Who will follow Trump?
If Big Money Politics is able to limit Trump to a single term, it will have won a battle, not the war.
The war is over controlling enough votes to assure victory to whatever candidate BMP supports.
When Bush the Younger was their candidate the Republican Party didn't put up more than token resistance to his nomination. When he then lost to Gore, BMP required that the final vote be decided by an already thoroughly discredited Supreme Court. This was not the result that BMP was seeking, but since their man ascended to the top post the loss was largely ignored.
Hillary was the BMP's choice in 2016. Enough votes were bought that she won the popular vote, but lost the election. Jeff Bush had patiently waited his turn, but people were turning away from candidates that had BMP's blessing and because of the internet were able to organize behind Trump and Saunders. Candidates that in previous elections couldn't have purchased enough air time to be noticed.
Hillary's team I believe, saw Donald as a beatable opponent. Their MSM connections gave him free air time through the primaries, attempting to assure that they would end up fighting the weakest opponent that the GOP might field. The Donald undoubtedly was aware of this, and may even have willingly played the part of the spoiler. He had after all backed the Clintons in previous elections.
To everyone's surprise and shock Trump won. And Saunders, had he been the Democrats standard bearer, might have done better than the BMP's anointed one.
Enough history.
If Trump's successor, in 1 yr, 3 yrs or 7 yrs is a Big Money Candidate, I'll be mildly surprised. Much will depend on how Big Money plays it's present hand. If they continue to shut out progressives in California & hammer away at the Russians on the federal level I think they will be digging their own graves.
Just as having the Supreme Court decide Bush-Gore left a bad taste in everyone's mouth, so beating the war drums, rerunning the 50's witch hunts, and resorting to underhanded methods to keep progressives from control in California will empower everyone fighting against the elite.
Whether the next President is left or right, reasonable or nuts may be of less importance to the voters than whether they perceive him to be a tool of Big Business or a product of the internet age.
sidd had linked to an article that described our present status as being in an interregnum, akin to a period of political chaos. Exiting this chaotic period could lead in any number of directions. Personally I favor the peace candidate that recognizes that global cooperation and domestic leadership are necessary if we are going to survive AGW. He or she also needs to get GINI back on track and champion single payer healthcare.
Terry