Following the election, Trump visited the White House. He went in saying he would repeal Obamacare, and 90 minutes later came out saying he was going to keep parts of it.
I saw an article saying basically that Trump was an easily manipulated narcissist, and Bannon currently had his ear.
The thing is, Obama is much more charismatic than Bannon. And he’s had 8 years experience dealing with reprehensible narcissists. And Trump loves being around powerful people. And Obama is currently the most powerful person in the world. And Trump used to be a Democrat. And Trump currently needs a lot of help. He’s drowning with the transition, and I bet he knows it.
I bet Obama could basically become Trump’s most trusted advisor in a week or two. He knows how to play the game, which means he could end-run Bannon and Pence relatively easily. He could persuade Trump in 90 minutes to do something he’d spent the last few years saying he wouldn’t do.
Take one for the team, Obama! Be Trump’s buddy. Guide him. Save our country.
And he’d forget all about it ten minutes later. He can’t possibly “keep the good parts” of Obamacare and dump the rest, the insurance companies are not going to sign a suicide note, and its their rubber ducky.
Bless his heart, he won’t do that. He seems to really believe it, that somehow, some way, he can reach across and make a reasonable compromise with the batshit baboons. The man just does not understand hate.
I’m sure it was all Obama could do not to slap on a pair of latex gloves before shaking his hand, being around him more than absolutely necessary is about the last thing he wants to do.
Since Trump has no actual political goals, he’s happy to go along with whatever seems popular. Which means he’ll agree with the last person he talked with. If he talks with Mike Pence for 10 minutes, he comes out in favor of jailing women for abortions. If he talks with Ivanka for 10 minutes and Roe v Wade is settled law. So what does Trump really believe? None of it, he doesn’t have political beliefs other than whatever will make the crowd roar with approval. Or scream with anger, Trump doesn’t care if you love him or hate him as long as you’re hanging on his every word.
Anyway, the Republicans have to be smart enough to realize this. Trump is easily led by his cronies. If they don’t want to be dragged down by Bannon they’ve got to keep Trump away from him.
And I actually had a thought today similar to the OP: Trump is lost as President (partially because everybody is a little lost when they first start the job, but also because he didn’t think about what the job entails until after he won the election), and there’s only a handful of people who truly have given some serious thought to what he is going to face and how he can survive the task.
Except both Bushes have flat out turned their back on him (and he did treat Jeb like shit). And, even if we want to stretch this to other GOP muckety mucks: Romney trashed Trump as a fraud and a disgrace. Trump mocked McCain’s war record, and I doubt that McCain forgives that easily.
So who does he turn to? Obama has already brilliantly shown that the “election stuff” is water under the bridge, and that he is willing to serve as a back channel. And we have all heard that Bill Clinton was the one who actually called Trump and told him to run. And Ivanka, who is likely going to be Trump’s most trusted advisor, is best friends with Chelsea.
So, when in a bind, unsure of himself, up way too late at night, who is Trump going to call?
Bill and Barack.
And if Trump is so easily malleable that he can change his mind on Obamacare after 1 meeting where he’s told what it does, well maybe they might (I emphasize “might”) be able to talk some sense in him before he signs off on something drastically stupid.
I’d LOVE to see this happen, but you’re forgetting one thing: Trump is all about revenge. Anyone who doesn’t like him, he goes after them. Barack said things about him during the campaign that Trump won’t forgive. Barack also was plagued by the birthers and Trump was a big part of keeping that bullshit going. Trump also vows to repeal ACA, though lately he says he’ll keep some of the rules in place.
With all this, I won’t blame Obama if he jets out of office as soon as possible. Maybe take the last month off.
I’d think this was pie in the sky wishful thinking–if Obama hadn’t already volunteered to do this, and if Trump hadn’t already listened to him.
Right now, he’s so overwhelmed, I think he’s open to anyone. I sure hope Obama takes advantage of it and becomes his buddy.
Because, yes, Trump takes revenge. But if you butter him up enough that he likes you, he seems to forget. There were people on his show that he seemed to hate but then suddenly liked, IIRC. He likes Penn Jilette, despite him disagreeing with him all the time.
