Fears

Published in Liberation
(France) on 2 March 2016
by Johan Hufnagel (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Sophie Thresher. Edited by Victoria Branca.
Should we be afraid of the big, bad Trump? It is clear that the prospect of the billionaire’s triumph is not making anybody laugh anymore since he has been racking up the victories in his party’s primaries. Those who had predicted the end of his political adventure (and there were plenty of them, including journalists, liberals and Republicans) are beginning to take his victory a lot more seriously. Even those who cannot imagine him taking over for Barack Obama would not bet all their savings on this apparently impossible prospect.

Trump as a candidate has two faces. The first is disposed to all manner of insults and remarks in order to attract votes from the Republican base. The positioning of the most fascinating part of his policy – similar to the threat the traditional identity of the Native Americans found itself under from Irish Catholic immigration in the 19th century – worries moderate and liberal Americans, as well as neighbors and allies of the United States. But his supporters are reassured by his protectionist, statist discourse. Is he any worse than his Republican rivals? It is far from clear. Trump’s other face is not that of an ideological crusader; he is something of a lone wolf and serious Republicans would do well to guide him if he got into the White House. Many consider him a charlatan who is playing at being conservative for the primaries. Ted Cruz, who matches Trump on anti-Islamic and anti-immigration rhetoric, is even more extremist. With his pro-life, ultra-conservative, ultra-liberal, ultra-ideological views, he can’t match up to the pragmatic, folkloric television star that is Trump. Should we be scared of a rabble-rousing opportunist who is riding the wave of the fears of an ultra-reactionary religious minority? Put yourself in Hillary Clinton’s shoes…


Peurs

Faut-il avoir peur du grand méchant Trump ? Clairement, depuis qu’il engrange les victoires dans la primaire de son parti, la perspective d’un triomphe du milliardaire ne fait plus rire personne. Ceux qui avaient prédit la fin de son aventure politique (ils ont été nombreux, parmi les journalistes, les libéraux et les républicains) envisagent désormais sérieusement sa victoire. Même ceux qui n’imaginent pas le voir succéder à Barack Obama n’iraient pas jusqu’à parier toutes leurs économies sur cette impossibilité. Le candidat Trump a deux visages. Le premier est prêt à toutes les injures et outrances pour s’attirer les suffrages de la base républicaine. La mise en place de la partie la plus fascisante de son programme, proche de la tradition identitaire du nativisme américain qui, déjà au XIXe siècle, cognait sur l’immigration irlandaise et catholique, inquiète les modérés et les libéraux américains, les voisins et les alliés des Etats-Unis. Mais rassure ses partisans à qui il sert en plus un discours protectionniste et étatiste. Est-il pire que ses concurrents républicains ? C’est loin d’être évident. Trump, c’est son second visage, n’est pas un idéologue, il est seul, et les républicains sérieux se verraient bien le coacher s’il parvenait à la Maison Blanche. Beaucoup voient en lui un charlatan qui joue au conservateur pour les primaires. Ted Cruz, qui n’a rien à envier à Trump sur la rhétorique anti-islam et anti-immigration, est bien plus extrémiste. Pro-life, ultraconservateur, ultralibéral, ultra-idéologue, il n’a rien du pragmatique et folkorique agent télévisuel Trump. Faut-il avoir davantage peur d’un opportuniste démagogue qui surfe sur toutes les peurs ou d’un ultraréac religieux minoritaire ? Mettez-vous à la place de Hillary Clinton…
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

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