As neo indicates the rise of primaries was a long-term trend that predated Nixon. As for Nixon, yes he was nominated five times. He won four times and barely lost the fifth (1960 vs. Kennedy).

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With time — and death bed admissions — we now know that he won the 1960 election.

It was stolen from him by the MOB — ie the Chicago Mafia.

The gal who bagged the money — flatly admitted it.

Then she died.

Then, moments after Kennedy’s victory, Frank Marshall Davis celebrated the defeat of his arch enemy RMN — by knocking up Anne Dunham — and giving America today’s president.

Look at the calendar.

Barry Setoro HAD to be conceived ELECTION NIGHT to be born August 4, 1961.

Obama, Sr. was not even in sight.

Both men would’ve been denied a marriage license: bigamy.

Oh, I agree with you that they should do that. But I don’t think they will. The same lack of courage that they have showed in fighting the Democrats will show in their inability to fight for themselves.

You’re welcome.

I think I had a draft of a post like this years ago, but (as with many drafts) I never found the right time to publish it, and it’s buried somewhere amidst all the other drafts.

I agree with you entirely, except for one thing (and it’s a big thing)—it’s already too late. Not that they couldn’t do what you say. They could. But if they do, a lot of people will reject them, even people who don’t like Trump.

The problem occurred a long time ago, and the problem is (for want of a better term) populism. Or pure democracy. Or whatever you call the idea that representatives are no good and the people should have a direct say without the middlemen/women.

That idea has been developing with greater and greater force since some time in the 1800s; Andrew Jackson was an early effect. It’s been building and building. The Founders were afraid of someone like Trump, and with good reason. Populist demagogue. That’s why they had the Senate appointed, only let property holders vote, etc.

But I still agree with you that the RNC should negate Trump. But it won’t matter; they’re in big big trouble anyway.

And the people who are angry at the GOP members of Congress who they feel betrayed them would have been angry no matter what. I really believe that. Some of the anger is justified, but the remedy is better people in government, not the big middle finger that Trump represents. There are plenty of decent people in Congress trying—albeit imperfectly—to do what the people want (Cruz was one, but they rejected him cause they didn’t like his nose or his voice or some such). I feel a lot of the anger is over-the-top, drummed up by talk show hosts and pundits full of themselves and the sounds of the own voices, drunk on their increasing ratings and the building ire of their fans.