Desperate GOP trots out mannequin Mitt Romney

Few things are as unattractive as desperation and cluelessness. In one fell swoop, the Republican establishment has managed to demonstrate both.

I am not inclined to defend Donald Trump, and he obviously does not need it anyway. In large numbers, Americans have gone to the voting booths or spent hours caucusing for him. Nothing seems to cause his supporters to waver -- not providing scant details, changing positions or even referring to his anatomy on the presidential debate stage. Perhaps he was right when he said, "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters." That was hyperbole, of course; however, the point is well taken.

The presidential candidacy considered a joke upon its June announcement has become the passion of a populace fed up with politics-as-usual, and has simultaneously become a thorn in the side of a political establishment that has proven itself to be feckless and tone deaf.

Much talk has emerged of a brokered or contested convention, possible back room deals and anything to stop what looks increasingly to be a Trump nomination coronation. This scares the hades out of politicians and particularly D.C. elitists -- even Sen. Marco Rubio, who throughout his campaign has hailed himself as the smartest man in the room. This self-pronouncement has been insufficient; for all his fast talk, supposed superior knowledge and declared debate wins, he is not winning where it counts: in election results.

Rubio has now descended from his above-the-fray pedestal to become the attack dog, promising Americans he will not "let" Donald Trump win the Republican nomination and destroy the conservative movement. To that end, he has begun criticizing Trump's spray tan, spelling and small hands, suggesting it indicates a deficiency elsewhere. In other words, he's crawled into the gutter. Both he and Trump have displayed behavior unbecoming of presidential candidates. The thing is when Trump goes there, he's just being Trump. It doesn't hurt him, and may actually further endear him to those who are fed up with political correctness. When Rubio goes there, however, it looks unnatural and forced -- a departure from who he is -- and thus fake. And since he already looks 12 years old standing alongside the other candidates, it appears painfully juvenile.

Rubio's desperation is unattractive enough. But last week, desperation took an uglier turn. The GOP establishment removed Mitt Romney -- remember him? -- from his mannequin stand, dusted him off and sent him out to tell everyone why they're wrong to support Trump. How could anyone be so clueless as to think people will be swayed by what Romney says? Romney suggested Trump has not yet released his taxes because he's hiding things. Flashback to 2012 when Sen. Harry Reid alleged Romney had not paid taxes in 10 years. He later admitted he pulled that out of thin air: "He didn't win, did he?" he asked. So now, Romney is doing to Trump what Reid did to him.

In his anti-Trump speech, Romney criticized Trump for changing positions. He has. But coming from Romney, it loses impact. Remember, Romney was the candidate who was nicknamed Etch-a-Sketch because of his own position changes. Nonetheless, the establishment rolls him out to make a case against Trump. You can't make this stuff up.

This is the same Romney who ran for president and lost -- twice. This is the Romney people found so plastic, mannequinlike and uninspiring, they stayed home on Election Day rather than vote for him. This is the Romney busted on video disparaging the "47 percent." And this is the Romney who, like the establishment who foisted him on us in 2012, just doesn't get that Americans are not taking orders anymore.

Establishment Republicans are largely responsible for Trump's rise. They have only themselves to blame. It is precisely people like Romney, who dis the will of the people, think they know better than the rest of us, go to D.C. and ignore their constituents' wishes and epitomize the permanent political class who have created this political enigma.

Here's the deal: If wheeling-and-dealing takes place to take down Trump -- as many expect -- it will backfire and result in the takedown of the Republican Party. Whether one likes Trump or not, whether or not one deems him presidential, the will of the people must be respected. I get it. Many get it. But the establishment still does not get it. Its past behavior has resulted in the atrophy of the GOP. And their desperate, clueless attempts to flex their elitist muscles now to preserve what they've made of the party will only result in its demise.

Adrienne Ross is an editor, writer, public speaker, online radio show host, former teacher and coach, Southeast Missourian editorial board member, and owner of Adrienne Ross Communications. Reach her at aross@semissourian.com.