I don’t see that Republicans driving a wedge between themselves and the President is a good election strategy. […] The President is seen universally as the face of the Republican Party. We are now brand W. Republicans.

A politician looks out for Number One at all times, but as a wide cast, it’s difficult to say that the pollster isn’t right. Congress is not functioning, it has been a rubber stamp, a party’s fortunes almost always depend on the Head Honcho, and individuals might be able to get breathing space from Head Honcho — as a group, they cannot.

There have been times. Brand Harding was cleared out in a real hurry in favour of Brand Coolidge, at a remarkably breath-taking pace. But Brand Hoover flaoted over the party for a decade, and there was nothing — nothing at all — the party could do in 1934 or 1936. On the Democrats’ side, Brand Cleveland was whisked away in favour of Brand Bryan — and if someone points out that Bryan lost, I can point out that Cleveland would have lost by a landslide.

But Brand Nixon … that couldn’t be plunged in 1974. So what are you supposed to do?

Brand Bush was shown to be doomed in 2005. The New Jersey Gubernatorial winner won with an ad that had the question “[Opponent] is George Bush’s choice. Is he YOURS?”, ominous music in the background. All the Republicans are George Bush’s choice… by definition. How the heck are you supposed to navigate away from THAT?

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