“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right – here I am, stuck in the middle with you.”
That is not simply a key line from a classic 1973 hit by the Scottish musical group Stealers Wheel. It also is how many middle-of-the-road Republicans are feeling about the possibility of a 2024 rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden for the presidency.
(It’s not just that group that’s fearful of such an eventuality – a majority of Americans are aghast at the prospect – but for the purposes of today we’ll focus on moderate GOPers.)
At the political blog Bearing Drift, a home for pearl-clutching anti-Trump Virginia Republicans, former Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling recently laid his cards on the table.
“The only way Biden has any chance of winning in 2024 is if Republicans are stupid enough to nominate Donald Trump as his opponent,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, it appears that most Republicans are inclined to do just that.”
It’s worth noting that, after his efforts to move up to the governorship blew up on the launch pad, Bolling sashayed into the closed-bubble world of academia – a place grumps might argue is the last refuge for failed politicians (and journalists, for that matter). In politics as in media, those who can, do; those who can’t, throw brickbats at those who can.
Bolling’s stating-the-obvious argument is not without merit, but isn’t the first rule of politics to never, ever insult voters who some day might be swayable to your cause? Calling them stupid is hardly a way to win their love.
Over the coming months, Republicans who agree with Bolling that Trump is an albatross are going to have to find a candidate with the charm and positions to win over enough of the Republican electorate to secure the nomination. It’s a weak field, but there are some options out there.
If the effort fails, that’s on them, not Trump supporters. (Another rule of politics: Never blame winners for winning.)
Moderate Republicans may have some justification in feeling their party has been hijacked. But to date they’ve shown little skill at getting it back – and little inclination in doing the heavy lifting required. It’s now or never.
And if they fail, we suspect anti-Trump GOPers will try to make themselves feel better, and important, by putting all their chips behind what is sure to be a hopeless third-party effort that exists only to enrich campaign strategists.
