Dividing the Flocks

For John, BLUF:  For sure, President Trump has been divisive, dividing the sheep from the goats.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Exclusive:  Dozens of former Republican officials in talks to form anti-Trump third party

From Reuters, by Reporter Tim Reid, 10 February 2021, 9:39 PM.

Here is the lede plus three:

Dozens of former Republican officials, who view the party as unwilling to stand up to former President Donald Trump and his attempts to undermine U.S. democracy, are in talks to form a center-right breakaway party, four people involved in the discussions told Reuters.

The early stage discussions include former elected Republicans, former officials in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Trump, ex-Republican ambassadors and Republican strategists, the people involved say.

More than 120 of them held a Zoom call last Friday to discuss the breakaway group, which would run on a platform of “principled conservatism,” including adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law - ideas those involved say have been trashed by Trump.

The plan would be to run candidates in some races but also to endorse center-right candidates in others, be they Republicans, independents or Democrats, the people say.

It isn't just about Mr Donald J Trump.  It is about all those Republicans on Capitol Hill who are unwilling to take him down and bar him from any future office.

Professor Glenn Reynolds notes, in his comment on this article:

Also, the notion that the GOP is “divided” is hogwash.  Bush finished in 2009 with an approval of 34%, and that was a bounce from a fall low of 25%.  Trump finished with 51%, and a 79% approval rating among Republicans.

I am wondering if this new coterie will attract anyone from the Democratic Party side.  Perhaps folks like Representative Marcy Kaptur, of Ohio.  I can't help but think that Trump Derangement Syndrome♠ is what is helping the Democrats hold together.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  My Middle Brother asserts, with great forcefulness, that TDS stands for those of us who are deranged, as indicated by our support for President Trump.  While the Urban Dictionary backs this take, Dictionary dot Com does not.  I go with Dictionary dot Com.