as a precaution against any future political opposition he might be willing to speak out.

W’s many failures, and inability to override his own shortcomings, are pretty well set in stone.

... because the GOP feels a demographic shift and is ready to end democracy if that's what's needed to stay in power. They have become anti-American in the face of losing power.

Trump is the tool to do that. Bush is a forgotten bit of history.

Suppose we can call on Shrub to help us out.

I pick Pee Wee Herman ahead of Bush. Bush is too busy painting in the shower.

Maybe there is something in that heart and Rove might want to feel relevant. Dubyah alone is just a dumbass without the evil forces that got him elected and ran his regime.

Anyway, it was only a paper straw.

Besides, pretty much everyone already knows what W thinks of Trump. Republicans certainly do.

At this point in time, W isn't going to hold any more sway over them than any other Republican not named Donald Trump.

But still, the imaginary scene was inspiring, don’t you think?

“Before any formal impeachment action, Speaker Pelosi could invite you to address a joint session of Congress, giving a “State of the Republic” speech outlining Trump’s unfitness for the office and calling upon Congress to put the nation first and to do its duty to remove Trump from the Presidency. . .

In attendance: All members of the House and Senate, the Supreme Court, the three other living former presidents, all 50 governors, distinguished former congressional, executive and judicial branch officials (especially retired Republicans such as former cabinet members James Baker and George Shultz and former Senate leaders like Bill Frist, and Trent Lott) and representatives of democratic governments around the world.

Pointedly, however, the guest list should exclude Trump—along with the Vice President and current cabinet members who have already abdicated their responsibilities under the 25th Amendment.“

Jeb Bush is probably the least likely politician I can think of to lead a revolution to overthrow the status quo.

Well, the status quo before Trump, that is. The point being that Jeb! seems more representative of a typical career politician invested in the status quo for personal gain (tax cuts!) than a Trump-style, destroy-the-government, wannabe tyrant.

Shepard Smith, for instance, would probably wield more influence now than W.

. .to address Congress.

Carter shined with Habitat for Humanity and the respect and deference he has received internationally. The Clinton Foundation has been very successful in helping third world countries, especially women in third world countries. Obama is just starting but looks to be on his way to being an important former president. W has done nothing. It wouldn't surprise me if emotionally he is not well. Even Nixon had a more successful post-presidency than W.

So I don't think W has the influence to speak out in any meaningful way against Trump. No one from that period does.

The 40% that approves of Trump has all of the Republicans in the Senate scared out of their minds. I think there are more white supremacist in this country than we thought. And I don't think many of the current Republicans know what to do with that.

Nevertheless, I admit it only gave me the faintest glimmer of hope.