Waiting for the Trump pivot is like waiting for Godot.
Yet, as Rich Lowry notes—despite mounting evidence to the contrary—the Republican establishment keeps choosing to believe Trump will shed his skin and turn into a slightly more populist version of Mitt Romney. As Lowry writes, “the Republican establishment seems to have believed that it had an implicit pact (unbeknownst to Trump) that he could have the party so long as he didn’t embarrass it too badly.”
It’s dangerous to make such assumptions. The notion that Trump could (or would) segue into a respectable candidate is a prime example of projection and wishful thinking.
For one thing, I’m not sure he has it in him to resist temptation; the flesh is weak. For another, he doesn’t actually know how to be a politician. Like a star college quarterback who managed to win on the back of his sheer talent, he never had to develop the skills that it takes to succeed in the NFL. He has no interest in running a sophisticated game plan found in one of those thick playbooks. Just give him the ball and watch the magic happen!
In the past, Trump has said that it would be “boring as hell” if he were to act more “presidential.” And—watching Trump badly read a TelePrompTer the other night—I’m inclined to agree.
Speaking of people who choose to hope this leopard can change his spots, I got to interview Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on Tuesday (video below).
During our discussion, McConnell urged Trump to “get on script,” adding: “It’s time for him to look like a serious candidate for president.”
I concur. This would normally be very good advice. I’m just not sure he can stay on script.
Trump now finds himself in a sort of Catch-22: He can be authentic and charismatic and undisciplined—or scripted and inauthentic and stilted.
These, it seems, are the options.
Republicans might just have to resign themselves to the notion that Trump is who we thought he was. He’s not going to change. But we’re stuck with him. The people have spoken–the bastards!
Maybe there’s some happy medium that can be reached, but I’m skeptical. At the end of the day, you probably have to “Let Trump be Trump”—which means that, unless he surprises us, the next five months will feel like the next five days.
I’m sure he will come around.