In the long run, I really think the GOP will be better off that McCain did not get elected, just as the election of Clinton helped the GOP (but then, we turned around and elected another Bush, who destroyed the party just as his old man did).
To many of us, it never occurred that McCain could win or that he wanted to win.
Although I will not split hairs on that statement, I suggest that students of history re-read closely the waning days of the Weimer Republic in Germany, circa 1933; and examine closely the subtleties of Hitler's rise to power — and the incremental successes of National Socialism; endorsed and supported by an exhausted German populace.
In the period following the 1933 installation of Hitler as Chencellor, the internal dissent was essentially fragmented — but dealt with by the political leadership with increasing brutality and effectiveness.
And, please remember that the timespan between the advent of National Socialism in 1933 Germany to Chamberlain’s “Munich” capitulation was well short of two U.S. Presidential terms.
The rest is history — with the utter destruction of the Fatherland and the deaths of 10 million humans.
Not to worry. Nothing like that could ever happen to the United States of America.
Right !!! And, I just happen to have a bridge to sell you.
Rant over. /dk/coro