By Caroline B Glick, JPOST
After his back to back victories in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries and the Nevada caucuses, going into next week’s Super Tuesday contests in 12 states, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump looks increasingly unbeatable.
What accounts for the billionaire populist’s success? And if Trump does become the next US president, what sort of leader will the former reality television star be? Trump is popular because he has a rare ability to channel the deep-seated frustrations that much of the American public harbors toward its political and cultural elites.
Trump’s presidential bid isn’t based on specific, defined economic or foreign policy platforms or plans. Indeed, it isn’t clear that he even has any.
Trump’s campaign is based on his capacity to resonate two deeply felt frustrations harbored by a large cross-section of American citizens.
As The Wall Street Journal’s Daniel Henninger explained recently, a very large group of Americans is frustrated – or enraged – by the intellectual and social terror exercised upon them by the commissars of political correctness.
Trump’s support levels rise each time he says something “politically incorrect.” His candidacy took off last summer when he promised to build a wall along the Mexican border. It rose again last November when, following the Islamic massacre in Paris, he said that if elected he will ban Muslim immigration to the US.
The many millions of Americans who are sick of being called racist, chauvinist, homophobic, privileged or extremist every time they breathe feel that in Trump they have found their voice.
Then there is that gnawing sense that under Obama, America has been transformed from history’s greatest winner into history’s biggest sucker.
Trump’s continuous exposition on his superhuman deal-making talents speaks to this fear.
Trump’s ability to viscerally connect to the deep-seated concerns of American voters and assuage them frees him from the normal campaign requirement of developing plans to accomplish his campaign promises.
Trump’s supporters don’t care that his economic policies contradict one another. They don’t care that his foreign policy declarations are a muddle of contradictions.
They hate the establishment and they want to believe him.
This then brings us to the question of how a president Donald Trump would govern.
Because he knows how to viscerally connect to the public, Trump will undoubtedly be a popular president. But since he has no clear philosophical or ideological underpinning, his policies will likely be inconsistent and opportunistic.
In this, a Trump presidency will be a stark contrast to Obama’s hyper-ideological tenure in office.
So, too, his presidency will be a marked contrast to a similarly ideologically driven Clinton or Sanders administration, since both will more or less continue to enact Obama’s domestic and foreign policies.
The US is far from the only country steeped in uncertainty and frustration today.
Today, the peoples of Western Europe are behaving much like the Americans in their increased rejection of the political and cultural elites. Like Trump’s growing band of supporters, Western Europeans are increasingly embracing populists.
Whether these leaders come from the Right or the Left, they all make a similar pledge to restore their nations to a previous glory.
These promises are based as well on a common rejection of the European Union. Like their voters, populist European politicians believe that the EU is a bureaucratic monstrosity that has pulverized and seeks to blot out their national characters while it seizes their national sovereignty.
Due to this growing popular opposition to the EU, establishment leaders throughout Western Europe find themselves fighting for their political survival. Whether their desire to exit the EU owes to its open borders policies in the face of massive Muslim immigration or to the euro debt crisis, with each passing month, the very concept of a unified Europe loses its appeal for more and more Europeans.
On June 23, this growing disenchantment is liable to bring about the beginning of the EU’s breakup. That day, British voters will determine whether or not the United Kingdom will remain in the EU.
Popular London Mayor and Conservative MP Boris Johnson is now leading the campaign calling for Britain to leave the EU against the will of Prime Minister David Cameron and the Conservative party establishment.
In recent days, several commentators have claimed that Johnson is Britain’s Donald Trump.
Like Trump, Johnson is able to tap into deep-seated public dissatisfaction with the political and cultural elites and serve as a voice for the disaffected.
If Johnson is able to convince a majority of British voters to support an exit from the EU, then several other EU member states are likely to follow in Britain’s wake.
The exit of states from the EU will cause a political and economic upheaval in Europe with repercussions far beyond its borders. Just as a Trump presidency will usher in an era of high turbulence and uncertainty in US economic and foreign policies, so a post-breakup EU and Western Europe will replace Brussels’ consistent policies with policies that are more varied, and unstable.
For Israel, instability is not necessarily a bad thing. For the past several years, we have consistently suffered under the stable, unswerving anti-Israel policies of both the EU and the Obama administration.
Our inability to influence these policies was brought home last week with the government’s announcement that it is renewing Israel’s diplomatic dialogue with the EU.
Following the EU’s announcement in November that it was implementing its bigoted, arguably unlawful labeling policy against Israeli goods produced beyond the 1949 armistice lines, the government announced that Israel was suspending its diplomatic dialogue with the EU. The government hoped that by forcing Europe to pay a diplomatic price for its hostility, Brussels would back down.
