Norwegian debate, Simen A. Johannessen

A survey conducted by Economist/YouGov in February this year, Donald Trump gives good reason to have a little extra ketchup on his favorite hamburger. Among Republican voters, 36 percent now believe he is the best president the United States has had. Ever.

It’s hefty.

Ronald Reagan, who most Republicans traditionally refer to with damp eyes and a lump in his throat, is relegated to second place with 18 percent.

When the same survey was conducted in 2018, 36 percent thought that Reagan was the best ever. But now the throne has been taken over by The Donald. And that by a superior margin.

Also read: Godfather Trump is more powerful in the party than ever

Outside the United States, the debate is largely about whether Trump was an almost ok president, or a wandering disaster. The idea that he should be the best of all time is a little absurd.

The Norwegian who after Covid-19 walks into a nachspiel with the goal of convincing the rest of the assembly that Trump reigns at the top of the presidential podium should probably be wearing protective equipment.

This popularity, and the disgust Republican sympathizers feel toward Obama and his Vice President Biden, who now controls the ship, explains why Republican lawmakers still refer to Trump as “Oh great God.”

Republicans need Trump. He can still fill large concert stages, and not least get people to open their wallets and give money to the party and individual candidates. The moment Trump expels you from his sect, the political career is most likely over.

Trump has an iron grip on the grassroots, and through it he controls the entire Republican party.

I also think it helps Trump that 79 percent of Democratic voters believe he is the worst president the United States has had. It fits with his own storytelling. Then he can claim that the urban, and to a large extent democratic elite, in no way understands his greatness and consequently does not understand his voters either. He plays on the polarization, and amplifies it.

Here you can read more posts by Simen A. Johannessen.

Trump’s motives for what he’s doing are, I think, quite simple.

It’s about preserving the value of the Trump brand and the personal desire for money, cult of personality and media attention. The content of the policy, in addition to paying the least possible tax, probably interests him even less now than when he was president.

What this means for the Republican Party’s support going forward is impossible to know. Many believe that Trump’s sect, even though it is large, does not stand to win elections. They believe the party must distance itself from the former president, and build a new and broad political platform.

Here you can read more posts from the Norwegian debate.

But who in the party will do it is not easy to see.

No one wants to throw away the glove and go in the ring against what many believe is the best president the United States has had. They know that Trump is still able to both grab and kick right under his belt.

Simen A. Johannssen, senior advisor in the PR agency Gambit H + K. Blogs about politics and communication.

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