Much of what is said here applies to other also-rans
Erick Erickson (formerly of Red State now of Resurgent) refers to fifth-party presidential hopeful Evan McMullin as the “sane alternative” to Trump and Hillary. Erickson in his political analysis is certifiable.
Both Erickson and Red State used to have some cache with me to the extent that if their stable of writers posted something — I considered it respectably objective. Now, when it comes to Trump, most are as cartoonish as they accuse Trump of being. Oh they remain objective, as objective as Snidley Whiplash towards anything Dudley Do-Right has to say, just no longer respectable in their chauvinistic neverTrumpism.
Now some such neverTrumpists* claim a candidate in McMullin even if he is not particularly conservative by their previous standards. The ridiculousness of their analysis is in gaga land.
To be sure there are other web sites so sycophantic in their support of Trump, so vociferous, so strident towards any challenge to him as to deserve to be always taken with a passel of salt as regards him. But this post is about Erickson’s political analysis and McMullan.
Consider this excerpt of Erickson’s comments which we will parse following their presentation as a unified statement:
The reality is Evan McMullin’s candidacy is a long shot. His best shot is winning a few states to throw the race to the House of Representatives where, though he may not get the Presidency, he might ensure neither Trump nor Hillary get it. To do this he would have to win a few blue states, which though difficult is not impossible. Surprisingly, he is already beginning to register in polls in red states like Utah and purple states like Virginia.
Frankly, Evan McMullin may actually serve a more important role in 2016.
Though he may not win, he might at least provide disaffected conservatives an excuse to show up and vote down ballot. Saving the Senate and House of Representatives from the Democrats has to be a priority for conservatives, but many are so disgusted by 2016 that they will not even show up in November.
The reality is Evan McMullin’s candidacy is a long shot.
- Referring to “reality” as encompassing even “long shot” as regards McMullin is no sign of respect to reality. Referring to McMullin’s “long shot” chances of actually winning the presidency as an understatement would be an injustice to any future use of the term impossible.
His best shot is winning a few states to throw the race to the House of Representatives where, though he may not get the Presidency, he might ensure neither Trump nor Hillary get it.
- Dear Erick, are you seriously contending he can win “a few states” and that the putatively majority Republican House will be unified to give it to someone other than the nominee of the Republican Party? Throwing it to the House because of the permutations of the Electoral College does not necessarily mean Trump got less popular votes or less electoral votes than Hillary. Why would a Republican House be constrained to give it to other than the Republican nominee, to play on an Obamanism, Republicans won – and are in charge?
he might ensure neither Trump nor Hillary get it.
- His goal of Trump not getting the presidency is exposed in much of Erickson’s writing to the extent it seems to eclipse everything, the risk of Hillary “getting it” is of little consequence to him.
To do this he would have to win a few blue states, which though difficult is not impossible.
- Please refer to the essence of our first bullet point
Surprisingly, he is already beginning to register in polls in red states like Utah and purple states like Virginia.
- Register and win are vastly different unless one is content to be spoiler of Trump and “
risk” install Hillary. But Morman McMullin in the latest polling is losing numbers in Utah (now at 9% down from a previous poll) and is at 3% in Virginia. And his showing in other states is abysmal for him.
Frankly, Evan McMullin may actually serve a more important role in 2016. Though he may not win, he might at least provide disaffected conservatives an excuse to show up and vote down ballot. Saving the Senate and House of Representatives from the Democrats has to be a priority for conservatives, but many are so disgusted by 2016 that they will not even show up in November.
- Now doesn’t this say something rich about what Erickson thinks of his followers or any so with it as to be “neverTrump? ! They are too stupid to know that there are other races to show up and vote in . . . that they are so discerning to see that Trump is anathema but otherwise not discerning enough to show up and vote other races. Absolutely incredible.
Perusing McMullin’s campaign web site we see McMullin is no Ted Cruz or great conservative, not on life (a vague paragraph is all McMullin can muster) , not on marriage (not an issue he will bother with) , not on immigration (his web site is silent on birthright citizenship).
- add some from the stable of The Federalist and other publications we rely on.
R Mall
