Never Trump: Never Stop Never Trumping, Sad fanfic edition

This is just sad:

The Republican Party’s strongest alternative to former President Donald Trump is in trouble. Trumpy Republicans want the real thing, not an imitation. Non-Trumpy Republicans just aren’t impressed. The candidate himself has yet to find a compelling message. The result is that once again, as in 2016, Trump is likely to prevail because Republicans cannot coalesce around an alternative—even though a candidate who is experienced in government, solidly conservative, and acceptable to most factions of the party is right there in front of them.

I speak, of course, of former Vice President Mike Pence.

The idea that Pence could be the Republican presidential nominee is right up there with blaming Democrats running banal negative ads for MAGA candidates winning primaries for total denial about what the Republican base actually wants. He obviously doesn’t have the political ability to win the nomination under any circumstances, but the idea that he could win the nomination after being the single most visible opponent of Trump’s attempt to steal the election is beyond delusional.

So what’s the argument that Pence could be a viable candidate?

Of course, Pence’s chances depend mainly on Mike Pence. No amount of boosting can rescue him if he withers on the stump or voters simply don’t want him. Still, given his many strengths, pundits and politicians have been too quick to write him off. Remember, after all, the story of John McCain in 2008. Though his campaign seemingly collapsed, he came back to win the nomination because primary voters saw that he was their most electable candidate. Much the same happened to Biden himself in 2020.

Biden 2020? Really? Let’s look at some data here:

Biden, for all intents and purposes, led the Democratic field wire-to-wire, generally by large margins. Warren briefly got within statistical range in October 2019, and Bernie briefly led after his early successes Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, but it was always Biden’s race to lose. Many political observers (and I plead guilty on all counts!) discounted this polling lead, but it was always there.

Now let’s look at the 2024 Republican field:

There’s been no boom-or-bust with Pence — he’s polling at a nice, consistent 5%, and has barely budged even as Trump’s only remotely viable competitor has Scott Walkered. If he’s the establishment alternative to Trump, there is no alternative. And…well there you go.