The Feasibility of Nominating Mitt Romney as a Democratic Candidate to Defeat Trump in 2024

With the recent suggestion by Aaron Sorkin, the creator of the television series 'The West Wing', to nominate Mitt Romney as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential candidate came as a surprise to many. However, it also sparked a heated debate within the political sphere. Let’s explore the feasibility of this proposition and the implications it might have on the upcoming election.

The Republican Response

The Republican Party has been quick to dismiss the idea, viewing it as a ridiculous and a fantasy. According to one source, the party is not open to such a nomination, especially after a potential Harris presidency, which is not on their agenda. This stance reflects the hardline approach from the GOP against any form of cooperation with the Democrats.

Challenges and Concerns

The idea of nominating Romney has also faced several challenges and concerns. Here are a few key points to consider:

Relevance of Critics' Arguments

Some argue that the notion of using Romney is not grounded in reality. They contend that it’s a weird fantasy that a few Democrats with Tax Dodgers Syndrome (TDS) might vote for him. Furthermore, it raises the question of how minorities would be served by voting for a Mormon candidate, especially when considering the diverse ethnic and religious makeup of the country.

Turnout Among Base Voters

Another significant obstacle is the potential impact on the Democratic base. Nomoting a Republican, even a so-called "polite" one, could result in a drop in turnout among the party’s base. There’s a risk that asking disenchanted Republicans to support Romney will come at the cost of alienating a segment of the left. This could lead to a suppressed turnout from the left and a more convincing re-election for Trump.

Supreme Court Vacancies

The idea of handing over the nomination to Romney also raises concerns about Supreme Court vacancies. If Romney were to be nominated, he would likely fill vacancies on the Supreme Court, which could have long-term implications for the country's judiciary. This could mean a more conservative Supreme Court that might interfere with a potential Trump prosecution.

Feasibility from a Strategic Perspective

Despite the skepticism, some argue that this could be a strategic move. Here are a few points to consider:

Strategic Alienation of Political Disengaged Voters

As the Democratic Party seeks to engage with politically disengaged voters who might stay home if they don’t see a compelling reason to vote, a Romney ticket could serve as a unifying force. These voters are primarily concerned with blocking Trump, and a Romney ticket could be a viable option to get them to the polls.

Potential Running Mate

Another argument is that while Romney himself might not excite the base, a potential running mate who could engage with these voters might help to mitigate some of these concerns. This ticket could also be a nice middle ground that neither alienates conservatives nor alienates hard-core Democrats.

Conservative Appeal

Since Romney is perceived as closer to conservative values than Trump, he could potentially appeal to disaffected conservatives and right-leaning independents who are weary of four more years of Trump. This could also attract a portion of the swing voters who, in 2016, believed in Trump’s promises but now feel deceived.

Conclusion

While the idea of nominating Mitt Romney seems really stupid and not quite as bad as some alternatives, it could be a strategic move to challenge Trump in 2024. The key will be how the Democrats can balance their base and bring in undecided voters without alienating anyone. As the political landscape evolves, such a nomination may not be as far-fetched as it initially appears.