jonahgoldberg

From Jonah Goldberg in National Review, Bursting ‘Beltway Bubbles’:

If all you heard in his answer was the box-checking boilerplate and not the needy cries of his id, then you’re in a bubble. If all you saw at the Al Smith Dinner was a man speaking truth to power, you’re in a bubble. If you nod along when he says “Nobody has done more for civil rights than I have” or “Nobody respects women more than I do” you live in a bubble (I have a theory that he paid a staffer to change his name to Know Body, so he can say that stuff with a straight face). If you really buy the idea that the polls are faked and the election is rigged, you’re in a bubble. If you think that his huge rallies are all the proof you need that he’s going to be swept into power, you live in a bubble. Lots of people go to the opera. Lots of people attend Nickelback concerts. Huge crowds attend WrestleMania. Even all together, that’s not a winning coalition in a presidential race.

And if you believe that if only the couple dozen — at most — “Never Trump” writers and activists suddenly endorsed Donald Trump he would get a boost of 4–5 percent in the polls, you live in a bubble. A friend of mine insisted to me the other day that if the Never Trumpers, women, and Republican friendly independents rallied to Trump he’d be in the lead. That’s true. It’s also true that between me and Charles Koch, our combined assets are in excess of $40 billion.

The ire aimed at Never Trump folks is understandable. But that ire isn’t an argument for why reality is wrong. The belief that the supposed traitors are to blame isn’t a rational belief, it is an irrational passion that only seems rational deep inside a bubble. And shouting “You just don’t get it!” won’t change the fact that the people shouting are the ones who just don’t get it.

HKO

The soundness of one’s ideas can be gauged by the tolerance for dissent or difference of opinion.  The Trumpers who have demonized every Republican who has actually won an election and actually governed are now intolerant of any conservative who does not support their savior.  A basic understanding of political reality in American politics is that winning requires assembling a coalition of views and interests that can win.  This coalition is different from the one required to win a primary.

Trump has offended almost every possible group except his hard core base, including critical elements from his own party.  In this campaign and in this election cycle, and especially against the incredibly unpopular Hillary Clinton,  any credible Republican candidate should be twenty points ahead.  Any loss by Trump, no matter how small should be viewed as a humiliation. And there is no one to blame but himself and those in the Trump bubble.

Those who understand his shortcomings and support him only because Hillary is so detestable should take corrective action against their party who let this disaster happen.

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