The George W. Bush candidacy and presidency represented a shift to the right in republican politics, that caused people like Vermont senator Jim Jeffords to leave the republican party. As the GOP has marched further rightward, thoughtful conservatives and republicans have abandoned GOP orthodoxy, sometimes continuing to identify as conservatives (Bruce Bartlett), and sometimes changing sides altogether (David Brock). I think Donald Trump represents the last chance for conservatives to get off the crazy train.
Why did people leave the GOP? I would say the main reasons were disregard for truth (Brock, Bartlett), hateful speech (Charles Johnson, John Cole), and the prominence of “colorful” politicians such as Sarah Palin that showed little intelligence, competence and coherence (the Obama republicans who defected in 08 because of Sarah Palin).
Donald Trump has all three qualities in abundance. If Trump becomes the GOP nominee, it would be very hard for any remaining conservative to continue to pretend that the GOP is about lofty ideals such as limited government and strong national security. I think whoever sticks with Trump will have missed the last chance to return to sanity, and will go down the path of Glenn Beck
That train left the station long before GWB. Although for some time there were enough moderate Republicans that they could swat down the real crazies that managed to get elected, but they’ve been dependent on those that would vote for the crazies for decades.
Yeah, but in the days of Nixon or Reagan, it was possible to pretend that thoughtful elites were just using the rubes and hicks in order to further loftier goals. That conceit is no longer possible
They’ll get their mojo back after they re-tool. If they play their cards right, Trump could be very helpful in that effort by releasing them from the grip of their “war on women and AAs.”
All Faustian bargains are concluded and souls consumed.
And now the relatively sane candidate Kasich has come in behind the joke canidate Carson. I really hope Kasich stays in and messes up Rubio’s chances, but I see no rationale for him staying in the race…