William Weld to primary Trump

Good for him. Maybe he can deliver a few good body blows in the primaries, wear out the orange moron.

I agree he won't win, NT.

But.

An historian on Twitter noted that while primary challenges to incumbent presidents do not succeed historically, on the other hand, sitting presidents who are primaried generally lose in the general election. Which is what counts. I think Mark's point about wearing Trump out in the primary stretch (and costing him money) is apropos. And symbolically, I think it's hugely important. Weld isn't some punk no one ever heard of -- he's a two-time governor with some clout. I think it's also the case that it gives a specific focus and choice for dissatisfied Republicans.

And on that last point -- it will be interesting to see, now that Trump has shown thoroughly what he is, what Republicans will do given a viable choice in the primaries. I know a couple of Republicans who will regard it as manna from heaven that they can pull a lever for someone else in a primary. But then, there are those others. But this time, there's no excuse of "oh, I didn't know what he was like and I'm a loyal Republican and I couldn't vote for Hillary", as there was in the 2016 election. It will say worlds about someone, IMO, if they choose Trump in this situation. (And you can guess I won't think it says anything good.)

I said, twice, HE WON'T WIN. That is not why I think it matters.

The mere fact that the sitting president is being primaried is a big deal. While, again, WELD WON'T WIN the nomination, sitting presidents who get primaried generally lose. Incumbents who run generally get a clean easy ride to the nomination. While, again, HE WON'T WIN the nomination, he'll force Trump to put forth some efforts campaigning against him. (Trump won't be able to help himself, anyway -- he'll feel compelled to pile on Weld even if his efforts would be better spent in other ways. While, again, HE WON'T WIN the nomination, I also have a hunch that him putting himself out there might encourage others to do so. Sometimes you just need one brave soldier to stand up.... While, again, HE WON'T WIN the nomination, he's not a joke candidate. He's a well-regarded two-time former governor. The fact that such a man is putting forth a challenge is important even though, like I said, HE WON'T WIN.

He doesn't need to win for this to be a big deal.

ETA:

A bit of history on past primary challenges of sitting presidents, and the outcomes:

www.cbsnews.com/news/when-presidents-get-primary-challenges/

He's...not going to win?

But anyway. I am thinking perhaps voters like you (if you're registered as a Republican and can vote in that primary) might find it satisfying to have a chance to pull that lever for a candidate who isn't a grifter. I have a couple of friends who are registered Republicans who are pleased as punch about it -- they went Johnson/Weld in 2016 and are thrilled to pull a lever for Weld again.

We'll see. I think it weakens Trump. Historically, primary challenges do. And every chink in the GOP wall protecting that grifting turd matters, IMO. And it's a middle finger in his face, which of course makes me happy. Go Weld!

Also, I'm specifically happy to see someone challenging him in the primary rather than as an independent. Normally, I'm good with third party candidates (and indeed have voted for them). But given that I think the single most important thing in 2020 is getting Trump out and someone in who isn't a lying cheating grifting traitorous turd, this year I'm worry about dividing the vote. I'd like to see the Dems pick someone who independents can get on board with sufficiently to vote for over Trump.

He...won't win?

Definitely register as an R to vote against Trump in the primary. It would be the patriotic thing to do. And I'll send you a cookie. I'd consider doing it myself, except I want to do what I can to make sure we get a candidate I like and think can win (NOT BERNIE PLEASE NOT BERNIE) on the Dem side.

This is a point.

Do eeeet.  Register R, just to vote against Trump in the primary.  Hey, you never know.

Let me just dream for a minute about the prospect of having him out of the 2020 race...of not having that sick dread in the pit of my stomach as election day approaches, instead just my usual healthy interest and preference for one candidate over another...a return at last to those halcyon pre-2016 days before we entered this horrifying alternative storyline...