I was reading Twitter this morning and saw this discussion between Ed Morrissey, one of the lead writers at Hot Air, and one of his Twitter followers who supported Rubio in the Primary, AG_Conservative, on the candidacy of Evan McMullin. It was interesting enough that I thought I’d post it.
I believe this excerpt from Ed on the ridiculousness of McMullin’s candidacy at this late stage is the background:
McMullin also has this in common with the #NeverTrump legion: no chance whatsoever to be taken seriously as a ballot alternative in November, if indeed his name appears on even one state ballot. McMullin hails from Utah, a state in which Republicans have been particularly hesitant to support Trump. If McMullin had any chance at all of denying Trump a win, it would be here. And he’ll have that opportunity … if he can rustle up 1,000 validated signatures from registered voters by next Monday’s filing deadline. That will require a ground organization with staff to coordinate the petition effort, especially in making sure that gatherers qualify to submit signatures, and the purchase of the voter database ($1,050) and people on hand to validate the signatures against it.
Now, multiply that by 20-plus states whose ballot deadlines have not already passed. More than half (26) are already closed, including Electoral College-rich states like Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Another seven states and Washington DC will have deadlines pass by the end of this week — including Ohio, California, Colorado, and New Hampshire. That leaves a grand total of 17 states still open next Monday, only five of which have ballot deadlines past the end of this month.
That would be a daunting task for someone with a sterling national profile and prodigious wealth to back an independent run, as well as the legal work necessary to challenge the earlier ballot deadlines. For Evan McMullin, the proposition of launching a presidential bid at this late date is silly to the point of satire. He may just be the only person willing to say yes to a ridiculous idea at this point.
Here’s where the discussion began:
@EdMorrissey Really is hilarious you lecture conservatives about not recognizing Evan has no chance, but then pretend Trump has a chance.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 9, 2016
@AG_Conservative Anyone with a major-party nomination has a chance. They're on all state ballots, have party org behind them.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
@EdMorrissey In the real world, someone running ~10 points back and without a competent campaign/turnout operation needs a miracle.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 9, 2016
@AG_Conservative In that real world, where would McMullin's candidacy rank?
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
@EdMorrissey Just a little bit below Trump's. Only you don't have to abandon decency, moral standards, and principles to support him.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 9, 2016
@AG_Conservative Vote for Libertarians, Greens, Constitution Party, or don't vote. But don't push McMullin & expect us to take it seriously.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
@EdMorrissey Or maybe Americans can vote for whoever they want regardless of whether you decide they don't pass your "serious" threshold?
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 9, 2016
@AG_Conservative Yeah. And guess what? I can also point out what a ridiculous stunt this is without your permission too. So?
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
@EdMorrissey Never said you couldn't. And I can counter that it's not nearly as ridiculous as voting for Trump.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 9, 2016
And it expands here:
@AG_Conservative @EdMorrissey What is your threshold that @Evan_McMullin must meet to be "serious"? 5% in a poll? Romney endorsement? What?
— Matthew Poster (@Matthew_Poster) August 9, 2016
@Matthew_Poster @EdMorrissey @Evan_McMullin 0. If he's on a ballot, he's someone worth voting for when compared to the other options.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 9, 2016
@AG_Conservative @EdMorrissey @Evan_McMullin And you Ed? What must you see before you will believe? Be specific. And no excuses afterwards.
— Matthew Poster (@Matthew_Poster) August 9, 2016
@Matthew_Poster A campaign that started before 26 states had ballot deadlines would be a good start. @AG_Conservative @Evan_McMullin
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
Even Bill Kristol got his say in:
Doth @EdMorrissey protest too much? Does he know McMullin could get conservative votes the other parties can't? https://t.co/pWl4f086RD
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 9, 2016
@BillKristol I'm only protesting an impotent protest.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
Just to be clear before we get too het up: @BillKristol, @TheRickWilson, & @AG_Conservative are friends. I just strongly disagree w/them.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) August 9, 2016
I tend to agree with Ed. It’s very hard to take McMullin serious at this point. It seems more to me about stopping Trump than it is about winning the presidency.
Now maybe that’s a noble cause to some of you. Let’s just be honest about it.