Why Clinton Republicans matter - By E.J. Dionne Jr.

[DonViejo]

By E.J. Dionne Jr. Opinion writer

Not since Barry Goldwater’s 1964 campaign has there been such widespread public disavowal by Republicans of their party’s nominee. The Hillary Clinton Republicans will be one of the most important legacies of the 2016 campaigns.

The question is whether they will constitute the forward end of a political realignment, or just a one-time reaction to the unsuitability of Donald Trump for the presidency. Reasons for skepticism about long-term change are rooted in the differences between today’s polarized politics and the more tempered partisanship surrounding the big-bang elections of 1964 and 1980.

In 1964, there was a lively liberal wing of the Republican Party. GOP figures such as Jacob Javits, Clifford Case, Edward Brooke and John Lindsay had far more in common philosophically with Lyndon B. Johnson than they did with Goldwater.

Thus, 1964 was genuinely realigning, setting off the flight of conservative white Southerners from the Democratic Party but also a defection of liberals from the Republican Party. Many (including Lindsay, Javits and Case) were pushed aside in primaries.

-snip-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-clinton-republicans-matter/2016/08/28/5949cb00-6b9d-11e6-ba32-5a4bf5aad4fa_story.html?utm_term=.7138f9710a64&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

[OnDoutside]

1. This is the crucial bit in the article

Many Republicans are praying the Trump episode will be an interlude and that they will be able to resume control of their party after it ends.

If this is anyway close, there will be war within the GOP, for control.

[Exilednight]

2. This election cycle is not the one that matters.

It's the next one.

These Republicans who are voting for her now will turn on her the day after the election is over. When you chum for sharks, you shouldn't jump in the water.