OPINION:
With another election, the resiliency of the American system continues to inspire. Americans have shown not only themselves but the world that they know the formula for American exceptionalism. It’s not slouching toward socialism or injecting Marxism into the recipe. It’s not an abandonment of God or faith that breeds social and intellectual chaos.
Americans demonstrated a level of discernment and intelligence that liberal elites believe is beyond the capacity of the proletariat. They voted the way they did not because they universally love Donald Trump, though millions do, but because they understand the path of the nation’s future was at stake.
In the wake of the election, Democrats continue to prove how disconnected they’ve become from the people. They are still straining to comprehend that this nation will reject open borders, sterilizing children, drag queens in elementary schools and siccing the FBI on Catholics, to say nothing of a blind fidelity to mass media.
Democrats, it appears, have no desire for introspection or modulation. Over the last week, they’ve leaned into Trump Derangement Syndrome and the other symptoms of what Elon Musk calls the “woke mind virus.” Their old favorite explanations for losing including misogyny, White supremacy, patriarchy and racism have taken center stage. They’re even calling Hispanics racists for voting for Mr. Trump.
There was the rhetoric about America entering a “dark period” from the vanquished Kamala Harris, pledges by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey to protect illegals and vows to keep fighting Mr. Trump by New York’s attorney general, Leticia James, and its hapless governor, Kathy Hochul, despite his mandate to govern.
Celebrities are talking about fleeing the country and schools are creating safe spaces and puppy therapy sessions for students. Digital platforms are full of posts by angry young women promoting divorcing Trump-supporting husbands and abstinence from sex and having children to make the 54% of men who voted for the president-elect pay a heavy price.
Democrats are in the throes of denial and a psychotic episode, lashing out after trying in vain to conceal an extreme agenda with a cringeworthy candidate dubbed the “word salad queen.”
Party leaders have good reason to melt down. Mr. Trump’s performance with Hispanic voters, which could crest over 45%, support from 25% of Black men, appeal with private union workers, a 20-point swing in his favor with Catholics and more big gains mean big trouble for the left.
Never before have we seen cracks in the Democratic voter coalition like those that were pried open as with a crowbar by a disciplined campaign and a message of plain old common sense. It has created exceptional political momentum for Republicans, if they can keep it.
The Democratic coalition is now largely angry single White women, single-issue abortion voters, trans activists, academics, self-proclaimed journalists and public sector union members — including those in the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which are cratering our nation’s public schools.
These fissures can close if they’re not widened by Mr. Trump’s agenda over the next four years. He has the ability to relegate the Democratic Party to a bloc of coastal elites. Active engagement with the Black, Hispanic, Catholic and Jewish communities must be considered an indispensable component of both the Republican National Committee’s and the administration’s operations. That’s about messaging, policy, showing up and building political infrastructure.
More than anything, real results on illegal immigration, crime, inflation, religious liberty, dismantling the censorship complex, respect for life and bringing innovation to government that will reduce the burden from Washington on every American.
Running a campaign is hard. Governing is harder. Here, too, Mr. Trump has a tremendous advantage.
He knows transitions and the early days of an administration can be chaotic if improperly managed. He knows now that the quality of the appointees and placing them quickly in key agencies matters. His electoral mandate and truncated administration timeline mean he will have more success than last time around recruiting the best and the brightest to serve Americans.
Instead of relying solely on political straphangers, Mr. Trump can build a team of experienced professionals with relevant private and public sector experience. People such as Mr. Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may make Beltway denizens nervous, but that’s the kind of creative disruption that can lead to bold reforms that take back power from the unelected bureaucracy.
The president-elect has been given a historic second chance. Capitalizing on this opportunity won’t just make America stronger, freer and more prosperous. It could blunt the advance of the socialists and Marxists in our politics, government and other critical institutions. That would be something to celebrate.
• Tom Basile is the host of “America Right Now” on Newsmax TV and is a columnist with The Washington Times.
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