But as it turned out, the ban made no impact on the EU, whose only clear, consistent foreign policy is to oppose Israel. And so, last week, the government cried uncle and announced that it is reinstituting its diplomatic dialogue with the EU.
A senior official explained that Israel chose to end the dispute because it wished to avoid having the labeling policy used as an issue in the debate about the future of the EU. EU champions made it clear to Israeli officials that if the labeling issue wasn’t swept under the rug, then Israel would be liable to be blamed if EU member states opt to exit the union.
Clearly the government is right to seek to avoid having Israel used as an issue in the debates on the future of the EU. But then again, it is also clear that Israel’s foes – led by the likes of the Belgians – don’t need an excuse to attack us.
On the other hand, by backing down, Israel signaled to its European opponents that they can escalate their war against us with impunity.
Moreover, despite the threats of EU officials, it is fairly ridiculous to think that they future of the EU has anything to do with how Israel responds to its political war against us. The Europeans who wish to exit the EU, like those who wish to remain, feel the way they do because of issues that have little to do with Israel.
Beyond the narrow question of how to respond to the labeling assault, from Israel’s perspective, the rise of Trump like the rise of Johnson and the anti-EU forces in Europe indicates that in the coming years, both the US and Europe are likely to move in one of two directions – and Israel has to be prepared for both eventualities.
If the next US president is a Democrat, and if the EU remains intact, then Israel can expect for its relations with the US and the EU to remain in crisis mode for the foreseeable future.
If Trump is elected president and if Britain leads the charge of nations out of the EU, then Israel can expect its relations with both the US and Europe to be marked by turbulence and uncertainty that can lead in a positive direction or a negative direction, or even to both directions at the same time.
Just as Trump has stated both that he will support Israel and be neutral toward Israel, so we can expect for Trump to stand by Israel one day and to rebuke it angrily, even brutally, the next day.
So, too, under Trump, the US may send forces to confront Iran one day, only to announce that Trump is embarking on negotiations to get a sweetheart deal with the ayatollahs the next.
Or perhaps all of these things will happen simultaneously.
As for Europe, whereas the EU stalwarts will likely ratchet up their hostility toward Israel, and we may even see the likes of Sweden or Belgium cut off relations with us, states that leave the EU may be willing to vastly improve their bilateral relations with Israel diplomatically, economically and militarily.
Moreover, if the EU begins to break up, it is likely that the European economy will contract.
As Israel’s largest trading partner, a European recession will hurt Israel.
Whether Trump rises or falls, is defeated by a Republican rival or by a Democratic opponent, and whether or not the EU breaks apart or remains intact, Israel’s leaders need to prepare for the plausible scenarios of either prolonged crises in relations with the US, Europe or both, or turbulent relations that are unpredictable and subject to constant change with one or both of them.
Under these circumstances, the first conclusion that needs to be drawn is that now is not the time to expand our military dependence on the US. Consequently, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon should not conclude an agreement for expanded US security assistance to Israel for the next decade.
Beyond that, Israel needs to expand on the steps that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Ministry director-general Dore Gold are already taking to expand Israel’s network of alliances to Africa and Asia. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit this week marked just the latest achievement of this vital project. Israel’s diplomatic opening to Asia and Africa needs to be matched by similar military and economic openings and expansions of ties.
In the final analysis, Trump’s rise in America and the rise of the populists in Europe is yet another indication of the West’s growing identity crisis fueled by its economic, social, military and cultural weakness. Israel needs to read the writing on the wall and act appropriately lest we become a casualty of that identity crisis.
Did BB, Yaalon, rivlin or erdan sign that letter, what about Benett and Shaked, which members of the coalition cabinet signed the letter….. a bit early to praise Israel since BB facilitated the euros for 7 years and just petitioned the court NOT to make him demolish the buildings. Only a few stragglers in the fake right wing gov actually give one shred of importance to YS and the euro building…. perhaps it has something to do with what Ted called that which “hasn’t been publicly debated”…… apparently most important decisions of the GOI “haven’t been publicly debated”. Its really called deceitfully hidden from the public because they wont agree if they find out.
Apparently “Denial” is not only the longest river in Egypt but also in Israel.
“lest we become…?????
I would say already there…. but not a casualty of the Identity crisis facing europe and the west as Israel is a start up nation it long ago was its own casualty of the the “Stockhom syndrome” ID crisis…..
1-Israel prevents Jews from settling in their ancient homeland of YS even though international law set up modern Israel for that purpose.
2- Israel makes sure to keep future growth within the walls of its euro designated ghetto boundaries with the judenrat supplicants doing the same dirty work they did in eastern europe.
3-Israel facilitates the muslim anti semitism and abuse of Jews not wanting to anger the muslims.
4-muslim anti semitism in Israel is worse than muslim anti semitism in france.
5-Israel de facto agrees with the world that Jews living in YS outsided their ghetto boundaries is illegal and illegitimate.
