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KAHNTENTIONS

KAHNTENTIONS is a blog post written by Gilbert N. Kahn, Professor of Political Science at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Beginning in 2011 KAHNTENTIONS was hosted by the New Jersey Jewish News which recently ceased written publication. KAHNTENTIONS presents an open and intellectually honest analysis of issues facing the United States, Israel, as well as Jews world-wide.

BY GILBERT N. KAHN

"These are the times that try men's souls."

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What is Normal in American Politics?


Following World War I, Warren Harding won the Presidency again for the Republican Party by campaigning to “Return [America]to Normalcy.” In 1952, many presidential scholars suggest that Dwight Eisenhower’s presidential victory was based on his pledge to end the war in Korea and give America a respite after twenty years of turmoil and war. A few hours after Richard Nixon resigned the presidency on August 9, 1974, in his inaugural address Gerald Ford pledged to the American people, that “…our long national nightmare is over.” Sadly, after two days of hearings of the House January 6th Committee, no one in the country believes that normalcy is returning, or America is entering a period of calm, or that the country’s national nightmare is over. If anything is clear at this moment, it is that the legal battles, political gamesmanship, and partisan rancor may just be beginning.


Some of the takeaways from the first week of Hearings include:

  • One has a sense from how the Members of the Committee are deflecting many reporters’ questions that there may be many more disclosures yet to emerge as the hearings proceed. While many questions will refer to President Trump’s behavior, there are likely to be additional revelations concerning other Members of the White House staff and Administration. One needs to remember that the Committee received advice about how to orchestrate the hearings from television professionals. It would not be unlikely for the Hearings to conclude with a big final disclosure.

  • Conflict within the Committee itself is already clear about how to present its report. Should it be couched specifically in terms of review, analysis, and legislative recommendations? Alternatively, should the Committee make criminal referrals to the Justice Department and present the argument explicitly for the indictment of former President Trump?

  • A not inconsequential footnote to this question is the fact that it appears that the Republican co-chair, Representative Liz Cheney--in apparent contrast to Chairman Bennie Thompson—wants the Committee to recommend that President Trump obstructed the Congress in its legislative duty to count the electors and that through these actions Trump conspired to defraud the United States Government.

  • Some Republicans, especially those who are not seeking re-election, or who do not plan to run again in 2024 or 2026 soon may begin to drift away from blind allegiance to the former President. These Members, especially senior senators, may be prepared to place country and the future of the Republican Party ahead of continuing to defend what they have seen to be the indefensible actions of the former President.

  • · The political fighting between the Republican and Democratic parties is intensifying and the internecine conflicts--especially among Republicans--is growing. The battles being waged throughout the country this primary season by Republican candidates as to who is more pledged to former President Trump or has a stronger identity with Trump has become a key determinant in many congressional primary races.

  • It is beginning to appear that more Americans than expected have watched the Hearings, at least to some degree. It is unclear yet as to what has moved viewers, but they undoubtedly cannot help but find them enlightening. (Evidence the decision by Fox News, afraid that its spin was not reaching the Trumpers, has decided to broadcast the hearings after it had made a big point of saying they would not do so.)


On a political level, voters in many primary elections are still responding positively to Trump’s recommendations and messaging, but this could change if the former President receives credible indictments. It also remains to be seen for how long some of those Republicans who are waiting in the wings, will announce their intentions to make a run for the White House in 2024.

Finally, it is unknown how far the Department of Justice will be willing to go in prosecuting the leaders of the insurrection. Ultimately, the future of the nation may well rest in the hands of the Courts as much as in any of the political institutions. If the United States will return to more normal times, many people believe it will have to come through the triumph of justice.

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