Politics is a blood sport. You need to accept that reality. “Gentlemen” don’t often succeed in that arena, particularly when those on the other side are as vicious and unprincipled as they have repeatedly demonstrated that they are.
A perfect example of this was Ben Carson’s run.
Trump being what he is, good and bad, got him elected in 2016 against an opponent who greatly underestimated him.
Establishment Republicans see Trump’s election as an aberration of “the way things are supposed to be” caused by the people they allegedly represent throwing an irrational temper tantrum.
Trump was and still is a threat to the political establishment’s ongoing grift, and the judiciary is part of that since they have given themselves the power to reject out of hand any filing that they feel doesn’t meet their stringent standards, especially when they fear that a just decision might upend their safe, comfortable world.
McCain got to play candidate because it was his turn, and the same with Romney. Both played the game by your gentlemanly rules, and lost.
Trump did all the wrong things and broke many of your rules, and won.
And Ronald? 2nd term in a vicious field?