by Atul Hatwal
Donald Trump has just moved the Overton window of US politics. That range of ideas which constitutes acceptable debate has been yanked hard, to the right.
It might not quite seem that way at the moment.
Currently we are in the condemnation phase that always follows when someone says something outrageous. A few might even hope that the apparent unity in appalled reaction will warn others off pursuing Trump down the foxhole of Islamophobia.
It won’t.
Next, will come the rationalisation.
Other candidates will talk about the unfortunate manner in which Trump expressed his views but that there is a real issue to debate. The style was wrong but there’s a point to the substance.
It’s already evident in some of the reaction from the rest of the Republican field.
Ted Cruz, who recently overtook Trump in an Iowa poll, issued a non-condemnation condemnation,
“No, that’s not my policy. I have introduced legislation in the Senate that would put in place a three year moratorium on refugees coming from countries where ISIS or al Qaeda control a substantial amount of territory. And the reason is that is where the threat is coming from.”
The premise of Trump’s disgraceful policy is accepted in Cruz’s statement.
Meanwhile, Rand Paul did not even go as far as refuting Trump’s proposal. Here’s his official response
“Sen. Rand Paul has led on the issue of border security, proposing real solutions. That’s why earlier this month he introduced legislation to block visitors and immigrants from nations with known radical elements while a new system is developed to screen properly.”
Tough on Muslims, tough on the causes of Muslims.
In the coming days three things will happen.
First, Donald Trump will double-down on his assertions, repeating them and standing by them. They will be discussed and regurgitated on air and in pixel, repeatedly. Words that were shocking a week earlier, will seem more mundane, less alarming.
Second, Trump will pivot to draw a dividing line based on political correctness. He will cast those who attack him as politically correct zealots who do not care about America’s safety. National security and the process of saying the unsayable will become the new loci of the debate rather than the content of what he actually said.
Third, the rest of the Republican field will scramble to occupy the political space that Trump has opened up with his lurch to the right.
They will each come forward with plans to crack-down on Muslim migration – validating Trump’s underlying point – as well as railing against a liberal media establishment for its reaction.
The net result will be that within three to four weeks, it will be acceptable for Republicans to talk about Muslims as a threat simply because they are Muslim.
Trump himself might suffer some toxic fall-out. Those who out-ride and move the debate rarely claim an electoral crown. However, his legacy will be a more sectarian, prejudiced and divisive US politics.
A political environment that has been virtually terraformed for the likes of Ted Cruz to thrive and become the Republican nominee.
Atul Hatwal is editor of Uncut
