The Iraq War was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then Hurricane Katrina was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then Trump becoming the party’s nominee was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then Trump winning the electoral college in 2016 was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then the botched response to Covid was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then the January 6 attack was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then Trump winning the nomination again was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then DOGE was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then tariffs was supposed to be the GOP’s death knell.
Then…
OK, the point is that we are closing in a dozen death knells, yet here is the Republican Party, in control of all three branches of government and executing its maniacal agenda with incredible speed (although not with incredible efficiency).
Also, this theoretically moribund political movement currently enjoys a higher approval rating than its opposition.
But it hasn’t stopped political commentators from declaring, “This is really it. The death knell of the GOP is coming. We mean it this time.”
Yup, I’m sure this time it will be different.
In truth, the fight between progressives and conservatives will likely go on as long as this country exists. Of course, that might not be for very much longer, but let’s be bold and optimistic.
There are many reasons to believe that the GOP is doomed in the long run, ranging from the dismal history of xenophobic political parties to the high death rate of the Republican base to the likelihood of right-wing implosion.
But even if the GOP goes the way of the Whigs, there will always be a remnant of lunacy in American culture. There will always be a large contingent of people who feed on fear, hatred, and ignorance. The objects of their scorn and the wars they declare will look different, but there will never be a time when progressives will sit back and say, “Everybody relax. We won.”
Consider that even if Trump literally destroyed America, 20% of the survivors would still worship him. Another 20% would turn on him, but refuse to admit that liberals were right. They would eventually go back to voting Republican (or the equivalent in a post-apocalyptic society that still allowed voting) in the next election. So even in a worst-case scenario, about 40% of Americans would continue to reject liberalism.
Clearly, there will never be a death knell that abruptly finishes off the right-wing mindset.
The fight is permanent and unending.
