AND A NUDGE IN THE OTHER PARTY – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:  Early polls indicate that Donald Trump will win the South Carolina primary next week, proving that he can win outside his natural constituencies in the north.

Early polls also show that Trump will be beaten by the Democratic nominee, even if it's Bernie Sanders.

The Republicans are in bad shape, an angry party willing, apparently, to make anger their platform.   I respect those who believe Trump is a talented, capable man.  He is.  But I just don't think he can go the distance.  I also don't think he's really a conservative.  Bill Kristol, of Weekly Standard, has the same concerns.  In our quote of the day he assesses the case against Trump.   

Trump can be beaten. Will he be? His opponents have focused more criticism on each other than on him, and some will continue along this path as they move on to South Carolina. Last year's overconfidence in the political class that Trump would naturally fade (and we plead guilty to this misjudgment) has mutated among some into a kind of fatalism that Trump can't be stopped.

This in turn provides an excuse for accommodation to and appeasement of him. Power attracts. Winning works. People like to be on the winning side. Politicians yearn to be on the winning side. Lobbyists make a living by being on the winning side. Donors feel satisfaction from being on the winning side. Pundits want to show they "get it" by embracing the winning side. As Trump himself understands, no one wants to be a "loser."

Well, we stand unapologetically with the New Hampshire losers. They're not perfect. Ted Cruz could appear more appealing and Marco Rubio more intimidating. John Kasich could seem less of a mushy moderate and Jeb Bush less of a blast from the past. But none is an embarrassment. We hope one or more of them defeats Trump in South Carolina and beyond. We hope for this not so we can be on the winning side, but because we're convinced that resisting the blandishments of Donald Trump is right for the party and the country.

COMMENT:  Okay, one can agree or disagree.  The Republican Party is tearing itself apart, forming, as the old expression goes, a circular firing squad.  Chris Christie's attack on Marco Rubio during the last debate was disgraceful and did enormous damage to a good man who could actually win in November.

If Trump is nominated, I'd support him.  But I don't think he's the best we can do, and I fear he will lead us to defeat.  If Hillary is the candidate, she'll destroy him in debate.  If Bernie is the candidate, he'll appear as your decent old uncle compared to the gruff New York mogul.  (Bernie, like most socialists, comes off as the gift giver.  He is not a gift giver.  He's a thief.)

February 13, 2016