Ryan’s in a bit of a tight spot these days. He’s got a party that’s not the same GOP that he no doubt enthusiastically joined when he first became old enough to vote. It’s been taken over by bigots and haters — and not the kind who hide it. No, these are bigots and haters who take immense pride in these “deplorable traits”, and they like to fly their ignorance flags high.

And the problem with them is that they’re kicking everybody who isn’t as far right as they are out of the tent. Not a good way to woo independents and grow the party.

So Ryan can’t afford to diss the Trump fans. He needs them. After all, they have enough power within the party that they got their candidate nominated. Even though that candidate is in no way qualified for the Presidency. And is managing to alienate everyone that the GOP needs to reach out to. In ways that range from subtle to downright vulgar.

So Ryan has a difficult job. He has to bring the party together while it’s collapsing. He has to find ways to grow the party and increase its appeal while the country is repulsed by their standard-bearer. I doubt he’ll succeed. But I’m seriously wondering how deep and how spectacular failure must be before the establishment Republicans realize they need to rebuild their party — or just leave it for the bigots to gnaw on the carcass, and start a new party for the non-Trump faithful?