"A Reagan nomination and the crushing defeat likely to follow could signal the beginning of the end of our party as an effective force in American life." - Sen. Chuck Percy (R-IL) in 1975
"I'm not there right now [in supporting presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump]... [T]his is all pretty new for us." - House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) in 2016
Actually, this outcome shouldn't be. For months through voting and primary results, the People have spoken their displeasure to the Republican establishment most clearly. Yet, this highest-ranking elected Republican--supposedly at the nexus of the GOP--is surprised by unconventional Trump's ascendance? It's no surprise to anyone who actually works for a living--and doesn't breathe the rarefied air of the beltway bubble.