George Will Leaves the GOP

Never thought you'd see this day:

"Conservative columnist George Will has left the Republican Party."

"The longtime commentator reportedly made the announcement during a Federalist Society event in Washington, D.C., on Friday."

"Will, who resides in Maryland, said he changed his affiliation this month from Republican to unaffiliated."

"A report from PJ Media quoted Will as saying: “This is not my party.”

"He also said that it’s too late for the Republican Party to nominate someone who isn’t Donald Trump, an idea that those in the Never Trump movement have been holding on to as the convention nears.

“Make sure he loses,” he said. “Grit their teeth for four years and win the White House.”

"Trump attacked the Washington Post columnist as a “major loser” last month, criticizing a column Will wrote, headlined “If Trump is nominated, the GOP must keep him out of the White House.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/george-will-leaves-gop-224801#ixzz4CcqpYKwE

This is actually doubly good news. Not only is he out of the GOP, he's saying it's too late to stop Trump at the convention. See if his colleague at the Washington Post, Jennifer Rubin, catches on to that one.

Hank Paulson full throatedly negative endorses Trump-and so endorses Hillary.

"Former Bush Treas Sec (& China hand) Hank Paulson sets example that should shame the Vichy Republicans."

https://twitter.com/JamesFallows/status/746466012673933312

Paulson:

"Now let’s talk about Trump the prospective president. Are we to believe that Trump, with his intensely divisive rhetoric and behavior, could bridge our country’s partisan divide? The American people are disgusted with business as usual in Washington, and it’s not hard to understand why. They feel like they are being left behind or are afraid that they will be. They aren’t getting honest answers, and they believe that the most important problems are not being solved. This is not the fault of one political party; it’s the fault of too many partisans and ideologues on both sides who are unwilling or unable to work together."

"I can’t help but think what would have happened if a divisive character such as Trump were president during the 2008 financial crisis, at a time when leadership, compromise and careful analysis were critical. The only reason we avoided another Great Depression was because Republicans and Democrats joined together to vote for the Troubled Asset Relief Program ( TARP) — a vote that they knew would be politically unpopular but in the best interest of our country. Critical to that effort was the leadership of President George W. Bush. As I led the Treasury’s efforts to fashion a difficult, imperfect, controversial but essential solution with bipartisan support, I was — and still am — grateful to have had President Bush at the helm."

"Today’s challenges include economic stagnation and disruptions in the labor markets — driven to a large extent by technological advances moving at warp speed — that are widening income disparity, destroying jobs and hollowing out the middle class. And populists on each side are playing to fears and frustrations, pointing fingers at scapegoats and creating boogeymen: blaming the banks, greedy companies or foreigners for our problems. But the politics of grievance is not the answer."

"Now is the time for a bipartisan approach to policy solutions that address our most difficult domestic problems. This requires a president who exhibits an ability to compromise — and basic civility — neither of which Trump displays."

https://t.co/ey4McGEDvU

I actually agree with a lot of what he says. Ok, I personally think the GOP has had the lion's share in an unwillingness to compromise-though the Berners are an example of it on the Left.

Part of why things went smoothly in 2008 was that Obama worked with Paulson and W rather than tried to score partisan points.

Paulson also correctly diagnoses the problems the country face with wage stagnation due to technology.

Anyway, Paulson if nothing else remains someone worthy of respect-though the debate about optimal 2008 policy goes on.

I don't hold Will on quite this level, but give him credit for knowing when to say enough if enough.

At least no one can ever reproach him with trying to defend the indefensible.

The key point is Paulson's larger argument: country over party.

"Republicans stand at a crossroads. With Donald Trump as the presumptive presidential nominee, we are witnessing a populist hijacking of one of the United States’ great political parties. The GOP, in putting Trump at the top of the ticket, is endorsing a brand of populism rooted in ignorance, prejudice, fear and isolationism. This troubles me deeply as a Republican, but it troubles me even more as an American. Enough is enough. It’s time to put country before party and say it together: Never Trump."

https://t.co/ey4McGEDvU

It's one thing for Republicans who said Never Trump during the primary-after all, partisan interest in beating Hillary Clinton obviously pointed to someone other than Trump as the nominee.

Those still saying it now that he is the nominee-unlike Little Marco and friends-deserve our respect.