I feel sorry for the Never Trumpers and the marginalized/disconnected Republicans

[0rganism]

35. i recommend drinking until the feeling passes

Republicans, leaders and followers, built this version of Frankenstein's monster painstakingly, over the course of several decades, so it could destroy American democracy and grant their leaders great wealth in the process. now that it's fulfilling its ultimate mission, those who have benefited so much for so long from the previous bunch of Sith lords they snuck into the White House suddenly tweet "mea culpa" and try to jump into the Democratic party leadership.

by my reckoning they're welcome to join the Democratic party, contribute to our candidates and platform, and stand for election in our primaries. i don't want to hear any whining if they don't start winning right away when they have to play by the rules.

indeed, let's look at Richard Painter. from what i've seen & heard, his politics haven't changed a whole lot since he WORKED FOR W'S BAND OF MERRY WAR CRIMINALS. Democrats do not owe this guy a job just because he doesn't like what Trump did to his former business. let him work his way up, find authenticity in local party politics if he continues to pursue careers in that field. maybe in a few years, he'll win an election. he lost a primary race against an established contender, it's not like someone took his child away when he was crossing a border.

Mr. Painter's own actions contributed to his situation. if he wants to switch sides and be a Democrat, fine it's (still) a free country. if he wants to stay in the Republican party and try like hell to fix it, even better. if he wants to move out on his own and start a new party of honest conservatives, i wish him the best of luck. he has plenty of choices, and as always we're all free to trust him or not as we see fit. it's not like someone grabbed him by the pussy.

in all fairness, Democrats have contributed plenty to the situation too, and the number one thing we bring to the table is a willingness to immediately forgive and forget the crimes of Republicans, while we bend over backwards to compromise on every issue. we have lost plenty already, and we're about to lose a whole lot more. personally, the people i want leading the party will have long memories, firm stances on issues, and not be afraid of their own success.

these people will arise naturally with the Democratic party over time, since there is currently a healthy and mostly-unoccupied niche, ready and waiting.

since they became allergic to the politics their brand now peddles, and they're apparently unwilling to adapt their philosophies to the 21st century, your Republican friends will need to do political work the old fashioned way to rebuild a political party that represents the policies of the century they prefer while playing by the rules of the nation.