Unprecedented

Mitt Romney's speech today was quite something, I must say.  He even takes a shot at Trump's "lousy hat" after one of the most comprehensively scathing deconstructions of a candidate out there, and delivered by the prior nominee at that?  Whoa.  There is no walking back from this, and Josh Marshall is right that if Trump is the nominee, clips from this speech will be aired by Democratic supporters right through to November.  

Trump's response, of course, is pure Trump.  Referencing his Romney endorsement from 2012 (which is actually fascinating to watch, as Trump was clearly onto some of his current themes and style back thene), Trump responded: “I could’ve said, ‘Mitt drop to your knees’ and he would’ve dropped to his knees," Trump said. "He was begging. He was begging me."  Short-fingered vulgarian to the last.

But what's the point here?  How could Trump be beaten?  It seems too late to imagine him failing to at least prevent one of the others from getting a majority of delegates.  And if he arrives at the convention with a strong plurality and having won the majority of states, imagine the outrage that would explode from him if he's denied the nomination.

This is an intriguing idea though.  Essentially, Cruz and Rubio make a pact to work together, and agree that whoever attracts the most delegates will lead the ticket and the other will be picked for Vice-President.  Doubt it could work, since the Presidency is such a grander prize than No. 2 that there would still be far too much self-interest involved in the pursuit of delegates.  It is a sign, as with Mitt's speech, of how things have gotten so far out of hand for the Republicans.

I do love how nicely that speech was timed as the lead-in to the FoxNews debate in a few hours.  Will be watching that one tonight (with rum and popcorn!) and so surely further thoughts to follow...