Steve Bannon's war to remake the GOP in the image of Breitbart is a high stakes wager for everyone. The question for non-Republicans is what do you root for? In some ways, the current GOP elite are so far away from any policy desires, they might as well be Roy Moore. And, yet, if Bannon succeeds in turning the GOP over to its most reactionary, aggressively loony voters, could that drive moderate, suburban Republicans into the Democrats' arms? Clearly, the best result is a schism rather than a civil war, with one group or another breaking off and spoiling the election chances of the other.
The worst result is what we saw in November. The GOP empowers its worst elements: the racist uncle voter. They nominate crazy people like Roy Moore. Then, Republicans fall in line and vote for the Republican, because they just can't vote for a Democrat. While the policy outcomes are likely identical - Roy Moore OR Luther Strange are equally likely to steal healthcare from a baby - the tone and tenor of politics will get even uglier.
Jeff Flake's act of grandstanding was just that: grandstanding. It accomplished absolutely nothing to stop Trump or his agenda. Flake objects to Trump's tone, his Tweets....but not his policies. If anything he objects to the way Trump undermines Flake's ability to cut taxes on billionaires with Trump's heterodox tweeting.
But if Bannon can rupture the GOP, then perhaps we have a way out of our current political chaos. If he takes it over - and Republicans who should know better stay in the party - things will only get worse.
Stay tuned and stay frosty.
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