The Silver Linings of a Short Primary

Are there any?

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154
Campaign signs in Loudon, New Hampshire, on January 19, 2024. New Hampshire voters will weigh in next week on the Republican nominating race with their first-in-the-nation primary. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In this job as in any job, some assignments are easier than others.

Explaining why the Republican frontrunner is a civic cancer is child’s play. A piece like that writes itself, especially after you’ve written variations of it 800 times before.

Explaining why it’s good that that civic cancer will wrap up his party’s nomination before the end of January is more challenging.

Today we’re going to boost the degree of difficulty to 11 and try to find an upside to Donald Trump annihilating Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. It’s the only thing I can think to do to cope with the recent polling in New Hampshire.

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Comments (154)
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  1. Nick Farrel

    At least you included it in quotes, but no attribution of “permission structure” to the Great Goldberg? Be careful…

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  2. Tom M.

    Thought experiment: Does Trump lose even if "the actual reaper pays Old Man Trump a visit"? I'm convinced MAGA would still vote for him as a protest vote because, of course, he wouldn't have died of natural causes. His death would be because Biden ordered it...or something conspiratorial like that.

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      Ben Connelly

      Indeed. You might even say that Trump’s failure to keel over from a Big Mac indicates that he’s not a threat to the regime…

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  3. Dougrhon

    The time I've dreaded for over a year is nearly here. The time when the vast majority of the conservatives arguing against Trump as the nominee, endorse him. It means I will have to entirely tune out the election and just read about music, travel and movies.

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    1. J. Walter Weatherman

      You and me both, brother. I'll ignore it all and go vote because of the downballot races and local issues, but will write in Mitch Daniels like I have for the past two presidential elections. I refuse to cast a vote for either of those....people.

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  4. Szucsad

    A short primary forces the two clowns onto the stage, that’s the only plus I see. So far they’ve not had to debate. The spotlight will not be kind to either Trump or Biden.

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    Todd T

    How much digital ink (especially by Nick) was spent discussing a guy that didn’t last one primary.

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  6. Vaddeman

    How many DeSantis fans would have held a grudge?

    My estimate? None.

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    Mary Nixon

    If my choices are Biden or Trump in November as it looks like it will be, I choose none of the above. I will vote down ballot races but not president. Both are unqualified for the job.

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    1. Jfan

      Write someone else in. A clear conscience is a wonderful thing.

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        Mary Nixon

        I may write someone in. But I won’t vote for either Biden nor Trump

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      Theirnscott

      I wish I had that luxury. I live in a swing state.

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      1. Marc Whipple

        Voting for Biden in November?

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          Theirnscott

          Probably. I live in Georgia. I’d prefer to sit this one out. If the polls are within the margin of error my conscience would compell me to vote for Biden.

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      2. Jfan

        I have never been so happy to live in a strongly Democratic state.

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      3. Kevin H

        I live in PA and have written in the last two times but I will be switching to Biden/Harris as much as it kills me to do that. The threat is grave enough.

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  8. Russell J

    I guess AllahNick came around by the end. Suggesting that whatever tiny fraction of us supporting Haley as the least bad option will blindly follow her lead when she eventually grovels. And using MBD as the voice. Pretty close to fighting words. Haha. MBD is a nice guy but he will be touting how Trump is a logical step to his ideal of populism with Ivy League educated spokesmen as he has many times before. Not a trustworthy interpreter of voter thinking.

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    Rdpulfer

    Here's my question then: how will Donald Trump attempt to woo Haley's voters?

    Answer: He won't.

    Their entire existence undermines one of his biggest lies - that the "silent majority" of America has always backed him. So he'll likely do what he always does - double down and play to his base. If Trump doesn't already appeal to you, well, then you're probably a Marxist. Or a Communist. Or an illegal immigrant. Or worst of all, a RINO.

    Also, while I do think Haley will probably kiss the ring eventually, I don't think a long, protracted primary does Trump himself many favors. The longer this goes on, the more Trump lays into his adversaries - giving voters more chance to see just how ugly he can be towards his fellow Republicans.

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    1. Martin W Kraegel III

      This is what Trump had to say about Chris Sununu, one of the most popular governors in the country for some time now: You have a governor — honestly, he’s terrible.”

      “He thinks he’s hot stuff. He’s nothing … this guy is bad news.”

      “You guys don’t need this guy.”

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  10. Bubba

    Is Trump a bad apple or is the entire barrel a steaming dung heap?

    A Trump landslide points to the latter.

    Now the democrats can flip to attacking him instead of supporting him.

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    1. Goatprairie

      "is the entire (GOP) barrel a steaming dung heap?"

      Mostly. Nary a principled elected pol left in the party.

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    2. Hikingguy

      Democrats are not supporting Trump. Don't be silly.

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