In the beginning, “The Establishment” meant the members of the permanent, wealthy, donor class, who support only those who fit and promote their party-controlling agenda. Since almost the start of this election cycle, that term was used to describe (not always accurately) those like Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and the like.
Now? The term means nothing. Now? All it boils down to is being against Trump. If you don’t support Trump, well then, you’re part of the filthy Establishment. You don’t like the outsider…who, uh, supposedly fights. Heck, you might not even love America. At least that’s what they, members of the Trump brigade, gleefully claim.
Last night, after Ted Cruz’s win in Wisconsin, that claim was again used to sum up Trump’s second place finish. The pouting members of the Trump campaign claimed The Establishment and Lyin’ Ted stole Wisconsin!!
NEW: Trump campaign statement tonight pic.twitter.com/ycqP3IJYWn
— Robert Costa (@costareports) April 6, 2016
It’s just parody at this point, really. The term has lost any meaning.
If we’re talking about a candidate who wants to hijack what it means to be a conservative, and attempt to ride that vehicle to substance-free victory, that person is Trump. As stated before, I consider myself a conservative who happens to be a registered Republican. I don’t vote just for the (R) candidate because I’m a GOP robot. I think about my vote, and if the person with the (R) next to their name doesn’t represent me or actual conservatism, they will not get my support. I’ve done it before when voting, and I’ll do it again. Thus, Trump will never receive my support. As we are acutely aware, he is no conservative.
Trump’s candidacy seeks to redefine the party, and not in a good way. The only good that can come out of his candidacy is an about-face by current members of the GOP who have become disgruntled with its trajectory, but too complacent or unwilling to change. The thought of a Trump presidency should make us uncomfortable. While his side claims The Establishment wishes to deny him power, it is we, the mostly non-D.C. inhabitants who make up the electorate, who see both “sides” and agree there can be something much better. Neither party bosses who are out-of-touch, nor a candidate who is willfully fooling many, should lead us in a new direction.
At this point, the only option for support is Cruz. I supported Walker, then Rubio, but clearly, the man who has, for a while, been the only viable option against Donald is Ted. And what do we see when looking at Cruz? He is more of an outsider than Trump supporters will admit, and certainly not one to “get in line” with the whims of the party leaders. He has ruffled feathers, and in a good way.
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