Many others who write about politics continue to blame Donald Trump for the destruction of the Republican Party. They are giving the real estate magnate far too much credit. If this was the 1980’s and real Republicans remained in control of the GOP, he would be laughed off of the stage. His extremist views regarding immigration, religion, and carpet bombing alone would reveal him as a buffoon, and not a legitimate candidate for the presidency.

The truth is that the Republican Party has been in self-destruct mode since the 2000 election campaign.

Fearing that Bill Clinton’s presidency would be followed by another successful Democratic administration, leaders of the GOP adopted a new campaign method; very similar to the ones used by today’s right wing candidates; attack. Whether it was the truth or not; attack.

This policy was not reserved for Democrats alone. In the 2000 campaign season, John McCain was gaining in popularity. The Bush organization made allegations including against McCain, including illegitimate children, homosexuality, and a drug-addict wife. These smear tactics worked, and Bush received the party’s nomination.

This was the first time in history that a candidate from either party won the nomination without standing for a single issue; the ugliness had begun. Bush did have one slogan: “I am a uniter, not a divider.” This proved to be the most fallacious statement every made by a presidential wannabee. In 2009, when Bush left office, our nation was more divided than at any other time in history since the Civil War.

The win by Bush resulted in a new campaign strategy, which continues today.

Then came the TEA Party in 2010. It added to the discourse in Washington with policies of extremism and obstruction. They promised never to negotiate with Democrats. Without strong leadership, John Boehner’s House, and McConnell’s Senate came under the control of the loudest voices; the TEA Party.

Washington began to experience serious gridlock in 2009. It only escalated after 2010 introduction of the ‘party of no,’ until our system was entirely broken.

Frustration was not limited to Democrats and Independents alone. Republican voters gave Congress a less than ten-percent approval rating; low approval ratings continue to exist today.

Moving ahead to 2015. The first member of the GOP to declare his intention was Ted Cruz; the leader of the TEA Party. Soon another member of the party of obstruction joined Cruz; Marco Rubio.

In previous election years Trump suggested that he might place himself in contention for the presidency; in 2015 he finally declared himself as a candidate for the Republican nomination.

At first the general reaction was humor. But very quickly his numbers began to rise in the polls. Supporters were asked why they favored ‘the Donald.’ They said that he spoke to them about the issues and stood for something. Republican Party leadership panicked, and made multiple efforts to derail Trump; they failed miserably.

Trump has not been above using the attack mode, but for him it is working. His attacks are based on the weaknesses of his opponents, and Republican voters continue to listen.

Trump is not the villain; he’s not even a part of the cause of Republican failure. He is merely the result of years of ineffective leadership, a lack of positive ideas, and disgust with the failure of our elected officials to do their jobs.

Voters also appreciate the fact that he does not have a Super PAC, and is not obligated to support anyone but the American people.

I have no prediction as to the outcome of the 2016 election; at least not today. But I am certain of one thing; either the Republican Party returns to its roots; representing the majority instead of special interests; unless it moves forward and adopts ideas which will move our nation into the 21^st century, it will cease to exist.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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