As demonstrated by the leadership of the world's most powerful nation, following the Republican midterm disaster of November 2026.

Root cause analysis

* Circumstances are to blame, not leadership. The electorate simply failed to appreciate the circumstances.
* Trump wasn't on the ballot. The result was a major setback for the country, rather than an indication that the administration's policies or leadership needed reconsideration.
* Iran war engagement is a strategic masterstroke, we need to work on our messaging though as its supposedly enormous long-term benefits are too complicated for the base to grasp. Those small-minded proles tend to be preoccupied with petty stuff like diesel prices and affordability.

The appropriate response: double down on our righteous policies

* Iran engagement: Explicitly back Hegseth, its most ardent advocate.
* Immigration: Acknowledge that deportation policies might have been a little harsh, then promote Miller, the principal architect of those policies, to chief of staff (bonus: removes one of the remaining moderating influences)
* Political loyalty: Some Republican naysayers identified excessive loyalty to Trump, fear of displeasing him, and prioritising his demands over representing voters as problems contributing to the defeat. Then Republicans elect Jim Jordan, prominent Trump loyalist, as their new minority leader.
* Conflicts of interest: Continue defending family business arrangements and boldly resist calls for stronger independent ethics safeguards.
* Presidential vanity: Continue prioritising personal branding, legacy projects and personal loyalty over "institutional restraint".

Remember, never confuse electoral accountability with a need to change course.