Politics Are Personal

     In my book American Ways, I identified the four corners of American politics:  money, issues, organizations, and personalities (pp. 168-171).  These four corners have provided the foundation of American politics since colonial times, but at different times some of these corners have appeared more prominently than others. 
     Money has always been important to pay for electoral campaigns.  It has also played a major role in competing interests trying to win advantage through contributions and favors in the public arena; in return for their support, they see the kinds of regulations and taxes that they desire.  They may also get repaid through government patronage and contracts.  The border between money as a form of freedom of speech and money as corruption has always been hazy.
     Issues have included both concrete matters, such as the gold standard in 1896 and the continuation of the New Deal in 1936, and abstract ideals, such as states' rights, personal liberties, and limited government.  They include political, social, and economic ideals and ideology. 
     Organizations relate primarily to political institutions and parties.  They provide the structure for the processes of American representative democracy.  Congress, for example, passes laws according to very specific rules of order.  Parties give cohesion and continuity between elections and the organization with which to get voters registered and delivered to the polls on election days.  For some political leaders, party loyalty may be more compelling than issues and maybe even money.
     During the 1980s, Speaker of the House "Tip" O'Neill claimed that all politics are local.  My corollary is that all politics are personal.  The personalities of candidates go a long way in attracting financial supporters and voters.  Successful political leaders often exude exceptional personal charm.  They can be poignant, charismatic, and entertaining.  They can arouse public emotions, either inspirational optimism or angry indignation.  Once in office, in complex negotiations over public policy the ability of leaders to trust each other and engage in productive inter-personal dealings count for a great deal.
     It presently appears that personalities are extremely important to President Donald Trump.  He was a well-known TV personality with high ratings before 2016 and he continues to crave public adulation in the White House.  He is very wealthy and not much concerned with money (besides his own).  He is not doctrinaire, contrary to much of his rhetoric; he is more interested in practical results than ideological purity.  In this regard, Trump is at odds with the rigidly opinioned Freedom Caucus in the House.  It has been reported that Trump does not care for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who highly values the integrity of the U.S. Senate and the long-term unity of the Republican Party.  Trump likes to make deals in public policy like he made real estate deals.  Therefore, he likes people he can relate to, joke with, respect, and ultimately trust.  Such a person may prove to be a Democrat:  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.  Looking forward, the compromises finally reached on Obamacare, immigration, budgets, and taxes may be reached through the social dynamics of the streets of New York.

(c) 2016 Stephen M. Millett (All rights reserved)