Fear is central to GOP’s politics

The Republican leaders fear President Donald Trump far more than they admire or even believe in his policies, not that he has any he really cares about.

But fear of Trump’s voters drives their bus. And fear from the lies about the Democrats drive the Trump voters. Fear of losing drives Trump, and he obsesses over fear of not being able to control the media. Fear of not being seen as a strong man may be Trump’s darkest fear.

But it’s the leaders of the GOP who fear the most. They fear losing position, power and money. They fear Trump’s tweets. They fear the retaliation of his base.

Not one of them fears the consequences of their abject fear. Not one fears the consequences to our democratic republic. They sure don’t seem to fear the pandemic. They fear losing elections far more than having thousands of Americans die.

But the biggest fear of the GOP leaders and the members of Congress who follow them in lock step is that all Americans participate and are involved in every election at every level. That is something they will not accept. That fear will drive their bus for years to come.