I do not think most of the so-called “Republican base” are actually Republicans. I think they are a composite of the Tea Party and Libertarians with a strong mix of white supremacists as well as gun rights fanatics. These are not the old “Main Street” Republicans. The old Republican Party is using and is also being hijacked by this “base.” It is sort of a mutual taking advantage of each other.
I think there is a split coming down the road here. Republican philosophy is not part of this mix and is being forced into the background. Old school Republicans have been willing to do this in order to keep their hands on power and money. I think this relationship is being strained and is probably going to break. If it does not, then the Republican Party will have to redefine itself.
If this happens, it will not be anything like the Republican Party of Eisenhower or even Reagan. What will result in my opinion, is basically a marriage of the “George Wallace” South and the Tea Party with the Libertarians acting as maids of honor. Americans need to wake up and see what is going on. There are no good outcomes if this continues like it is. The guardrails being provided by our Constitution are being severely tested and may not keep the country on the road of democracy.
A long time ago, Benjamin Franklin was asked, as he came out of the final meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, “What kind of a government will we have?” Frank replied, “You have a republic if you can keep it.”
A Vermonter Writes - A Pathfinder 