All our predictions of Trump’s imminent collapse have come to naught. It really seems that he is headed for the nomination, partly because of the weakness of his opposition, but mostly because he has tapped into something deep and ugly in American society: the prejudice, arrogance, and prideful ignorance that have always pervaded American culture.

As a Republican activist many years ago, I was well aware that this dark under-layer existed, but I believed that things like William F. Buckley’s rhetorical shell game could keep it from bursting out into the public arena. For their part, long time liberals also understood it was there but believed that decades of idealistic activism had reduced it to impotence. Now, for various reasons, it has burst forth.

I still don’t think Trump can win the general, but even this is possible given the right combination of unforeseen events. In the meantime it will be a dirty, raucous, and possibly violent campaign. Our country’s reputation will take a huge black eye in the rest of the world and its standing may be fatally reduced.