You were thisclose to finishing a post without the anti-Trump, anti-sovereignty, pro-globalism, democrat-socialist talking points venom seeping through. Thisclose. You just can't help yourself. 
Working for Romney yet? Or waiting with bated breath for the democrat-socialist's choice?
First of all, thanks as always for bumping my posts,
@Right_in_Virginia The Dems are not the only ones pimping tribalism and identity politics. Trump does it too, and I'd be a hypocrite for decrying the former without also noting the latter. Just as the Dems won't let their candidates (save for Bernie, who knows better) appear on Fox News, so does Trump prefer the comfort of his adoring rallies to getting out and engaging with folks on the "other side".
Am I wrong for seeking a leader who's willing to be President of the entire nation? Not just the progs and fashionable minorities? And not just the alt-right?
I am willing and able to differentiate between Trump's policies, many of which I support, and the man himself, who makes me cringe in embarrassment sometimes. I am also able to understand why for so many the desire to be rid of Trump and his daily chaos will make them vote for a Democrat who, quite frankly, will make our tribal enmities worse.
Trump is an accidental President. He did not expect to be President, and I believe in his heart of hearts he would rather be back with his businesses and his family than dealing with the daily volleys of vituperation and hate. I sympathize with the man; he's gotten a raw deal, and so have his supporters, labelled deplorables and worse by folks who used to know better, who used to see the value of conciliation and compromise.
But the Trump-hate machine is well-oiled and efficient; it dominates most of our daily lives, from the media we consume to the offhand remarks we here from colleagues, neighbors and even the strangers we encounter on the trains and in coffee shops. Nearly half of the folks in my neighborhood have yards signs out proclaiming that folks like me aren't welcome in their homes! The Dems are prepared to go scorched earth, betting that running against Trump will be the lever that installs the progressive of their dreams.
I fear they can succeed. Which is why I advocate for Republicans, from the politicians in Washington to the common folks who post on this board, to urge Trump, for the good of the nation, to decline to run for a second term. Trump is mercurial and erratic, but deep down he is, I think, a good man and a patriot. I believe his better angels can be appealed to. We do not want the next President to be Bernie Sanders or one of the other all-purpose haters because Trump has distracted voters from the danger they represent. The issues of socialism and the rending of our social fabric need to be address squarely; those of us who do not want these things must have the choice of a candidate they can be proud of.
