One year later...

And yet, in spite of his chaotic management style, his bizarre tweets, his delight in insulting people and his constant attacks on the norms of American democracy—such as freedom of the press and respect for the courts—the American constitutional system is doing what it was designed to do: check power. The press is not afraid of him—after all, he makes for good copy regardless of what he is doing, even if it’s attacking them. The courts are not afraid of him—they have turned down his immigration orders three times and indicted his campaign manager. Some Republican members of Congress, including Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), have been overtly critical. But while others have not followed suit in their public remarks, they have stopped his efforts to repeal Obamacare and have passed (by an overwhelming vote) legislation tying the president’s hands when it comes to lifting Russian sanctions. Trump may talk like a dictator but the Constitution is working just as it should to prevent him from behaving like one.

And yet, in spite of a presidential performance that is, to put it mildly, less than optimal, Donald Trump seems to be holding his own with the Republican Party. While his approval ratings are abysmal among Democrats and Independents, they remain strong among Republicans. And it should be duly noted that when Senators Corker and Flake launched broadsides against Trump in the press, they did not trigger an avalanche of similar comments from other Republicans.

Rocinante wrote:If this tax bill doesn’t pass, they’ll turn on him.

At first blush, the Republicans’ push for massive tax breaks, disproportionately benefiting the wealthy, seems politically unwise. The American mainstream isn’t exactly clamoring for the GOP tax plan – polls show broad public opposition to the Republican proposal – and no party ever became more popular by doing something unpopular.

What’s more, the country can’t afford the Republican plan; there’s no reason to believe it’d make a significant difference on the economy; and it’s having the unintended effect of dividing the GOP at a difficult time.

So why focus so much time, energy, and resources in the idea? Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) spoke to The Hill this morning and gave away the game.

A House Republican lawmaker acknowledged on Tuesday that he’s facing pressure from donors to ensure the GOP tax-reform proposal gets done.

Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) had been describing the flurry of lobbying from special interests seeking to protect favored tax provisions when a reporter asked if donors are happy with the tax-reform proposal.

“My donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again,’ ” Collins replied.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:Chris Collins doesn’t need donors because he just supplied a quote that should guarantee he loses his seat since he admitted to representing them and not his constituents.... but he’ll just start talking about some racist shit or whatever and make it a close race.