It's Time to Accept the Fact that the National Republican Party Isn't What it Used to Be

There are certainly points of continuity between the Republican party of the last several decades and the party today, but it's time to accept the fact that the current national party just isn't what it used to be. The most obvious evidence of this is to consider the standing of Mitt Romney, John McCain, and George W. Bush--the last three Republican standard-bearers. Sure, Romney and McCain lost to Obama (and McCain passed away) so it's somewhat understandable that the party has no use for them anymore. But George W. Bush was a two-term president! Remember?! Now he's nothing [1].

I believe that there are a lot of Republican voters soldiering on because they haven't yet come to terms with what has happened to the party. Comforted by Fox News and other Republican propaganda outlets [2], they may even blame Democrats for all the nastiness. It is one thing to believe the garbage that Donald Trump and his allies say, or simply not care. But let's not have this business that somehow Democrats are responsible for the unpleasantness around Trump.

A raft of Republican former and current politicians, as well as many of Trump's first-term staff (including his Vice President!), are trying to wave the country away from him. In some cases they are simply not endorsing him, while in others they are outright endorsing Harris. This is not the fault of Democrats being mean. It is the fault of Donald Trump and his poor character. (In fact, most of Trump's problems can be traced back to his poor character. This ought to be obvious, and failure to accept it is like trying to make the universe revolve around Earth.) Moreover, Trump has ushered a collection of kooks and misfits into the party and given them influence.

Consider the following changes:

Once the Republican party aspired to be the party of smart ideas and good governance. Now it is the party of justifying whatever Donald Trump does or says.

Once the Republican party stood against Soviet Russia. Now it embraces "useful idiots" who repeat propaganda put out by Russia designed to weaken the U.S.

Once the Republican party stood against authoritarian regimes and valued alliances with other free countries. Now it sees those relationships through the lens of short-term political or financial benefit.

Once the Republican party sought to govern compassionately. Now it foments hatred against broad groups of people (citizens and non-citizens) for political gain.

Once the Republican party upheld the rule of law and personal accountability. Now obstruction of justice and breaking the law are fine if it's in the service of Trump or other favored goals.

I don't mean to whitewash the sins of the Republican party of the past or glorify its history. Nor am I saying that the Democratic party (which has undergone its own changes) is without flaw. I'm simply saying that as long as the Republican party's main purpose is to exalt Donald Trump (or any one person) and receives the validation of voters, it will never return to the values of its best aspirations.

It's time to see the party for what it is and not cling to an idealized past.

Notes:
1. To the extent that Bush's status is a reflection of Republicans souring on the Iraq war and a belief that the Bush administration misled them, it is deeply ironic that their instinct has been to set their hearts on someone even more dishonest.
2. If you think that my application of the term propaganda to Fox News is exaggerated and inflammatory, then we can have a discussion after you have familiarized yourself with the internal communications that the Dominion lawsuit brought to light.

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