Bill Aiming To Reverse DPI Standards - Daily Dodge - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- House Republican schemes to deprive millions of women of voting rights - People's World - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Senator launches investigation into Jason Krasley, who landed a job at a top sex-abuse watchdog but was recently charged with sex abuse -... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Jeff Kaufmann reelected to lead Republican Party of Iowa - Iowa Public Radio - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican AGs back Trump federal employee buyout as judge decides 'Fork in the Road' directive's fate - Fox Business - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Club of Longboat Key ready to kick off 2025 year with first event - Your Observer - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Veterans in Congress Are Privately Lobbying Trump on Resettling Afghan Allies - NOTUS - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Meet 'Republican hair': It's blonde, bouncy, and really doesn't have a political party - Business Insider - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican state AGs back Trump birthright citizenship order in court filing: 'Taxpayers are on the hook' - Fox News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Opinion: Trump didnt break the Republican Party. He harnessed it. - Salt Lake Tribune - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- NEW: Republican Reconciliation Bill Could Slash Medicaid Benefits for 22 Million Americans to Extend Tax Cuts for Billionaires - Democrats.org - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- DEI not to blame in crash, says top Republican overseeing FAA - POLITICO - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Two reasons why a Republican could win this years race for governor | Moran - NJ.com - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Exclusive | Ted Cruz Leads Republican Charge to Defund Consumer-Protection Agency - The Wall Street Journal - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- The Trump Economy Begins: How a Republican Congress Could Impact Those Relying on Social Security - Yahoo Finance - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Selena Gomez laughs off Republican calling to deport her over Ice raid video - The Guardian US - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- This Republican Senator Says Trump Needs to Hear Dissent. Will He Speak Up? - The New York Times - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- A Republican court candidate in North Carolina wants to toss out thousands of votes - NPR - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican Senators Call on Trump to Rethink Revoked Security Details - The New York Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican attorneys general urge Costco to jump off the DEI bandwagon - Washington Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- John Fetterman Addresses Speculation That He's Becoming a Republican - Newsweek - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trump Didnt Break the Republican Party. He Harnessed It. - The New York Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Who Are the Three Republican Senators Who Voted Against Pete Hegseth? - The New York Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- A Republican-led group is running ads in NC opposing the GOP attempt to throw out ballots - NC Newsline - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican county committees to hold event spotlighting Mainer pardoned for January 6th riot - Maine Public - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Tennessee Republican womens group cites Hitler in promoting its reading list - Chattanooga Times Free Press - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- North Carolinas Republican justices signal support for overturning Democratic judges election - Mother Jones - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- House Republican introduces long-shot measure to let Trump seek a third term - Axios - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Can Trump handle the new Republican factions? - Financial Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Column: I watched Trump's inauguration with a Democrat and a Republican. Here's what they saw - Los Angeles Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026 - The Colorado Sun - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Inside The Farce Of Swaying Republican Senators On Trumps Nominees - TPM - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Congress moving more slowly than Trump on Republican agenda - Semafor - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Lawmaker Calls for Bishop to Be Deported for Telling Trump to Have 'Mercy' on Scared Children - LatinTimes - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Senators find their spines hiding behind a brave woman - Boing Boing - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Idaho Republican Party says it needs help paying its rent for Boise HQ - Idaho Capital Sun - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- As Trump takes office again, he has even more sway over the Republican Party - NPR - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The Battle over Veterans Health Care: How the Republican Majority Hopes to Reshape the VA - Military.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Sheriffs are going to be emboldened: Republican sheriffs are raring to implement Trumps deportation plans. - POLITICO - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The Battle Over Veterans Health Care: How the Republican Majority Hopes to Reshape VA - The War Horse - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Ten US Senate Democrats help advance Republican bill on migrants accused of theft - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican SNAP Proposals Could Take Food Away From Millions of Low-Income Individuals and Families - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican infighting flares after Burrows elected speaker - The Texas Tribune - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican states can move ahead with abortion pill lawsuit in Texas - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican Governance Group wants to live up to its name - Roll Call - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Cuomo on the Ballot? Adams as a Republican? Candidates Have Limited Options and Little Time - THE CITY - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Lancaster County Republican suggests issues Trump should include in his inaugural address [column] - LNP | LancasterOnline - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Porn case in the Supreme Court this week is about protecting children, says Republican AG - Fox News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Fox News Host Presses Republican on Trump Plan'Is This Really Realistic?' - Newsweek - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Just before Trump takes office, Meta is replacing its top policy exec with a prominent Republican - CNN - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Connolly Statement on Republican Rules Package for the 119th Congress - Gerry Connolly - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Altria donation pushes Republican Party of Kentucky headquarters building fund to $3.65 million - User-generated content - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- 'Is it realistic to deport everybody?' Top Senate Republican on Donald Trump's mass deportation promises - USA TODAY - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Meta's Nick Clegg to step down, will be replaced by well-connected Republican - Axios - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Meta Taps Republican as New Head of Global Policy - The Wall Street Journal - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- GRI Action Workshop # 7: The Republican Agenda What It Is, Where It Came From, How We Can Serve the Common Good - Redheaded Blackbelt - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Adam Kinzinger Brutally Sums Up The 'Entire' Republican Party With Just 1 Acronym - HuffPost - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Another Democratic state lawmaker in Florida is joining the Republican party - The Associated Press - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Republican Allegedly Refusing To Lower Flags to Half-Staff Sparks Anger - Newsweek - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson Elected House Speaker After Republican Holdouts Change Their Votes in the First Round - PEOPLE - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Dave McCormick sworn into office, poised to build on Trump-led Republican agenda - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Republican senator reveals the best way US can 'counter terrorism' - Fox News - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Family of Rep. Kay Granger Reveals She Has Dementia; Texas Republican Has Missed Every Vote Since July - Democracy Now! - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- GOP Spending Rebellion Is Ominous Sign for Trumps All-Republican Government - The Wall Street Journal - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- What we know about the 2024 Democratic and Republican parties: An analysis of congressional candidates - Brookings Institution - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Transcript: Rep. French Hill, Republican of Arkansas, on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 22, 2024 - CBS News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Trump's agenda in trouble? What the Republican revolt on spending bill tells us - USA TODAY - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- The new right gathers to celebrate Trump and the splintering of the Republican Party - The Associated Press - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Trump calls out Texas Republican after voting against deal to prevent government shutdown - Austin American-Statesman - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- House votes down Republican bill to avert shutdown on eve of the deadline - NBC News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Elon Musk 'Runs the Republican Party'Congress Reacts to CR Bill Collapse - Newsweek - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]