Mike DeWine won by 25% in Ohio, a swing state not so long ago. Kemp also won resoundingly after beating MAGA in the primary - so it can be done. Asa Hutchinson is also an interesting figure.
But you are right, there is no real GOP establishment anymore that can consolidate behind a candidate like it did in 2000 for GWB after the quasi-schism of Ross Perot. If there were, you would not have Herschel Walker standing for the US Senate. And the other problem is that whomever challenges and then dislodges Trump, in my view, will not be able to bring along much of the MAGA base - which is why I see some form of schism as a possibility. Another difficulty will be the soon to be circus of the House - which is going to reinforce and amplify the culture war and pugilistic style of MAGA politics and make a reinvention of the party more difficult.
I hope for #2 also but it's not clear who (alone or collectively) would galvanize the support necessary. Liz Cheney? Glenn Youngkin? Brian Kemp? The base is MAGA meaning that "leaders" are either silent or banished. Clearly, what's next for the party will be ghastly.
Robin, Ian - Thanks for the comments.
Mike DeWine won by 25% in Ohio, a swing state not so long ago. Kemp also won resoundingly after beating MAGA in the primary - so it can be done. Asa Hutchinson is also an interesting figure.
But you are right, there is no real GOP establishment anymore that can consolidate behind a candidate like it did in 2000 for GWB after the quasi-schism of Ross Perot. If there were, you would not have Herschel Walker standing for the US Senate. And the other problem is that whomever challenges and then dislodges Trump, in my view, will not be able to bring along much of the MAGA base - which is why I see some form of schism as a possibility. Another difficulty will be the soon to be circus of the House - which is going to reinforce and amplify the culture war and pugilistic style of MAGA politics and make a reinvention of the party more difficult.
I hope for #2 also but it's not clear who (alone or collectively) would galvanize the support necessary. Liz Cheney? Glenn Youngkin? Brian Kemp? The base is MAGA meaning that "leaders" are either silent or banished. Clearly, what's next for the party will be ghastly.
Can't argue with this.