I would say perceived ideology matters. Not actual ideology. Reagan was VERY right wing but because he looked good on television, he wasn't seen as such.
I would say perceived ideology matters. Not actual ideology. Reagan was VERY right wing but because he looked good on television, he wasn't seen as such.
He can switch on almost anything *that isn't what his voters actually care most about,* which is bigotry in support of a rigorously enforced social order. They're extremely ideological - they just don't actually care very much about traditionally Republican-coded policies of low taxes and pro-business policies. They care about people behaving the "correct way" and obeying their given place in the hierarchy.
Of course, because that's exactly who Trump is at his core, he won't be switching.
I would say perceived ideology matters. Not actual ideology. Reagan was VERY right wing but because he looked good on television, he wasn't seen as such.
Trump is almost anti-ideological, and if he switches on almost anything his voters will come along with him.
If he switched on choice, they wouldn't. The Republican Party remains hardline socially conservative.
He can switch on almost anything *that isn't what his voters actually care most about,* which is bigotry in support of a rigorously enforced social order. They're extremely ideological - they just don't actually care very much about traditionally Republican-coded policies of low taxes and pro-business policies. They care about people behaving the "correct way" and obeying their given place in the hierarchy.
Of course, because that's exactly who Trump is at his core, he won't be switching.