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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump is coming unraveled and Republicans know it: Robert Reich
https://www.rawstory.com/2017/10/trump-is-coming-unraveled-and-republicans-know-it-robert-reich/?comments=disqus"Last week, Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, charged in an interview with the New York Times that Trump was treating his office like a reality show, with reckless threats toward other countries that could set the nation on the path to World War III.
Corker said he was concerned about Trump. He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation, Corker said, adding that the vast majority of our caucus understands what were dealing with here the volatility that were dealing with and the tremendous amount of work that it takes by people around him to keep him in the middle of the road.
Corkers interview was followed by a report from Gabriel Sherman of Vanity Fair, who wrote that the situation has gotten so out of control that Trumps chief of staff, John Kelly, and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis have discussed ways to stop Trump should he order a nuclear attack. Kelly has tried to keep Trump focused by intercepting outside phone calls to the White House and restricting access to the Oval Office. Many of Trumps advisors believe he is unstable and unravelling quickly.
Is Trump really unraveling? Are Republican leaders ready to pull the plug? I phoned an old friend, a Republican former member of Congress who keeps up with whats going on. I scribbled notes as he talked:
Me: So whats up? Is Corker alone, or are others also ready to call it quits with Trump?
He: All I know is theyre simmering over there.
Me: Flake and McCain have come pretty close.
He: Yeah. Others are thinking about doing what Bob did. Sounding the alarm. They think Trumps nuts. Unfit. Dangerous.
Me: Well, they already knew that, didnt they?
He: But now its personal. It started with the Sessions stuff. Jeff was as loyal as they come. Trumps crapping on him was like kicking your puppy. And then, you know, him beating up on Mitch for the Obamacare fiasco. And going after Flake and the others.
Me: So theyre pissed off?
He: Not just that. I mean, they have thick hides. The personal stuff got them to notice all the other things. The wild stuff, like those threats to North Korea. Tillerson would leave tomorrow if he wasnt so worried Trump would go nuclear, literally.
Me: You think Trump is really thinking nuclear war?
He: Who knows whats in his head? But I can tell you this. Hes not listening to anyone. Not a soul. Hes got the nuclear codes and, well, it scares the hell out of me. Its starting to scare all of them. Thats really why Bob spoke up.
Me: So what could they do? I mean, even if the whole Republican leadership was willing to say publicly hes unfit to serve, what then?
He: Bingo! The emperor has no clothes. Its a signal to everyone they can bail. Have to bail to save their skins. I mean, Trump could be the end of the whole goddam Republican party.
Me: If he starts a nuclear war, that could be the end of everything.
He: Yeah, right. So when they start bailing on him, the stage is set.
Me: For what?
He: Impeachment. 25th amendment.
Me: You think Republicans would go that far?
He: Not yet. Heres the thing. They really want to get this tax bill through. Thats all they have going for them. They dont want to face voters in 18 or 20 without something to show for it. Theyre just praying Trump doesnt do something really, really stupid before the tax bill.
Me: Like a nuclear war?
He: Look, all I can tell you is many of the people I talk with are getting freaked out. Its not as if theres any careful strategizing going on. Not like, well, do we balance the tax bill against nuclear war? No, no. Theyre worried as hell. Theyre also worried about Trump crazies, all the ignoramuses hes stirred up. I mean, Roy Moore? How many more of them do you need to destroy the party?
Me: So whats gonna happen?
He: You got me. Im just glad Im not there anymore. Trumps not just a moron. Hes a despicable human being. And hes getting crazier. Paranoid. Unhinged. Everyone knows it. I mean, were in shit up to our eyeballs with this guy."
These greedy fucking bastards are willing to trade our safety for their goddamned tax cuts. That is how greedy and corrupt they are.
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Trump is coming unraveled and Republicans know it: Robert Reich (Original Post)
smirkymonkey
Oct 2017
OP
mnhtnbb
(31,407 posts)1. It's all about $$ to Republicans.
Irish_Dem
(47,482 posts)2. Does anyone else think that things are worse behind the scenes than we know?
We can see for ourselves Trump's mental illness and dementia in his public appearances and tweets.
But people who interact with him see more than we do and they are sounding the alarm loud and clear.
I think there is more going on then we are being told.
Edited to add: People outside the beltway usually do not know the full story about our politicians.
Beltway insiders usually have the full picture.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)5. I don't get why they don't pull the plug.
The only thing I can think of is that nobody wants to piss off his very loyal base.
I'm kind of wondering if they might pull an "assassination" during one of his trips abroad and blame it on someone who isn't from the US. That would be an easy out.
Irish_Dem
(47,482 posts)9. Trump is a powder keg and has to be handled with kid gloves or he could blow up the world.
And when I say he could blow up the world, I mean that literally.
Gothmog
(145,631 posts)3. Trump is unfit to be POTUS
patricia92243
(12,604 posts)4. Pence would pass the tax bill, so there is no valid reason to "wait." n/t
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)6. I think they are afraid of his rabid "base".
See above.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)7. huge thread here
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)8. Thanks! Sorry, I missed that one.