For the #NeverTrump crowd, here's an even more dystopian vision than a two-term Donald presidency: a Trump political dynasty that dominates the 21st century.
The big story of the Republican convention in Cleveland (aside from "Melania-gate") is the next generation of Trump children and how impressive they all appear.
There's nothing that humanizes someone more than well-raised children, proof that you are good at the most important role in life: parent.
On night two of the convention, we saw two of Trump’s five progeny: Junior and Tiffany (sounds like a new reality cable series).
Donald Jr. certainly got the confidence gene from his dad and, along with his poise and booming voice, he transfixed the GOP audience and helped paint a positive picture of growing up Trump: going with dad to construction sites, pouring concrete, hanging out with the lunch-bucket crowd, stiffing contractors (whoops, I couldn't help myself there).
Daughter Tiffany, who's being called the Jan Brady of the clan (a.k.a. the overlooked daughter), offered more telling anecdotes about Papa Trump: the encouraging notes on report cards starting in kindergarten – not for her grades, but for her winning attitude. That was a beautiful personal flourish. Keep her speechwriter and ditch Melania's.
Last night we heard from Eric, the youngest child from the Ivana bloodline, a kinder, gentler Trump male. His speech further embellished the 2016 version of "Father Knows Best."
Tonight, the final night of the convention, we will hear from Donald's secret weapon: Ivanka, his beautiful, polished and ever-adoring oldest daughter. She's the apple of Daddy's eye and the best surrogate he has in his uphill battle of winning over independent or Democratic women voters. Whether she can airbrush her dad's sometimes crude and misogynistic comments will make for an interesting exercise in spin.
Besides the Trumps, probably the happiest man at the convention is New York state GOP Chairman Ed Cox – he now has a farm team of young Republican talent to work with.
Donald Jr.? He can take on a wounded Bill de Blasio for mayor in 2017. Ivanka? Line her up against U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Eric? He could challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
OK, so maybe this is just a far-fetched fantasy dancing around in Cox's imagination, but after years without a Republican in statewide office, a party chairman can dream, can't he?
We know, of course, what happens with American political dynasties: for the Kennedys, it only led to tragedy. For the Bushes, well, it led to low-competence George W. and then “low-energy” Jeb.
But for the Trumps, a family that just had a very high-profile, four-day coming out party, the future appears to be paved with gold, at least for now.
The caveat, of course, is that if, over the next four months, the family patriarch continues to alienate Latinos, Muslims, women, disabled people, establishment Republicans and various other key demographics, then this could be a very short-lived political dynasty.
Then again, once the memories of the forthcoming scorched-Earth campaign fades in a decade or so, there may still be one great Trump hope: 10-year-old Barron, the youngest member of the clan.
I bet he'll write his own speeches.
Tom Allon is the president of City & State.
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