Steve Bannon is making Donald Trump uncomfortable. Banging the drums of war, the Breitbart News CEO has forced the president into the unusual role of a peacemaker. Right now though, there may be no need. The Bannon camp has no cash or at least they’re not willing to spend it.
Bannon declared “a season of war” at the social conservative Values Voter Summit on Saturday, promising to set loose his killing machine against the Republican establishment. But so far Bannon’s open war seems like an open-ended promise.
With Judge Roy Moore’s victory over incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., Bannon got his first scalp. Breitbart pumped out positive coverage for the candidate. Bannon appeared on stage next to him. And the Great America PAC run by Bannon-protégés dropped serious money in the race. That populist-nationalist alliance will soon attack every Republican incumbent, Bannon says, except Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
So where are the barbarian hordes ready to carry conservatives to victory over the squishy establishment? Not in Alabama. According to FEC records, Great America PAC hasn’t spent a dime to help Moore beat Doug Jones, his popular Democrat challenger, who is within striking distance.
That hasn’t stopped Bannon and company from attacking their enemies for not helping their candidate. They continue to complain that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and the establishment haven’t gone all in for Moore after the judge made them a permanent foil during the campaign. Regardless of whether or not one believes GOP brass should’ve meddled in that primary (I don’t), that seems especially silly.
The only thing worse than coming for the king and missing is shooting said kingmaker in the kneecap, humiliating him publicly, and then complaining loudly when that monarch doesn’t carry your candidate to the finish line.
“I can understand where Steve Bannon is coming from,” Trump said of the war while sitting a couple of seats away from Elaine Chao, U.S. Labor Secretary and McConnell’s spouse. A few hours later, while standing next to that majority leader in the Rose Garden, the president admitted he’s been trying to convince Bannon to put down his weapons.
At least currently, the fiery, multi-shirted Breitbart News CEO isn’t a credible threat. Bannon’s camp isn’t spending any cash.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
