During the final death throes of his hapless candidacy to become the Republican presidential nominee, Rick Perry took what many likened to, “a hail Mary pass.” He systematically and viciously attacked the Republican front-runner, Donald Trump. He slammed the reality TV star’s presidential bid as dangerous and claimed, if left unchecked, it could bring about the demise of the Republican Party.
“He offers a barking carnival act that can be best described as Trumpism: a toxic mix of demagoguery, mean-spiritedness and nonsense that will lead the Republican Party to perdition if pursued,” warned Perry during an address at the Willard Hotel in downtown Washington. “Let no one be mistaken: Donald Trump’s candidacy is a cancer on conservatism, and it must be clearly diagnosed, excised and discarded.”
The attacks on Trump, however, didn’t work. On what could not have been a more somber day, September 11th, the former Texas Governor was forced to suspend his latest bid for the presidency.
Of course, Perry was spot on.
A Trump nomination as Republican presidential standard-bearer could be the end of the Republican Party as we now know it. But even if Trump does not become the nominee or this is all a hoax by the man, the damage he has inflicted on the Republican brand may be irreparable. By being forced to play Trump’s game of hate and division, Republicans have alienated just about everyone; gays, blacks, women, Hispanics, Asians, the poor, immigrants, and anyone who believes in science, education, justice, fairness and equality.
Anyway you slice it, the numbers do not work for the Republicans. While they may do well in state elections by sticking to their well-honed playbook, they have very little, to no, chance in a national election, regardless of whom the Democrats pick as their nominee.
No matter what happens, the damage has been done … but Trump will be a winner. For a great analysis of this point, read, Donald Trump Has Already Won by William H. Harwood, instructor of Philosophy, The University of Texas-Pan American.
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