The Republican party isn't interested in a Trump alternative

Sorry Glenn Youngkin!

(Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin)

This, from the Washington Post over the weekend, was interesting:

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has repeatedly encouraged Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to run for president in 2024, according to two people familiar with entreaties made in at least two face-to-face meetings.

The previously unreported meetings took place months ago, but Murdoch’s ask has taken on fresh relevance as Youngkin continues to lay the groundwork for a potential last-minute White House bid and as Murdoch outlets hyped his presidential prospects this month with a mix of sober Wall Street Journal analysis and buzzy Page Six blurbs.

And you might be further intrigued by this item in Axios:

Several top GOP donors, panicked about their current choices, are holding back 2024 money with the long-shot dream of luring an alternative to former President Trump into the presidential race at the last minute.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp are getting secret overtures from establishment Republicans — and haven't ruled out running, top sources tell Axios.

This seems like a real thing! Trump alternatives are being discussed! Things are happening!

Here’s the problem: Aside from conversations among elites like Youngkin and Murdoch or major donors talking to each other, there is simply zero evidence that the Republican base — you know, the people who actually elect politicians — has any desire for an alternative to Donald Trump.