ABM and Romney Syndrome

Two local, respected conservative blogs that I track regularly provide a neat illustration of why this election has devolved into mutually assured destruction for the GOP.

On one hand Dave at Nixguy claims to have "gone ABM" - he's willing to support Anybody But McCain. On the other hand Tom at Bizzyblog continues to hammer away at the candidate he decries as "Objectively Unfit Mitt". And these are not mutually exclusive conditions. I suspect for instance, on the basis of things he's posted about in the past, Tom is hardly a McCain supporter either.

These are the two front-runners. Statistically, one of these characters is very likely to be the nominee. Rudy continues to crater, and everyone else in the field stands very little chance of re-gaining momentum in advance of Super Tuesday, which will carve out a massive hunk of the electoral chicken.

You will rarely see the Democrats categorically swear off the possibility of supporting the nominee if it goes to a rival candidate. Admittedly the Clintons are in the process of inspiring that level of acrimony with their ruthless attempt at a third term. But mostly you will hear harmonious talk about falling in to support their party.

It's still too early to write the full obituary for the post-Reagan Republican Party, but I've got the post saved as a draft. Meanwhile I don't ever want to hear anyone, anywhere claim the right wing marches in "lock step". Because those days are done.