It is 2016 all over again, and very few have seemed to learn the lesson when it comes to Donald Trump. The Show-Me state’s record can demonstrate why Trump will most likely be the 2024 Republican nominee.
Some pundits have speculated that Trump couldn’t possibly be the Republican nominee, asserting that he is an albatross on the party and blaming him for their losses. While correct, that makes little difference at this point. Many are busy casting wishes that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or others would take Trump out. Many donors are literally banking on alternatives. From my perspective here in flyover country, it is too late. Republican base voters haven’t changed. They are not listening to elites, they will not care about any Trump indictment, and the mainstream news media is missing it again.
The days for stopping Trump were back in 2016, before he became the Republican presidential nominee, or in 2021 with his second impeachment trial. The establishment shirked its responsibilities both times, and now it is too late. Trump has enough voters, he has control of the state parties, he has a significant influence over the national party, and his opponents have done too little to distinguish themselves from Trump, let alone explain why he shouldn’t be president again.
