Friday, September 08, 2017

Not really a dilemma

While I agree that there are some serious issues with the Democrats working with Trump to get good things (or even just slightly-better-than-they-would-otherwise-be things) done, it is hard to see how this could be a political loser for Democrats. Sure, the Trump Administration is filled with radical rightwing nutjobs who are not going to help out with any Democratic priorities. And yes, Trump's good graces only last until his next mood swing. But I don't see any serious problem with, for example, working with Trump to pass the DREAM Act.

Not that I think that will happen. But if it did, I am sure some will claim that this may give Trump a victory and jeopardize the Democrats chance to win in 2018 or 2020. But that completely overlooks the fact that Trump is going to get a major backlash from his right if he really does start to work constructively with Democrats. Any rise in approval that Trump gets for working with Dems is going to be overwhelmed by the negative surge coming from within his own base.

Again, I am highly skeptical that right now marks any real turning point in how the President deals with Congressional Democrats. But I would love to be wrong about that. Not only would it blunt some of the terrible damage that Trump has already inflicted on this country, it will also create a real Republican civil war that will hobble their chances in future elections.