Trump is now more than Teflon, every 'woe' makes him stronger

THERE are just shy of 100 days until the Iowa Republican caucus on January 15, 2024, followed a few weeks later on February 6 by the Republican New Hampshire primary.

These are the only political thresholds that could defeat, or even disrupt, Donald Trump’s sweep to the Republican nomination — and from there just a few stumbles by Joe Biden to the presidency.

Yes, the Republicans have fielded hapless wannabe types, personal brand promoters rather than serious candidates. And counting on Florida governor Ron DeSantis to make it a competitive race was something of a Murdoch-media fantasy, the man way too far out on the no-charisma spectrum. But it just may be that conventional politics, that process of least worst choice, of organisational boots on the ground, and of money in the bank, simply has no chance against the Donald Trump show.

This past week has been quite a striking demonstration of why there is no room, hardly even breathing space, for anyone else in the Republican party. And why the most hated man in America, who, additionally, is facing four felony trials, with 91 separate indictments, holds the stage alone. And, indeed, why the collective will of the establishment and of virtually every power centre in the nation to take him down only seems to elevate him.