What can the Democrats do?

[Gori the Grey]

I think Don Jr. might put himself forward as a candidate (assuming we still have "elections" that involve "candidates"). But I think even he will be among the people whom Trumpers find disappointing. He might make the most headway, for people who think like this (dated, I know):

(I've seen one that goes as far as Barron.)

But he's missing important elements of Trump's appeal. He won't just be able to go to rallies and ramble agreeably about high-efficiency toilets the way Trump does. He doesn't start with Trump's reputation as a "success" and "financial jenius" (through the Art of the Deal and Apprentice). I don't think even he will get traction with the people to whom Trump appeals.

 

[danjuno]

If we get Ivanka...maybe!

 

[Hygro]

It's definitely Kendon Jr Roy trying the most "daddy love me" direct and it's definitely Game of Succession.

 

[GenMarshall]

If we get Ivanka...maybe!

I highly doubt she’d dip her toes into politics.

 

[Sommerswerd]

I don't think any of his kids can politically survive being subjected to any kind of competitive political process

"competitive political process"? ah Lex... you sweet, summer child *

*That's not how Hereditary Monarchies/Dictatorships work

 

[Lexicus]

"competitive political process"? ah Lex... you sweet, summer child *

*That's not how Hereditary Monarchies/Dictatorships work

I'd actually argue you are the one being naive here (naive may not be quite the right word, but...maybe... ingenuous?) Even in a hereditary monarchy there is maneuvering, often quite vicious, around the throne and the succession. Any royal court will have its (sometimes deadly) intrigues, and these kinds of dynamics are often replicated around other kinds of autocrats than hereditary monarchs as well.
I'd argue dictatorships tend to have even more scope for such maneuvering - particularly as concerns the dictator's succession, since by definition this won't usually be hereditary. A lot of the time in "competitive politics" in autocratic systems, the losers end up exiled, mutilated, or dead.

Perhaps my use of the word "process" made you think of process in a more formal/constitutional sense...that isn't what I mean. A great example of what I'm talking about would be the backstabbing and infighting among the "diadochi", the handful of men who were next most powerful under Hitler, as each tried to become the strongest and position himself to succeed Hitler.

 

[danjuno]

The Trump boys sure as hell aren't smart enough to survive in a Game of Thrones scenario.