Hanging by a Chad

From Bush II to the Tea Party

“We are an Empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you are studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we will be acting again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actor…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”

This revealing statement was made in 2004 to Ron Suskind of the New York Times by a staff member of President George W. Bush’s administration. It is widely believed to have been made by his campaign manager, Karl Rove. It exposes with shocking clarity how extreme and confident the aggressive wing of the Republican Party had become by the time it took control of the White House at the turn of the century.

They were ensconced in the White House due to a decision by the Supreme Court that I personally regard as scandalous. It remains heavily debated in legal, political, and historical contexts. This was one of the growing number of instances in which the candidate who won the popular vote lost the election. This case, however, was entirely unique and confounding. The Supreme Court effectively halted the vote recount in Florida while Bush remained ahead. There had been problems with voting machines in areas that were well known to support the Democratic Party.

Some failed to punch the small piece of paper all the way through, leaving behind “chads.” Due to a Republican challenge, the Court did not allow sufficient time to determine whether those chads should be counted, that is, whether all the votes should be counted. With the long pause for legal arguments, many other ballots also remained uncounted in addition to those with hanging chads. The irony is that the Court halted the recount to protect the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, but the immediate result was that uncounted ballots were effectively discarded. Interestingly, the majority ignored the procedures established by the Electoral Count Act of 1887 for resolving such Electoral College disputes. The Court’s 5-4 decision in favor of Bush fell entirely along ideological lines.

The administration of George W. Bush ended with a failing grade. The only two presidents to have lower approval ratings than Donald Trump were Richard Nixon and George W. Bush. Important decisions during his presidency consistently produced outcomes that can only be viewed as disastrous. Many resulted from Bush’s own perspective and preferences, while others stemmed from key members of his administration. These disasters are well remembered: the Great Recession; the staggering deficit, which increased dramatically for reasons extending beyond the wars and financial policies; the illegal use of torture, driven by the determination of Bush and his Attorney General; and the deceptions presented to the United Nations regarding Iraqi weapons programs.

Most damaging of all were the administration’s dishonesty toward the American public, the manipulation of public opinion through false information, and the terrible long-term consequences of the invasion of Iraq without sufficient cause. At the start of the war, several commentators referred to the conflict as a “cakewalk” war, yet it proved to be the greatest foreign-policy mistake in America’s history up to that time, creating a quagmire that damaged American foreign relations.

Ultimately, an even more radically conservative and imprudent wing of the conservative movement would sweep it aside. Funded and organized largely through “dark money,” the Tea Party was composed of uncompromising true believers, with the Koch brothers taking the lead in organizing fellow major donors. Its only self-congratulatory contribution was the obstruction of Democratic legislation. The “old establishment” and the traditional advocates of conservatism had finally caved in, succumbing to the overwhelming dominance of the wealthy elite.

Throughout American history, a certain percentage of Americans have been drawn to movements that turn radically to the right, such as the Ku Klux Klan, the radio movement led by Father Coughlin and the pro-fascist movements of the 1930s, McCarthyism, and the John Birch Society. Time after time, this constituency has represented roughly 25 to 30 percent of the population. It is not surprising that much of its membership came from the Southern states, supplemented by voters from the more isolated Western states.

In keeping with this historical pattern, the Tea Party emerged. The difference was that this time the goal was not merely to influence government, but to govern it. Yet because it was radically ideological, it was unable to govern as a majority. Instead, it dedicated its efforts to obstructing legislation it opposed, often describing policies such as Obamacare as socialistic and, at times, even labeling proposals as communism.

Although it never became more than a bloc dedicated to obstructing legislation, it amassed considerable wealth and influence. In states dominated by the Tea Party, no candidate could be elected without its support. Republican members of Congress determined to retain their positions fell in line, along with many elected officials at both the state and national levels. Notably, the Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner, resigned in frustration and disgust over the Tea Party’s refusal to follow his leadership.

At first, John McCain had overcome the Tea Party’s growing influence when the Republican Party nominated him for the presidency. He enjoyed broad personal popularity and enormous respect, not only as a genuine war hero but also as a man who could be depended upon to stand his ground. McCain was unfailingly faithful to his personal beliefs and standards, and even his opponents respected that integrity.

But that was not going to be enough unless he could motivate the Tea Party. To harness its momentum without betraying his good sense and integrity, McCain’s campaign staff convinced him to choose Sarah Palin as his running mate. She became an iconic figure within the Tea Party. After the election, Republican politics turned on its axis, and the Tea Party looked beyond the party’s congressional leadership and moved to take control of what had become a do-nothing, obstructionist party. John McCain watched this transformation unfold, and in the end, he died a deeply frustrated senator.

This Tea Party base of support for “conservatives” ultimately became the foundation of MAGA in 2016. Donald Trump recognized the opportunity presented and took the next step toward the chaos that would come to define his movement.

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