Despite the chaos, Trump has managed to push the most conservative agenda in a generation

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

A year into the Trump era, President Trump is living up to his advance billing as a “black swan” event for American politics — disrupting everything he touches. He has opened divisions and brought chaos to both parties, and the turmoil is not going to abate with the midterm election next year, no matter what the result. The GOP may never be the same, while a lurch further to the populist left by Democrats might be a formula for additional electoral disaster. The culture wars have gone thermonuclear, with institutions such as the NFL suddenly embroiled in heightened political controversy.

Trump’s critics on both left and right may claim vindication from the latest public opinion polls showing Trump’s personal approval rating at 38% or less, the lowest ever for a first-year president. This is an abysmal rating at a time of accelerating economic growth, near-full employment, rising consumer and business confidence, and no major foreign crisis or war under way.

But given the intra-party divisions, lack of legislative progress in Congress, and the general tumult around the White House, perhaps it is more remarkable that Trump’s approval rating is as high as it is. This reflects the solidity of his base, which remains as enthusiastic for Trump today as it was during the campaign.
In assessing Trump’s accomplishments, let’s not get too distracted by his unconventional conduct.
In assessing Trump’s prospects, let’s keep in mind that Trump’s personal approval rating on election day was nearly as negative. Last year, Americans voted for someone they didn’t much like, reflecting the even greater dislike of Hillary Clinton and the desire for a change of direction in Washington. Change is what we got.

Read more at link below

Steven F. Hayward is senior resident scholar at the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley.

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-oe-election-anniversary-updates-despite-his-many-foibles-trump-has-1509748851-htmlstory.html


Brevity in posting is required. Thanks

[INVAR]

This hitherto ideologically unmoored man has set in motion an administration arguably more conservative than Ronald Reagan’s.

I stopped reading right there.

Trump's fanatics and acolytes are just as guilty of creating fake news as the Statist/Leftists in the MSM they are at war with.

I ignore Trump, even morseso than I did Obama.

He is irrelevant to me and the things I am beholden.

[KingsX]

If Trump's agenda is considered to be "conservative"... it's no wonder the USA is going to hell.

[Frank Cannon]

[RoosGirl]

I'm going to have to rethink you. I thought you were wittier than that.

[RoosGirl]

More conservative than Reagan?  Nope.  More conservative than anyone since him?  That's really not saying much, so I'm not sure it's a bragging point.

[Frank Cannon]

I'm going to have to rethink you. I thought you were wittier than that.

Hey man. I thought this was a worship thread. I'm getting my MAGA on baby.....

[RoosGirl]

Hey man. I thought this was a worship thread. I'm getting my MAGA on baby.....

Speechless

[Frank Cannon]

Speechless

Now that would be a first.