The Koch network is now backing Nikki Haley. The lawsuit to get Trump kicked off the Colorado ballot was

[LaMouffette]

brought by six Republicans and "unaffiliated Colorado voters by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington." ([link:https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/press-releases/colorado-supreme-court-bars-trump-from-ballot/|)

Could it be that the Repubes have finally realized that Donald Trump is toxic to the Repube Party and will likely not only NOT beat Joe Biden in 2024, but may very well be decked out in a cute orange jumpsuit for his next mug shot?

Has the wealthy Repub donor class decided to kick Trump to the curb and get behind Nikki Haley, a kinder, gentler, more electable fascist?

I think that if the Supreme Court does not overturn Colorado's ruling, then that will show that the Repubes' love affair with Trump is over. Best of all—for the Repube Party—the MAGA Republicans in Congress can put on a dramatic show of outrage over Trump being treated so horribly, so unfairly, and still appeal to the genuinely outraged Trump-humping voters, while secretly rejoicing that the Vulgar Orange One has been dispatched without them having to lift a finger.

[Ocelot II]

1. The 14th Amendment case might be an anti-Trump off-ramp for the GOPers in Congress.

A lot of them probably do want to get rid him but are afraid to say so; and this could be a way of having that happen without pissing off the base and risking getting primaried. They can say, "Hey, I was all for him but the Supreme Court is keeping him off the ballot, so what can I do?" Maybe Nikki Haley would be harder to beat in the general, but although she's awful she's survivable in a way TFG might not be.

[LaMouffette]

4. Exactly! They will be delighted to dump Trump while still being able to swear loyalty to him to get the MAGA votes.

All of the Repubes value self-preservation above all else. The wealthy donor class values Republican control of the White House and Congress and the judiciary above all else, and they do not see Trump as electable. And Wall Street values stability over chaos. It could well be that Trump is now their right eye that offends them and they are going to pluck him out.

[Quixote1818]

10. You make really great points! I think this is a REAL possibility. Reminds me of the Wizard of Oz scene

after Dorothy kills the witch with water. You expect her army to go crazy but instead they praise Dorothy!

[chowder66]

2. They are probably more afraid he will take their businesses from them.

[Skittles]

3. repukes don't care about America

they'll get behind anyone they think can win and enact their fascist agenda

[LaMouffette]

5. Yup. The scary thing is, they are learning from their mistakes, which is demonstrated by their now supporting

Nikki Haley, who shares their corrupt values but comes off as a nice, intelligent, reasonable person.

[Hugin]

6. The way the MAGAt mindset works...

Which the Kochs seem to be numb.

Is that, should “Ladder Puller” Haley pull ahead of Trump due to him being stripped off of ballots. She would instantly be seen as part of the conspiracy against Trump and be even wetter powder with the lowbrow base.

In other words, I am not too worried about this eventuality.

[LaMouffette]

7. Good point. I tell you, I am just so weary of this nightmare. What is it going to take to bring some kind of normalcy

back to politics?

[Hugin]

8. You mean like having quality candidates who campaign on relevant issues?

You got me there! I have no clue...

[LaMouffette]

14. That's exactly what I mean. Now it has all boiled down to fear-mongering and lie-spreading on the part of the GOP.

[Quixote1818]

11. That's a good point that they probably didn't think of. nt

[Quixote1818]

9. I actually think this is really positive. If the behind the scenes money people start calling the shots

they can have Trump decapitated in a mataphorical way. These are some powerful people and MONEY talks!!!!

[Bucky]

12. Nikki Haley would be far tougher to beat than Donald Trump

Trump remains his own horse enemy. He's got a cult of lunatics backing him up, but I think his ceiling as a national candidate is about 240 electoral college votes.

[tavernier]

13. So would Clarence vote to kick trump off the ballot

if someone gave him more money to do it? We do know that he can easily be bought so it’s not out of the question.