6- Israel facilitates the Euro illegal building of muslim homes in YS
7-Israel serves the interests of the muslim vanquished at the MOunt rather than the Jews
8-When Jews are slaughtered by muslim arabs the gov seeks to give them hundreds of millions in cash and also improve their economy.
9-Israel builds arab muslim cities in area C but no new Jewish cities.
10-when Muslims attack jews at the mount Israel incarcerates and detains the Jews
11-When an obviously arab arson results in dead babies the pres,DM, PM and IM tell the world that the Jews did it.
12-Instead of properly investigating the arson they use the opportunity to create anti Jewish dissenter laws like in soviet russia to incarcerate Jewish dissenters.
13-the GOI releases hamas terror members in hunger strikes but extend jewish dissenters false incarceration and detention.
14- when hamas builds terror tunnels the GOI discusses seaports
…….etc etc etc… I could go on but………..
If that is not an identity crisis I dont know what is….
Glick nailed this analysis
@ <a href="#comment-63356000167334" title="Go to comment of
This comment was meant for the general election my friend. I have for a while now realized Trump will win the nomination. So good morning to you also my friend.
Arnold you may bask in the glory of your guys inevitable nomination win. It is even possible that he will win the Presidency. Especially since Hillary is very flawed even to some Democrats.
Then the real question would become how to all his promises add up? Balanced Budget but he is not touching social security and medicare (70% of the budget)- One or the other does not work (lie one).
Increase the size of the military (great but does not correspond with the budget promise).
Deport all 11 million illegals not just the serious law breakers. Cost of this please? Tax revenue will also go down as restaurants and hotels do not have enough workers to function across the country.
Food prices rise as there are not enough farm workers because Americans will not harvest crops for $11 an hour. Probably not long for more money either.
Health Care actually not sure what he is promising here as he has no plan but it will be great and cost less.
The VA also will be fixed and will be great.
He is going to keep Muslims Out- We will see.
Trade will be favorable because he will protect the USA markets without starting trade wars with Mexico and China.
The Mexicans are going to pay for the wall. Because we are losing in trade with Mexico. Actually that is more Trump bullshit.
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/presidential-campaign/247649-no-mr-trump-mexico-is-not-killing-us-on-trade
So Trump wants to start a trade with Mexico he is playing people for nationalistic pride with bullshit.
Yes a wall is very needed and immigration needs to be regulated and visa overstays must be stopped. Trade war with Mexico so he can get his boast of the Mexicans will pay for the wall done. IDIOTIC. Sure the Mexicans have no pride and will say of course Trump we will bend over while you kick us in the wallet.
@ bernard ross:
When attempting to heal your agonized soul with the restorative tonic of music, I opt for aesthetics over ideology. Simply put, she sings better than Chuck Norris:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egZkyaF6b70
another reason to vote trump 🙂
babushka Said:
Yep, sounds right to me, we need better deals and marco and ted only got us the TPP and the HB1visascam…. the gop proved to be crap in their opposition to Obama, they colluded with him to get their TPP passed and to fire american workers… thats why they never opposed him on other issues.
@ babushka:
i see you avoid the issue, but why choose Streisand as your spokesperson… I thought you were a diehard conservative cruz supporter?
who will deal with this…..Trump, cruz, rubio, sanders, hillary?????
I wonder who?
Poor soul, even the puppies could not ease your torment. Time to haul out the heavy artillery. For you, tortured bernard, I present the multi-trillion dollar voice of the immortal Barbra Streisand singing “Hatikvah”. If this palliative doesn’t soothe your damaged psyche, the only remaining remedy is to dress you in Hassidic garb and parachute you into Gaza:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHy29bn4zeE
babushka Said:
citing the hoover trade wars is a red herring as the conditions are completely different. You never said why you think a trade war with china is bad as it would bring back jobs and production to the US. Repeating gop drivel, like trickle down and trade wars fears, is like citing the bible. Such baloney means perpetuating and worsening the problems about which you appear not to care.
Hogwash…the EU breaking up would be as good for Israel as the arab enemies fragmentation and chaos. Its just one of the BS stories from BB. I predicted that the suspension of dialogue was fake and that within a few weeks it would be back to business as usual but with the new labeling. I compared it with this other usual fake repetitive scam:
over and over the same load of BS from BB
and this BS too. so BB fails to do anything to stop terror but he succeeds to give them 500 million and commit to rebuilding the pal economy to give them hope while they stab jews
While the admin fails to protect jews from the pal stabbing intifada and rewards them with cash and future commitments here are some more of BB successes:
facilitating muslim abuse of Jews at the Mount
facilitating EU illegal building in YS
successfully introducing law to incarcerate Jewish dissenters
successfully preventing Jewish settelement in YS outside of euro designated ghetto boundaries.
successfully preventing Levy report to resume Jewish settlement
repeatedly rewarding pal terror with tax cash
successfully commiting to rebuilding pal economy
successfully killing shaked bill to reform leftist supreme court
Apparently it is only policies which advance right wing agenda in which BB has repetitive failure.
