It turns out that Marco Rubio can't save the Republicans from their decades of folly.
If there's anyone that has been enjoying the Republican nomination contest more than me, it would have to be the Democrats. Running against Trump would be a gift from the heavens for them, no matter what candidate they end up with themselves. I'm pretty sure that Obama is savvy enough to know that there's a core group of Republicans that hate him with a passion, and will take glee in doing anything that he opposes; and I'm pretty sure that was at least part of his motivation for coming out strongly against Trump himself. He would love to leave another Democrat administration behind him to protect his legacy, and Trump is the best way for that to happen.
But perhaps better even than a straight nomination win for Trump is the contested convention that looks increasingly likely. We would then have three groups - Trump, Cruz, and Establishment (represented by Kasich or perhaps some other drafted candidate). Trump would claim the nomination on the grounds of having the most delegates; Cruz would claim it on the grounds that most people voted against Trump, and he is the leading non-Trump candidate; the Establishment would claim it on the grounds of electability, compromise, and whose party is this anyway?
Each group regards the other two with a mixture of fear, hatred and contempt. It wouldn't matter who won or for what reason, a big chunk of the losing candidates' supporters would go away feeling cheated and vowing not to vote for the nominee. Perhaps someone would run as a third party (and how can we not be amused at the idea of the establishment candidate running as a third party?) or perhaps people would just stay home. Either way, the Republican vote looks likely to be woefully split, and the effect on all the down-ticket races would have the Democrats rubbing their hands with glee.
Best of all, the Republicans can see it coming - have seen in coming for a while - and still can't seem to do anything about it. As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
Now, if I could be confident that the Democrats would do something genuinely worthwhile with this windfall...
If there's anyone that has been enjoying the Republican nomination contest more than me, it would have to be the Democrats. Running against Trump would be a gift from the heavens for them, no matter what candidate they end up with themselves. I'm pretty sure that Obama is savvy enough to know that there's a core group of Republicans that hate him with a passion, and will take glee in doing anything that he opposes; and I'm pretty sure that was at least part of his motivation for coming out strongly against Trump himself. He would love to leave another Democrat administration behind him to protect his legacy, and Trump is the best way for that to happen.
But perhaps better even than a straight nomination win for Trump is the contested convention that looks increasingly likely. We would then have three groups - Trump, Cruz, and Establishment (represented by Kasich or perhaps some other drafted candidate). Trump would claim the nomination on the grounds of having the most delegates; Cruz would claim it on the grounds that most people voted against Trump, and he is the leading non-Trump candidate; the Establishment would claim it on the grounds of electability, compromise, and whose party is this anyway?
Each group regards the other two with a mixture of fear, hatred and contempt. It wouldn't matter who won or for what reason, a big chunk of the losing candidates' supporters would go away feeling cheated and vowing not to vote for the nominee. Perhaps someone would run as a third party (and how can we not be amused at the idea of the establishment candidate running as a third party?) or perhaps people would just stay home. Either way, the Republican vote looks likely to be woefully split, and the effect on all the down-ticket races would have the Democrats rubbing their hands with glee.
Best of all, the Republicans can see it coming - have seen in coming for a while - and still can't seem to do anything about it. As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
Now, if I could be confident that the Democrats would do something genuinely worthwhile with this windfall...
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