WASHINGTON ¨C As Republicans and Democrats go through the long process of selecting a nominee for next year¡¯s presidential election, both parties face the same question. Will the anti-establishment ¡ª even anti-political ¡ª mood now dominating the contest last?
For once, Labor Day (the first Monday in September) was not the presidential race¡¯s demarcation point: The overall themes had already been set. Revulsion at government and traditional politicians hit the presidential contest like a tornado in the summer, flattening the campaigns of some who were once seen as serious contenders.
Among Republicans this sentiment is, of course, no surprise, given their party¡¯s steady rightward drift and consistent antipathy toward President Barack Obama. But it suited a wealthy, noisy braggart who barreled into the race attacking conventional politicians as ¡°stupid¡± and insisting that he alone could get things done.
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