Once actual voting starts (we’ve seen plenty of examples of that), and DeSantis underperforms and gets out no later than right after New Hampshire, then maybe we can see a surprising result in the nominating contest. And by the way, Christie should get out as soon as the last debate’s done. His attack dog duties will be complete and the best he can do against Trump will be to support Haley.

If that apparently unlikely outcome happens, what will Trump do? Go away quietly? That’s the thing - Trump has the worst head to head odds against Biden, but if he loses the nomination, he’ll probably blow up Haley’s candidacy, not to mention down ballot races with nutjobs his base dutifully nominates again. That down ballot problem may be unavoidable unless Trump doesn’t endorse anybody.

I think republicans may feel like the diminished odds of Trump in a general are still their best odds. That’s the problem with such devotion to a serial election denier.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 12/02/2023 10:49AM]