“But what I don’t get is the currently popular fad of self-styled conservative intellectuals declaring that they will never vote for Trump, even if he is the nominee, and even if it means Hillary Clinton becomes president.”
I, as a conservative, have many times held my nose while voting for the lesser of 2 evils. Yes, “lesser evil” is still evil, but it means less of a mess for someone decent to clean up later.
In the present case, Hillary as POTUS leaves me wondering if this country will literally even survive 4 or 8 years more. The Norks and Iranians regularly practice launching EMP attacks (no, Virginia, neither of them is so stupid or so incompetent at building rockets that all fail between 50 and 100 miles of altitude. They are rehearsing an EMP attack), and one of those will destroy this country in a matter of a few seconds...although the carnage, starvation and disease will take a few months to finish the job. I have no such worries with Trump - and while his policies aren’t all mine, he’ll actually surprise most people and do a pretty good job.
Yes, vote Trump (or whomever the nominee is for the Pubbies). But voting Trump NOW means a stake in the heart of the GOPe.
If Trump doesn't win because large groups of folks didn't vote.....then, there goes SCOTUS! - - And we all might as well get 'measured' for our boxes!!
I have already done my early voting, and voted for Cruz. But if Trump is the nominee, I will support Trump 100%. If a GOPe candidate wins the nomination, I will once again vote against the Donks, but likely the Donks will win as they have each time when running against a GOPe. Unless of course Hillary completely implodes. Otherwise I do not think this nation can survive another 4 years of Donks.