#NeverTrump, the RNC, and a New GOP
In what should have been a sweeping election cycle for Republicans has become a do or die moment for the Grand Old Party. Trump’s nomination has, for better or worse shaped the Republican party for elections to come. Lifelong Republicans have found themselves mired in a state of shock and awe over Trump being named the presumptive nominee. Some vowing #NeverTrump, and to be honest can you blame them?
Trump has been anything but conservative in previous convictions and has leveraged anger, hatred, and fear to secure the nomination for the highest office in the land. As die hard Trump supporters will argue, he’s the man for the job because he’s a Washington outsider who cannot be bought and will make America great again. Maybe Trump is that candidate, but given his inconsistencies when it comes to policy issues, it does not seem likely. Trump has the ability to contradict himself without any losing his credibility. From gun control, to Surian refugees to the use of torture, it is no surprise why the #NeverTrump crowd is not sold on a Trump presidency.
Meanwhile, the RNC is working overtime to get their ducks in a row and restore party unity by calling for #NeverTrumpers to fall in line behind the newly named nominee. However, the #NeverTrump crowd is making it clear their name is no.
With this much tension and discord among the GOP and its members, there is no question that these times are a changing and the Republican party will not look the way it did during the Reagan years or even under Lincoln. By today’s standards alone, Reagan himself would be considered a liberal. For a party who hangs its hat on the memories of Reagan’s legacy, this should serve as a wake up call, because Sugar, we’re going down; and with Trump at the helm the establishment may want to brace themselves for the bumpiest election cycle ever seen in the GOP.