Best to think of Trump as the control group in a social science experiment. We can argue about the importance of having a decent, competent President, but the mix of good and bad in each sample leaves us with no counterfactual for comparison. Trump is that counterfactual, a President with absolutely NO presidential virtues. How often do we get a chance to see what that means in operational terms? We finally have an answer to "What have you got to lose?"

Mr. Staton is exactly right that TDS is projection by supporters of the Great Projectionist. I will not cop to being "deranged" by my fear of Trump, but, as someone who looks forward to being a conservative again, my conduct has certainly been affected by him.