I sat down with John Guida for a New York Times conversation on what congressional Republicans actually think about the war in Iran, why the party’s connection to Trump has reshaped how its members understand representation, and whether that connection is healthy for a political party.
John Guida: The war in Iran has not been popular among the American public (many Republicans excepted). Congressional Republicans gave the president a wide berth to conduct military operations. What is your sense of what these (and other) Republicans really think about the war?
Liam Donovan: The posture of the congressional G.O.P. reflects where their constituents are — instinctually wary of protracted involvement in the Middle East, uncertain as to exactly what our current objectives are in Iran and relieved by the cease-fire to the extent they are following closely. They’re eager to give this president the benefit of the doubt, and his willingness to speak out against previous misadventures gives him additional credibility in the near term even as it has confounded expectations.
Guida: So you think that the surveys showing a significant majority of Republicans are with the president on Iran is guiding most G.O.P. politicians in Washington?
Donovan: I don’t think congressional Republicans need to look at polls to tell them what they’ve lived through over the past decade: This president has a profound connection with his (and their) voters, and there has yet to be an example of public opposition to the president paying electoral dividends. In the Trump era, you’ve ended up with a model of representation who acts more like a delegate than a trustee — a proxy, not someone applying judgment.
Guida: Yet the Republican Party is, well, a political party. Do you think that “profound connection” to an individual is healthy for the full range of what a party should be?
Donovan: You have to remember that we got here precisely because the legacy G.O.P. was facially strong, winning enough elections for the establishment to maintain power, but rotting underneath in ways few could perceive.