While I think that the characterization of the Trump campaign as a start-up is interesting, I don’t think it really explains what we’ve witnessed. Trump’s campaign is an insurgency. That was pointed out as early as February of this year by John Robb:
Trump is trouncing the competition. He’s doing so well that the prediction systems give him a 81% chance of winning the nomination — despite the opposition of the entire Republican establishment.
What’s most surprising to many pundits and analysts is that Trump has done this without presenting all of the detail plans, voluminous position papers, etc. that we’ve come to expect over the last couple of decades.
He has simply refused to play by those rules, and he’s not paid a price for it.
Trump is able to pull this off because he’s not running a political campaign. Instead, he’s running an insurgency.
We are presently in the third phase of that insurgency. The first phase of the insurgency was waged against the other presidential candidates in the Republican Party. Then attention was turned to defeating Hillary Clinton.
This insurgency is presently in its third phase and that’s directed against the major media outlets, the civil bureaucracy, and other entrenched power structures, mostly in Washington, DC. In each phase Trump has successfully insinuated himself into his opponents’ OODA loop. If you’re looking for consistency in Trump’s policies, start there. Don’t expect what he’s said at the various stages of his insurgency to be internally consistent. He’s said whatever’s been necessary to get into his opponents’ heads.
You can see the Trump insurgency as dark and sinister, as completely ego-driven, or take it at face value. I’m skeptical that Mr. Trump’s strategies can be applied to actual governance but who knows? It’s hard to deny that it’s Fourth Generation Warfare as applied to politics.
Of course, the problem with insurgencies is they tend to have a difficult time transitioning from conflict to governance once they win.
Yup.
Not if they delegate well. Looking at the appointments Trump’s made so far, I think he’s listening to some good advice. I would stop underestimating this president elect.
The appointments could be a lot worse and some could be quite good, however I still think his Presidency will be plagued by scandal – He will have possibly the most hostile press corps ever and he’s a walking conflict of interest. I have my doubts he can overcome his grifter instincts and put the office above promoting his own brand.
With all due respect, not what I see. I think he wants to be respected, admired, and remembered, I doubt he’ll open any new “Universities”, now that he’s pres.
Let’s hope you’re right – time will certainly tell!