The (Republican) Carnival Is Over

So, they've done it. Back in the distant of summer of 2015, I was one of many who thought that Donald Trump's entry into the US presidential race was nothing but a hilarious sideshow. The Donald had massively unfavourable opinion poll ratings, he was a shambolic campaigner, he was good at alienating many of the key segments of American society. I just couldn't see what the Republican Party would gain from nominating him. And I will admit, I laughed.

Today, I am still laughing. 

This may seem odd. Trump's win in Indiana has resulted in his two final opponents exiting the Republican nomination race. Barring some sort of divine intervention, or critical scandal, Trump will be the GOP's candidate for the presidency.

And what a candidate. Trump is not a conservative. He holds a wide range of bizarre views, some of which change by the hour. He is not the man his supporters think he is. He is insulting, confrontational, and basically insulting. He is also extremely unpopular. No one has become their party's nomination with such a small percentage of the primary vote since the introduction of the modern primary system in the early 1970s.

For the Republican Party, this is nothing short of a catastrophe. And I have no sympathy for them. Their opposition to Obama helped to create the conditions which facilitated Trump's run. They failed to stand up to Trump until it was too late. They allowed his outrageous behaviour to continue unchecked, his ridiculous claims to go unchallenged.

If they were serious about stopping Trump, the GOP should have fought every step of the way. Cruz and Kasich should have fought in the last ditch for a contested convention. The mechanisms to stop him were there all along.

Instead, they have abdicated their responsibility, and let the monster in. And given him the wheel too. Some analysts even question whether the Republicans will survive the electoral whirlwind that Trump will bring down on them. Many governors, senators and congressmen are looking nervously at their races.

The Republicans failed to stop Trump. That role now lies in the hands of Hillary Clinton, and the voters. He is screwed. As are many in the party he has hijacked.

For the Republican Party, the carnival is well and truly over.