Trumpism was a chemical reaction. You have your run of the mill Pubs (the Cheneys, Bushes, McCains, Romneys, etc.). Add to that a large portion of rust belters [the where is more important than the who or how many) that used to vote Dems who got passed over by Dem policies, and enter this character who promised to restore their jobs and listen to their grievances. The Pubs biggest problem is that, BOOM, the experiment worked and in so doing took down the twice-inevitable candidate that the media anointed. It is fool's gold because you chase away the old guard in the process. It's like the beginning gambler who wins his or her first time out. If the 2022 Republican party chases that old win, look out. Fittingly in this example, the casino will win the end. The salvage job begins with the old guard lowering themselves (in their own mind) to give Trump's appeal to the Trump base without the poisonous side effects. If they can crack the Trump message ("We actually care and we don't hate you like the Democrats do") without the Trump packaging, they've got a chance. If not, they'll be in the minority for a generation (or until the Dems f it up worse; as usual).
