In a democracy power is important.  As George H. Bush exited the stage in 2008 people were ready for a change.  To their surprise a young Senator named Barack Obama secured the presidency.  He was young, promised change and yes, was African American.  His supporters were ecstatic and even some staunch republicans figured how bad could it be?  After all the economy was in a historic downfall.

Obama’s presidency broke traditional norms, especially from those who felt a certain way of how the country should be governed.  Once he got settled in, those whose norms were turned upside-down or who had a different ideology caught their breath and went to work, all in a strategic effort to disrupt and marginalize his presidency.

Donald Trump, known as a master conspiracy theorist, came on the scene and went to work.  He provided great appeal to those who were skeptical about Obama.  The GOP scored big in the 2010 primary and were licking their chops knowing Obama’s days were numbered as the 2012 presidential election loomed.  To their chagrin Obama pulled the hat trick and was reelected.  The writing was on the wall, even though many dismissed basic facts.  The GOP’s hardline stance on cultural issues, race and other factors were like an albatross around their neck as it related to national political races.

Trump’s popularity picked up steam and in 2015 he bludgeoned traditional GOP presidential candidates while securing the party’s nomination for the 2016 election.   Over the years, many came to accept Trump’s antics, although some simply defined his behavior as savvy or shrewd.  His bluster took center stage as his gift for gab became a rallying cry and the party felt they had finally found someone who could rebuild the GOP.  Considered a master salesman, Trump knew which buttons to push and what to say to convince those in the party to give him the keys to the White House.  He got the keys and quickly went into three-card monte mode.  He promised Supreme Court judges, tax cuts and a few policies which were critically important to the party.  In exchange he received permission to operate in a manner never seen by a United State president.  Some call it grif or patronage or simply ripping off the public.  He maintained a very charismatic posture and even those who you would have thought knew better realized it was too late as they were spellbound by the cultist support, he had created.  From their desperation from allowing Obama to gain two terms, they created the Trump effect to take over the party.  It comes to no surprise that many warned the GOP of Trump’s criminal behavior tendencies.  Unfortunately, many chose to look the other way, while some were quite vocal that his administration operated akin to a mob family.

So, while the GOP appears to be stuck with their choice in allowing Donald Trump to be their leader, his behavior in being shackled with indictment after indictment gives many in the party the Rip Van Winkle effect: What in the hell happened to our party?  In 2018 he lost control of the House.  In 2020 he lost control of the Senate and the Presidency.  His legal box score has been historic.  He has two impeachments under his belt.   With the latest indictment on Tuesday for his efforts to try and stay in power, that makes three or it is four indictments he is facing.  And that does not include the Georgia indictment which should be handed down any day.  All this while he and his supporters claim he had done nothing wrong, let alone simply communicate free speech.  Regardless of your party affiliation one simply must ask why one person gets caught up in so much legal turmoil?  Is it truly a witch-hunt?  And, if so, why are his so-called enemies out to get him?  Is he that charismatic and his positives outweigh his negatives?   All interesting questions but a professor once reminded their students of a simple adage, “A hundred Frenchman can’t be wrong!”

---

[postscript]   Donald Trump was arraigned today at the Federal Courthouse in Washington, DC.  As anticipated he pled 'NOT GUILTY" to the charges presented by special counsel Jack Smith.  Trump's attorney's and his supporters claim the case boils down to FREE SPEECH which they claim he is entitled.  Jack Smith and the prosecution see it a bit different as while they acknowledge Trump has free-speech authorities, the crimes they are alleging is his conduct and direction to criminally violate the laws.  Interestingly the next hearing is on the same day as the 60th anniversary of the iconic March on Washington, August 28, 2023.