Unfortunately for that demographic, they are too late. The last time the President’s powers could have been used to crush the Left’s insurgency was around 2007.

And Bush II never used any of it to kill domestic traitors or insurgents. Not popular, not allowed, nobody wanted to do it even. It wasn’t necessary to apply COIN in Chicago or Detroit.

Now it is, but it is too late, the Left can’t be stopped from the top of power any more.

Like many, I was dumbfounded by his success; until I remembered my logic in 2006. I was spending the Winter in Nepal, and was asked one night who would be the next President. My response was: No one has announced yet; but I think the candidate that is the best public speaker will win. I explained that I detested the fact that Bush could not articulate why he was making the decisions he was making. And that that fundamental failure of leadership has created a “hunger”. Most voters will have no awareness of their hunger, and will attribute their support to more conventional reasons (e.g., party supporter). Obama was by far the best public speaker.

We now have another scenario with no incumbent, and after Obama, I thought voters would have a hunger for “competence”. I was wrong (my 1st choice was Walker, never considered any Dem this time). I now believe voters want the best “fighter”. On the R side, many do not want McCain’ “respectfulness”. And they do not want Romney’ “politeness”. They want a bare-knuckle brawler who is willing to attack without hesitation or reservation. Like Obama, like Clinton. On the D side, if Sanders had realized that sooner he would be better off.

I think more voters are actually aware of their “hunger” this time; which is why a “polished veneer” is not required, by either party. And I think the best “fighter” will win in 2016.

That’s the terrible dilemma we face.”

That’s how I’ve been seeing it. I’ve been horrified by the Trump uprising, but I think Kagan is overwrought. There’s a very valuable, non-hysterical analysis by David Gelernter in The Weekly Standard (hardly a pro-Trump pub) –
http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-truth-about-trump/article/2002483

BTW, the fellow preparing the way for fascism is Obama. Personality cult, executive edicts and all.

He preceded Julius — by generations.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix[1] (/ˈsÊŒlÉ™/; c. 138 BC — 78 BC), known commonly as Sulla, was a Roman general and statesman. He had the distinction of holding the office of consul twice, as well as reviving the dictatorship. Sulla was awarded a grass crown, the most prestigious Roman military honor, during the Social War. Sulla was a skilful general, achieving numerous successes in wars against different opponents, both foreign and Roman. His life was habitually included in the ancient biographical collections of leading generals and politicians, originating in the biographical compendium of famous Romans, published by Marcus Terentius Varro. In Plutarch’s Parallel Lives Sulla is paired with the Spartan general and strategist Lysander.

wiki

Trump’s “mobocracy” is not enough. A fascist dictator needs the military at his back. There’s a reason why S. American military coups are so often led by a Colonel. The troops follow their immediate superior’s orders. Obama has done his best to purge the military’s highest echelons of those who place their oath of loyalty to the Constitution above career. But for Trump to become a fascist dictator, he must secure the allegiance of the Colonels… I think that, at this point, unlikely. Hillary, on the other hand will have plenty of time to enable the purge to reach the level of Colonels.

However, I find Robert Kagan’s estimation of Trump preparing the path for later fascism entirely possible.

No dilemma. If Hillary is way out in front, vote 3rd party. If it seems close, vote for her. She cannot possibly do more damage than Obama but Trump can.

‘A must-read by Robert Kagan’

I agree with this except possibly the timeline. Trump is like Julius Caesar, born to pave the way for emperors but not be one himself. It will take a few more years to completely dismantle our constitutional protections and so it won’t be Trump who cashes in but someone (a true fascist) coming later.

No, a corrective cannot possibly occur with Trump. He will pivot left for the general election and then further left if he wins. That’s why principles are so important and why Trump is so predictable. People always act according to their deepest beliefs. His conservative views are fake, even if he doesn’t know it himself. Look at his public statements the years for proof.

OTOH, Hillary is more corrupt which makes her less dangerous precisely because she is more likely to betray her deepest beliefs. Also, she she has no personality cult following her and the Republicans are more likely to stand up to her than they are to Trump because she represents an opposing party.

Even if the unprovable proposition, that Trump’s behavior is merely a clever political strategy is entertained, you have yet to offer a reasoned argument demonstrating that Trump would, after being elected, operate at even an acceptable level of performance. How, specifically shall he accomplish what he has promised? How will he get the bipartisan support needed?

As for your low opinion of women, “They cannot state a fact accurately to another, nor can that other attend to it accurately enough for it to become information.” neo posts alone should convince you of the falsity of that slander. Nor is she alone, there are many women who speak intelligently and logically to the issues.