the ballots?

Previous cases, notably Frank Lautenberg's election in 2002, have pretty firmly established that the Party can change the name of a candidate if their nominee withdraws, despite state laws. State law cannot override federal decisions, so any ballot-battle in a state would be quickly kicked up to the federal level and swatted back.

If the RNC is smart--and I'm not saying there's any evidence to think that they are--their legal teams are already getting the paperwork ready so that they can fight it out in the courts nationwide. Even if they don't they'll be able to copy each others' work at the last minute.

Printed ballots will be the biggest issue, I would imagine. But recall that we're talking about the Republican Party here, experts at vote-theft and arguing in favor of whatever position suits their purposes that day. They'll be fine if they cut the rope on Trump.

As bad as things are, forcing him out would alienate 80% of their base. I think it would mean the immediate demise of the party.

While a new candidate could also change the metrics for November, I would welcome it for the sake of the country.

The pugs in my office have been largely silent lately.

The come to Jesus meeting between Trump and GOP establishment yesterday?

... to the point where they will capitulate to trump yet again.

He showed the world who he is.

We're guaranteed to have some signature Trump over-reaction
and fear flailing. What a cheeto-encrusted disaster for the GOP.

The low expectations game is definitely happening here.

generally stick to a script and just parrot talking points if needed. His gaffes were mostly confined to horrific mangling of grammar or getting basic facts wrong.

Trump is an idiot too, but he cannot stay on message or even get through a speech without going off script. And his gaffes are bizarre hateful rants that he also doubles and triples down on when called out.

I think Trump is going to have a much harder time than Bush even with low expectations.

But I also do expect some kind of limited bounce for him after the first debate if he can manage just to not crap the bed for an hour on TV, possibly lasting until the next time he craps the bed.

When Hillary starts in on his past business practices, he'll lose his shit....all over the aforementioned bed. Guaranteed.

I'm just saying that if he can fake being something vaguely resembling a human being as long as the cameras are rolling, he's got a shot at a little bounce until the next time he proposes nuking Rome or whatever. I do tend to agree on the odds he can do that.

almost can't wait for Trump to start talking about his fence and then see Hillary just turn him into a pile of quivering dog poo.

Every time Trump blows past a deadline to "act presidential" they set another one. Trump then makes a teleprompter speech where he appears half sane. By the next day he tweets some outrageous stuff or goes crasy at a rally. Rince and repeat. Why do they think it will change ?

back in Cleveland. But no, they rolled over and fell in behind Trump instead.

Fuck them, they deserve whatever wrath he bestows on them and the party.

that people aren't suddenly going to have amnesia and forgot the crazy shit that trump has said and done. It doesn't matter if they give him 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 years, he is never going to change and he is never going suddenly "turn it around".

that Trump's "rigged election" talk has made his supporters less likely to show up to the polls, which I find interesting.

But it makes sense that some would feel it was hopeless to fight against the 'conspiracy' against them.

Limiting himself to one screw-up a day?

Really, really mean it!

and Bushco will turn the Iraq War around" Then 6 more months, then 6 more, then another 6, then ......................

He must stay the course until November 1, then reassess.

I guess I'm required to use the sarcasm tag, even though him staying in and the GOOP sticking with him is the best chance for a Progressive Landslide.

Why would anyone think that he is going to become an entirely different person in the next three weeks?

It is magical thinking.

Trump has to be laughing at them.

to realize that he won't stop being a fuck-up?