If you thought the candidates were especially batty this year, check out the pundits. From the inevitability of Jeb! (later Marco?) to more recent treasures like “Trump Will Pivot,” the political press has felt free to predict dang near anything about the GOP presidential race… and been taken seriously.
Now, consultant/fundraiser/former ambassador Howard Gutman has decided to see how far the rubber band of editorial credulity can be stretched. His Washington Post column yesterday was topped with the Upworthy-worthy clickbait headline, "The first female president of the United States might not be who you’d expect".
And you truly won’t believe what happens next.
Gutman, like many, sees a contested GOP convention ahead, a frustrated Trump shy of delegates thwarted by an establishment terrified of partisan seppuku, who elevate their own savior candidate to go forth and slay the evil Hillary.
And his choice for white knight? Kasich? Ryan?
Beuller?
No, Gutman sees the ‘Pubs skipping over the entire roster of primary candidates and Mr. Speaker to anoint South Carolina governor Nikki Haley as the Republican presidential nominee.
Now, Gutman isn’t the only yammerhead who sees political talent in Gov. Haley. Brent Budowsky and other have tagged her as running-mate-ready and she may indeed have some future on the national stage.
But to think that the GOP establishment is going to deny Trump and his millions of rabid followers, bestow the nom on someone who hasn’t run in a single primary and that said someone will rally disaffected ‘Pubs and independents to a glorious victory in November is beyond speculation, beyond wishful thinking. It’s the pundit equivalent of high schoolers acid rapping. (“What if, like, the whole universe is just a speck of dust in Nikki Haley’s Oval Office?” “Whoa.”)
I’m thinking this editorial racket might be for me. I mean, I’ve said some crazy-high stuff in my time. I just never realized you could make a living at it.