The grip Trump has on the Republican Party -- in defeat! -- really is astounding.

Presidential campaign losers typically are shunted. They aren't allowed to be party bosses or standard bearers.

Yes Trump is different because of the fervency of his base. But consider...

...Trump lost the popular vote twice. He barely eked out an Electoral College win the 1st time. The 2nd time, he held on to his base, but lost the swing.

While in office he delivered very little in policy, nothing that an ordinary Republican president couldn't or wouldn't do...

...If Trump ran again in 2024, could he win? Sure it's in the realm of possibility. But there's little reason to believe such a tainted figure provides the *best* chance for Republicans of regaining White House...

...Maybe Republicans just want to stay on his good side so he'll help the party going forward. But when does Trump do anything for somebody else? Anything he does would be to serve him and family first, not the long-term interest of the Republican Party...

...So if Republicans want their party to be more than cult of personality, now would be the time to do something about it. Now would be the time to band together and kick Trump to the curb...

...Of course, standing up to Trump comes with risk. Trump could still run again, and encourage primary challengers along the way.

But the alternative is, for years to come, to live under the thumb of a madman who hasn't significantly delivered electorally or substantively.