As
Trump Veers from Traditional GOP, He Bends It Toward Him
Republicans made an uneasy bargain with the
president, but it is his party now more than ever
By Gerald F. Seib The
Wall Street Journal June 18, 2018
There are three related but separate
explanations. One is the nature of the implicit bargain Republicans have made
with the president. The second is Mr. Trump’s tightening grip on the party’s
base. And the third is simple fear of crossing him.
The upshot is that the GOP has become Mr. Trump’s party in recent weeks, far more than before.
From the outset of the Trump era, traditional Republicans, and many conservative activists, essentially have accepted a kind of deal with the president. He would provide them help on three issues of great importance to most mainstream Republicans: tax cuts, deregulation and appointment of conservative judges.