It doesnt matter who is the american pres or what happens in europe because in Israel is where the problem lies, with a PM who cannot say these words:
It is this failure in which we can see all the other problems facing Israel… appeasement of PC only strengthens the enemies……allowing them to state lies strengthens their lies.
Economic illiteracy produces invalid binary choices, and the Trumpies lack even basic knowledge of economics. bernard is a little emotionally unsteady because his hero just got gang-schlonged, but fortunately babushka is here to nurture him back towards mental health using APT (Advanced Puppy Therapy):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yefLspYrYOg
I have already listed 5 times Trumps policies and platforms on specific issues so caroline appears NOT to be reading here attentively. Perhaps the same error she makes is what all those who cant figure it out make: if you dont phrase a simple analysis of a problem AND its solution in a complicated doublespeak PC form then no one is able to clearly see it…. here is ONE of Trumps analyses, platforms, solutions simply expressed in one sentence:
“Ban Muslim immigration until we figure it out”
1-analysis of the problem: Duh, its the muslims, stupid”.
2-Solution: Ban muslim immigration
3-reason: the safety and security of the american citizen is a higher priority than anything to do with foreign immigration and rather than risk that while figuring it out lets err on the side of caution and safety
4-Platform: decisions will be made with the priority of american citizens and not immigrants or corporate interests.
Politicians are unused to the bottom line simplicity of businessmen who are on the move to implementation while pols need to chat more. I suggest that before once more making unreasoned innacurate statements that Caroline analyze less superficially with a perspective outside the current milieu of politicians and media mavens. Now if caroline were to more professionally analyze Trumps statements on trade, HB1 visascam, etc she would be able to locate his economic platform and agenda and if she did the same with his statements on relations with allies and IS she would see the same on foreign policy matters. In each case he expresses simply his perspective, analysis, solution and platform in simple words.
babushka Said:
and you repeat the time worn irrelevant anachronism of the coporatists…. duh, you want to continuing giving china free reign to sell in our economy… duh, trade war with china to get back our jobs, production and capital? sure thing.
Trump again advocated Hoovernomics, explicitly repeating his call for a tariff-based trade war like the one that produced the Great Depression. This dangerously ignorant demagogue and his clueless supporters are toxic for America.
@ Bear Klein:
“So it will come down to Florida and Ohio. If Trump looses Florida can he win Pennsylvania to counter?
No it is not all likely that this will matter for GOP nomination race. Too little to late. Rubio finally grew a pair of huevous and attacked unscripted.”
Well BK, it sounds like you are facing up to poiitical realities this morning.
With less than 96 hours beginning of voting in the dozen or so states with Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, Trump is slated to beat Rubio by double+double digits in that senator’s home state of Florida. The same goes for Ohio, but with admittedly less spectacular point spreads. Trump also stands a good chance of beating Cruz in his own home state of Texas. Cruz has only won a single state caucus so far, in Iowa, and he had to lie and cheat Dr Ben Carson to achieve that.
As for Rubio, all he has accomplished thus far in this month of February has been to show all of America that he can compete with Cruz for 2nd or 3rd place finishes. You’re probably a bright guy, BR.
So it will take some deus ex machina will reaching down from the heavens during these rapidly disappearing hours in the next few days to deter the vast millions of us from putting Trump into position to wipe the floor with Hillary Clinton at their debates later this year. She is now widely known as the illegal email-female who imagines that because of her gender, 2016 should be her year to louse up the USA even more than both Bushes, her husband Bill, and Obama saddled us with. And with that will be the termination of what was supposed to be the Clinton dynasty.
Arnold Harris, Outspeaker
Cruz & Rubio yesterday showed how to attack Trump. They scored a lot of points in the debate.
No it is not all likely that this will matter for GOP nomination race. Too little to late. Rubio finally grew a pair of huevous and attacked unscripted.
Importing illegal Polish workers, hiring other illegal workers in a hotel. Fraud charges against in his failed University where he claimed it will have the greatest Professors and everyone was promised they could become a real estate tycoon like Donald. All turned out to be hype and bluster (sound familiar)!
I know the people who are his loyal fans will rail and scream and will not care and they will vote for him the primary.
This and the taxes he is hiding (no when you are being audited you may release the taxes publicly) are were the Hillary and the lame stream media will mercilessly attack Trump.
Yes Hillary has an equal amount of baggage to go after (the media excluding Fox will side with Hillary)!
So it will come down to Florida and Ohio. If Trump looses Florida can he win Pennsylvania to counter?