Trump: the Anti-Polk

Now that’s a man tired of all the #winning

James K. Polk and Donald J. Trump — Political peas in a pod?

• Two believers in Manifest Destiny.
• Two presidents enthusiastically claiming the legacy of Andrew Jackson’s firebrand nativist populism.
• The only two presidents who lost their “home” state but managed to win the Presidency.
• Two presidents with clearly established actionable policy goals.

Polk lives on in history as one of the most successful presidents of all time.

• Independent Treasury System? Check.
• Reduce tariffs? Check.
• Gain control of the Oregon Territory? Check.
• Gain control of California, New Mexico? Check.

James K. Polk — still the backbone of the Democratic Party

After almost a year of grandstanding, however, Trump’s accomplishments are exactly… zero.

• Obamacare? All efforts to repeal and replace have failed
• Imposing tariffs and ending free trade? All of his advisors think it’s a dumb idea (because it is)
• Cutting taxes? Republican in-fighting means it likely won’t pass
• The Muslim travel ban? Repeatedly challenged by the ACLU and stopped by courts
• The border wall? Nope
• Bonus: Mexico paying for the border wall? lol

Mr. Trump, sir, you may talk like a Jacksonian, you may hate brown people like a Jacksonian, but you are no Jacksonian. (Thank god.)

At least he’s consistent.