WANTED: A Republican with courage
By Albert Hunt, opinion contributor — 05/19/19 11:30 AM EDT
WANTED: A Republican with courage willing to undertake a critical, and probably futile, mission next year: Challenge Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primaries.
It's close to impossible to deny him the nomination, though I suspect there's a one in five chance he doesn't run, due to his physical condition (obese), emotional erraticism, continuing legal woes, or — despite his lazy work habits — he decides it's too damn hard.
More likely he runs and while not in good shape with the general public, Trump dominates the Republican party more than anyone since Ronald Reagan.
The overarching purpose of a challenge, however, would be as policy placeholder, or agenda-setter for a post Trump Republican party, to try and develop the case that his brand should not be the GOP's future.
There are primary challenges that mattered. Sen. Gene McCarthy's opposition to a sitting president demonstrably changed the party's standing on the Vietnam War. Ronald Reagan's unsuccessful challenge of President Ford in 1976 created an enduring conservative legacy.
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https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/444445-wanted-a-republican-with-courage