Red Sweep. The American Republican Party, whose symbol color is red, swept the Senate and House of Representatives. This means that the party has a majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively. With the return of Donald Trump, they have taken over presidential (executive) power and have complete control over the legislative branch. Considering the Federal Supreme Court (Judiciary), which is considered to be conservative, the checks and balances expected by the separation of powers in legislative, judiciary and administration are at risk.
Clear signs are already emerging. Breaking news continues that White House staff and ministerial positions are being filled with loyalists. Representative examples include Attorney General nominee Matt Gates, who was accused of prostitution of minors, and Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who adheres to unscientific beliefs such as anti-vaccination. I’m sure there are quite a few Americans who wish that loyalists weren’t just another way of saying ‘yes men.’ Even if the object of allegiance is not Trump but the United States, it is inevitable that the adage ‘patriotism is a refuge for villains’ will ring in your head.
I wonder how Abraham Lincoln (16th President of the United States, in office from March 1861 to April 1865), the founder of the Republican Party, would react if he were alive. The first thing Lincoln did when he was elected president was to seek cooperation from rival political factions and distribute ministerial positions to political opponents within the party. William Seward and Salmon Chase, who had competed in the party’s presidential primary, were appointed as Secretary of State and Treasury, respectively, and the cabinet was created as a ‘Team of Rivals’ (named after Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book). The nickname ‘Melting Pot Cabinet’ is not awkward. Lincoln, of course, had a weak base within his party. It was also a special time of civil war. Nevertheless, the melting pot cabinet contrasts dramatically with the loyalist cabinet.
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It seems as if we can hear the funeral of the founding fathers of the United States, who designed the democratic republican constitution of the newly independent country. Just by translating a few passages from 『The Federalist Papers』, a collection of editorials condensing fundamental issues and concerns about the new U.S. Constitution, you can see that this cannot be groundless speculation. Editorial No. 51 is scathing. “If men were angels, there would be no need for any government. If angels ruled over men, there would be no need for any external or internal control of government.” Yes. Because it is a human government, control is essential. Editorial No. 47 warns. This means that if all legislative, executive, and judiciary powers are held by the same force, it can become a tyranny. The Federalist Essays are a collection of 85 essays by three contemporary polemicists, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
If control or checks and balances within the government, that is, between state agencies, are difficult, what remains is only checks and balances between political parties and within political parties. The Democratic Party’s competitiveness against the ruling Republican Party, and most importantly, the capabilities of the ‘internal opposition’ within the Republican Party. (Seoul = Yonhap News, Reporter Ko Hyeong-gyu, [email protected])
※ This article was written with reference to the following materials.
1. Full text of 『The Federalist Papers』―
2. Translated by Park Chan-pyo, Federalist, Humanitas, 2019
3. Jaesoo Yoo, Economic Presidents who shook the world, Samsung Economic Research Institute, 2013
4. Roh Moo-hyun, Lincoln met by Roh Moo-hyun, Hakgojae, 2001
5. Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture ‘Separation into three volumes’ –
6. Yonhap News November 15 article –
7. National Institute of the Korean Language Standard Korean Dictionary (Online)
Report via KakaoTalk okjebo
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2024/11/18 05:55 Sent
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What are the implications of the ‘Red Sweep’ for future political strategies in the U.S.?
Guest 1: Thank you for having me here. My name is Dr. John Smith, and I am a political science professor at Harvard University.
Guest 2: Good morning, I’m Sarah Johnson, a political commentator and journalist based in Washington D.C.
Interviewer: Both of you have extensive experience studying and analyzing American politics. Let’s start with the recent events that led to the triumph of the Republican Party in the United States. Professor Smith, can you provide your insight on the reasons behind the ‘Red Sweep’ that took place in the Senate and House of Representatives?
Dr. Smith: Well, the Red Sweep was not entirely unexpected given the strong backlash against President Biden’s agenda, especially on issues like immigration and taxation. However, the extent of the Republican victories was surprising to many. The Democrats failed to adequately communicate their policy achievements to the electorate, and the GOP’s mobilization efforts paid off, especially in key swing states. In addition, the Supreme Court’s conservative leanings and its recent decisions on hot-button issues like abortion further energized Republican voters.
Interviewer: Sarah, do you agree with this assessment? How significant is the loyalist cabinet that the new administration is planning to form?
Sarah: I think it’s a fair analysis, but I am concerned about the potential consolidation of power in the hands of a single party. The loyalist cabinet could spell trouble for checks and balances in government, as it suggests an unwillingness to engage with opposing viewpoints. I believe the Republican Party did not expect such a sweeping victory, and now they find themselves with immense power. How they choose to exercise this power will be crucial in determining the health of American democracy.
Interviewer: Now, let’s shift gears and talk about the 2024 presidential elections. Will the Republicans maintain this level of dominance, or will the Democrats be able to make a comeback? Dr. Smith, what are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Smith: It’s too early to predict with certainty, but it will be a challenging environment for Democrats. The current political climate favors Republicans, and if they deliver on their campaign promises and manage to maintain unity
