Why Mitt quit

The fight for the future of the party is over.

(Utah Sen. Mitt Romney)

In March 2016, Mitt Romney — then a private citizen — gave a speech warning about the danger to the Republican party of nominating Donald Trump.

This was the bit that always stood out to me:

Mr. Trump is directing our anger for less than noble purposes. He creates scapegoats of Muslims and Mexican immigrants. He calls for the use of torture. He calls for killing the innocent children and family members of terrorists. He cheers assaults on protesters. He applauds the prospect of twisting the Constitution to limit First Amendment freedom of the press.

This is the very brand of anger that has led other nations into the abyss.

Here’s what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud.

Romney’s purpose was clear. The nomination was trending toward Trump. As the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, he felt it was his job to stand in the way — forcing Republicans to think long and hard about what they were doing and why.

He was frank in his assessment of what acquiescing to Trump as the nominee would mean for his party — and the country. “If we Republicans choose Donald Trump as our nominee, the prospects for a safe and prosperous future are greatly diminished,” Romney warned.