How Quickly The Horse Race Can Change

Most people do not follow the election horse race on a day-by-day basis and, really, why should they bother. But it is pretty interesting how attitudes can change virtually 180 degrees in a very short time when you’re in the Washington/media bubble.  At the beginning of the week, everyone was worried about a split in the Democratic party between the Bernie and Hillary camps.  It was quite possible that Sanders might win California, leaving Hillary limping into the convention where Sanders would still push his case for being the nominee. Meanwhile, Trump would continue consolidating the Republicans around his candidacy, as Paul Ryan’s (ill-timed, as it turned out) endorsement showed.

Well, it’s only a few days later. Hillary won California resoundingly and is on her way to unifying Democratic support with endorsements from Obama and Warren as well as positive words from Sanders. And Trump, well, after a disastrous week attacking Judge Curiel, Trump is now hearing rumblings about the party establishment trying to find some way, any way, to deny him the nomination at the convention. Like Atrios, I have my doubts about Trump’s real desire to be President. But it’s clearly not a good sign for the Republican party that members are pretty openly discussing a convention coup at this late date.  How quickly things can change.