All of that stuff about Trump being a “fighter” who “counterpunches” and isn't “politically correct” is shorthand for this argument. But this attitude is not new to the GOP, nor to our politics generally. Under George W. Bush, one heard a great deal from the left about how only “fighting Dems” who refused to be intimidated could “take back America,” a slogan used by many Democratic politicians in the 2000s.

The dynamic only gets worse with each election. The party out of power convinces itself that obstruction — or now “resistance” — is the only option. The party in power talks a big game about bipartisanship, but it not only knows the other side won't cooperate, it also realizes that its base sees compromise as weakness and capitulation.

The result is that the party in power races to get its agenda accomplished, and the base forgives any abuses or violations of norms in the process, thus proving the worst suspicions of the opposition.

Liberals roll their eyes at the claim that President Obama violated democratic norms or abused his power. But putting aside the specific arguments, conservatives saw plenty of abuses and violations, from the IRS scandals and Benghazi to the Iran deal. Obama said many times he couldn't unilaterally implement the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program because he wasn't a “king.” Then he did it anyway.