Every one of the 118 candidates Donald Trump endorsed won. Every. Single. Candidate. And some, like Ken Paxton, won in a landslide. I’ve been following politics for more than half a century; I can’t recall anything like it.
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They just don’t get it. Pundits, Republican and Democrat alike, think it’s all Trump. They think he’s all-powerful, the king of MAGA. He rules the Republican Party, and none may stand against him. They couldn’t be more wrong.
Democrats are too damaged by Trump Derangement Syndrome. RINOs think they’re the one, true faith. Some other Republicans get caught up in their egos and their precious principles, so they cross the aisle to help the Democrats pass gun control. That’s largely what wiped out John Cornyn—voting for gun control in Texas. Even so, Trump might have withheld the endorsement he gave Ken Paxton, or perhaps endorsed Cornyn, but Republicans earned, yet again, their “stupid party” brand:
Graphic: X Post
Thom Tillis decided he was a “principled” Republican, and stood up for the uniparty:
Graphic: X Post
Bill Cassidy voted with Democrats to impeach Trump. Trump didn’t forget. Neither did Louisiana voters. And Thomas Massie also got principled and got on the Democrat antisemitic bandwagon. That didn’t work out well for him either:
Graphic: X Post
To fully understand what’s going on, it’s important to know the fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats need a savior, a politician who will make them feel good, smart, and morally superior. A politician who will provide for their needs and smite their enemies. A superhuman being capable of brushing aside trifles like the Constitution and the rule of law to secure Communist/Islamist policies.
Republicans are inherently wary of politicians, just as they were in 2015 when Trump announced his candidacy. They are, however, willing to be pleasantly surprised. They’re not looking for saviors or good feelz. They’re looking for a leader who will uphold the Constitution and enforce the rule of law. They’re looking for the values embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They want politicians to keep their promises, employ common sense, and above all, produce—do what they elected them to do.
MAGA isn’t a state of being or way of living. It’s a political philosophy only in that it finds American greatness in the intentions of the Founders, in the Declaration and Constitution, in secure borders and national security. It doesn’t mandate a monolithic mindset but does serve as a guideline by which other political philosophies and policies may be judged. If they don’t put America first, last, and always, if they don’t build and support America, they’re wrong.
Ultimately, MAGA is Americans asking: why the hell would any American president not put America first?
Trump doesn’t rule from above; he does what Americans from the bottom want and elected him to do. When Democrats express love for a politician, that’s a very different thing from when Republicans say they “love” Donald Trump. To Republicans, he’s no savior. He’s not “the One,” or “the Lightbringer.” He’s a flawed human being, just like them, but he’s also a man who knows things, builds things, and loves America and Americans. Even dogs and cats know who really loves them, and so do Normal Americans. Trump speaks plainly and backs up those words with action in America’s favor. He is also a fighter who fights for America and Americans, just as they do.
Shot in the ear, missing assassination by mere inches, bleeding profusely, Trump stood up and yelled: “Fight, fight, fight.” Normal Americans respected and expected that and couldn’t think of any other politician who would have done it. In his 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Steve Martin plays a manipulative evangelist, but finding a miracle, he said: “You don’t mess with the genuine article.” Donald Trump, for all his flaws, is the genuine article, not a miracle, but the right man at the right time.
Normal Americans—largely but not entirely Republicans, respect that, and so they support, even “love” Donald Trump.
Trump’s endorsements didn’t succeed because Donald Trump made them, but because he represents Normal Americans. They examined the people Trump endorsed and particularly the politicians he didn’t and agreed with his reasons, because they were their reasons too. Trump wants what they want, what they elected him to do. They want the SAVE Act by at least an 80/20 margin, exceedingly rare in contemporary American politics, and they sent a message by removing politicians who didn’t.
Donald Trump doesn’t rule; he leads. Normal Americans give him his marching orders and gladly follow.
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Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer, and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
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