the next guy
Superstar
All true. The Immigration reform (which Bush did to keep the chamber of commerce happy), killed the relationship.I disagree the Republican Party hasn’t said anything bad about Trump up until now because the Republican base loves Trump. Bill Kristol admitted that the GOP has placated this base since the Reagan days. However hate radio, and Fox News radicalized the base. The GOP elites lost control of the party and this all started after Bush jr tried to get immigration reform in his second term and the base damn near revolted and killed that bill. When Obama won this further radicalized the base. McCain had to make Palin his VP to try to placating the Republican racist base. Romney did the same with Paul Ryan who was the hero of the tea party. The base never liked McCain or Romney. They loved Trump and he won in 2016. So for them this gives them justification that going far right is the key to victory. Even though Trump’s victory was a fluke. The GOP rode on the white supremacist tiger and now the tiger is devouring them.
Once Trump loses the base will blame the Lincoln Project Republicans and the GOP is going even more far right with the Qanon bullshyt. When Dems are in power the GOP usually goes even further right. They dwell on being the insurgent party. The next Republican primaries are gonna be a blood bath. But the base are the real kingmakers. The GOP aren’t gonna expand the tent they will double down in voter suppression unless Dems win consecutive elections to maintain the trifecta.