Politics of survival

But as the billionaire dealer and transcontinental businessman that he was before entering the White House, he has survived, in fact, conquered many a threat – even from the law. But this time it is politics, and from what has been happening around him, it is beginning to look like cut-throat politics. Support from Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan has grown cool. Senior Republican Senator John McCain (R) questions Trump’s judgement, especially on the “Russian connection” and the sudden dismissal of FBI Director James Comey who had signalled his intention to inquire into the alleged pro-Trump “Russian interference” in the last US election and as well, the role of Trump’s aide, General Michael Flynn.

Trump and Russian President Putin both deny such interference.

Last Thursday, however, the world was told by Reuters (news agency) that “eighteen contacts” were made between Russia and Trump’s campaign advisers. This added to the current blowout. Politically weakened, Trump’s reply was “all this is hurting the US, too negative.” Reuters’ disclosure added fuel to the fire that now occupies all media, especially TV talk shows. A media frenzy.

And there is the salivating throng of “I told you so’s” waiting for blood.

It’s like a self-fulfilling prophesy from last November coming true some six months after. There is indeed a big fight ahead, pressing Trump to coerce as many Republicans as he can to stand in front as he did with replacing Obamacare.

But some Republicans now compare Trump’s situation to former President Richard Nixon’s impeachment for “obstruction of justice” in the infamous Watergate scandal.

So Trump moves into survival gear.

Through a news leak, he is accused of trying to influence FBI’s Comey to stay away from any Russian inquiry – an apparent Nixon-type “obstruction of justice” charge. He claims that no other president “has been treated so unfairly” as he is.

He questions an independent inquiry into the Russian affair. After smashing the media before and soon after assuming office, calling them names from “crazy,” to “shameless” and “fake news,” last week he invited the anchors of the major TV stations for lunch. The politics of survival. After all, a US president enjoys some immunity and high-powered privileges too.

You see, there are classical techniques politicians - even emperors or princes – could use for survival.

Let’s take three. One, they can retreat into their natural constituencies, meaning labour, business or ethnicity, making it appear that if they lose, the entire constituency loses too. Two, they can form fresh alliances with attractive promises.

Three, they can boast of their many achievements “for the people” while making themselves look like aggrieved victims of jealousy and ingratitude.

Sentimental stuff.

America’s democracy is quite different from our frozen Westminster- type democracy. Trump, for example, looked as if he never knew appointing a Supreme Court judge would have been so difficult. The transparency shocked his business sense. He seemed not to recognise the constitutional limits to an executive order. His executive order to ban immigration from certain Muslim countries was blocked by judges.

And further, publicly objected to by Acting Attorney General, the feisty Sally Yates. He fired her as an “Obama AG.” Three months into his unexpected presidency, he admitted he had thought being president “was easier.” Which prime minister in this country did not think so too? If the obstacles to impeachment do come down, it will not necessary mean fresh elections. The US has fixed date for that, unlike Britain where PM Theresa May called an early election for June 7. This anti-establishment man who came to “drain the Washington swamp,” now finds himself swamped by establishment threats. Last year, in the Republican run-off for presidential nomination, Trump beat 17 contenders. They now lie in waiting, wondering if not wishing. He may survive in spite of surrounding dangers.

The politics of survival.