TPAC: Tucker Carlson, Kellyanne Conway Demonstrate That The Trump Cult of Personality Is Well Under Way
In a fascinating interview with The Atlantic’s McKay Coppins, Fox News star Tucker Carlson laid out his political philosophy – or rather, its labyrinthine and conveniently shifting nature. Carlson has become an uber-celebrity in conservative circles in recent weeks since taking over Megyn Kelly’s slot at Fox News for his series of interviews with bizzaro-world leftists straight from the madhouse. So what’s his guiding star in terms of policy?
He doesn’t have one.
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In fact, it’s not “reactionary” to hold fast to principles and values which undergird politics. It’s all well and good to smack around befuddled-looking leftist students and protest organizers and Kurt Eichenwald – it’s often hilarious entertainment. But that doesn’t mean that you’re espousing anything of particular value.
But smacking people around – VIIIIICTORYYYYY!!!!1! – is now the only thing that matters to many conservatives.
And that means worshipping a Powerful Leader™ who is Always Fighting™.
Which brings us to Kellyanne Conway at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Conway – making her first public appearances in weeks – told a moderator that Trump had affected the conservative movement so deeply that “I think by tomorrow this will be TPAC” (Trump Political Action Conference). She added that conservatism was “sclerotic and dusty.”
This is nothing new, given the fact that some Trump fans long ago substituted Trump for God in the slogan “In God We Trust.” And it’s not wrong for CPAC to celebrate Trump – he’s a Republican president with a Republican Congress, and he will undoubtedly push some conservative policies and already has (which I have thoroughly celebrated). But to substitute Trump worship for adherence to conservatism is a recipe for disaster.
The Trump cult of personality is well underway. It was ugly on the left with Barack Obama, and it’s uglier on a right supposedly built on ideas rather than idolatry.
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TPAC: Tucker Carlson, Kellyanne Conway Demonstrate That The Trump Cult of Personality Is Well Under Way https://t.co/Hd5lJeA36S pic.twitter.com/JVwYeLpBdI
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 23, 2017
Tucker Carlson: "I’m not much of an economic conservative, and I’m not conservative at all on foreign policy.” https://t.co/6MSt6KiuaR pic.twitter.com/u0cj0Waf8y
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) February 23, 2017
Kellyanne Conway at CPAC: Conservatism has gotten "sclerotic and dusty" over time..says by tomorrow, "This will be T-PAC."
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) February 23, 2017
Why would an intelligent person like @KellyannePolls flatter so shamelessly? Trump likes it. And she's worried about her standing in the WH. https://t.co/3Ocra7FbLS
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 23, 2017
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