Not that I particularly longed for a Jeb Bush presidency, but, in a clown car field of zanies, he was, if not a great choice, at least not an insane one.
And with what are we left? John "I can take Ohio" Kasich? Marco "The Establishment Likes Me by Default, But I'm Happy To Run to the Right Anyway" Rubio?
The though of either Cruz or Trump as the GOP candidate ought to fill me with partisan glee, but the dread of their actually becoming president fill me with horror. The nation could survive another Bush. I have my doubts about Rubio. Cruz or Trump will be our ruin.
Jeb Bush drops out of 2016 presidential campaign
The son and brother of Republican presidents saw a rapid rise followed by a months-long decline.
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I want there to be a sane Republican Party again, I really do. Without two serious players in a two party st stem, everybody sufferers.
+Dan Eastwood I absolutely agree. While the progressive ideals that the Democratic Party espouses are largely where my heart lies, the value of a rational counterpoint to them cannot be underestimated.
The problem is that the "rational" part has become lost in knee-jerk, self-interested, Bible-thumping madness. And the country is all the poorer for that.
When I look at the counter-point of Eisenhower (who was sought after as a candidate by both parties), or even Nixon (whose sins were more personal, not ideological), I really miss the GOP of that era.
I'm quite the progressive, but we need intelligent discussion in this country. Hillary and Bernie have fascinating debates. The Republican debates? Can't really call them debates at all.
On the other hand, a debate between the Republican nominee and the Democrat nominee will be, well, incredibly interesting.
+Paula Moore I hope so. I fear that a Trump/Cruz/Rubio debate vs either of the Democratic likelies will be policy-poor and sound-byte-rich.
+Dave Hill I truly fear for our country.
Saw this coming. He's just not crazy enough to stand out among all the madness.
I truly believe that we're witnessing the end days of the Republican party. The brand is just too tarnished, and they're unable to resolve the disparate parts of their coalition. My dearest hope is that they take a battering in this election, both in the presidency and downticket, and that they finally split off, letting the neocons go hang out on the fringe of the spectrum and establishing something new to occupy the center-right. It's not like it hasn't happened before. Anyone remember the Whigs?
+Brittany Constable A lot more money in the game right now, which may either make that more possible, or make that impossible.
Both parties have also made it difficult on third parties to compete. There will almost certainly be contention over who owns the "brand" and, therefore, the current seat at the table.
I guess someone forgot to clap…