Which party will emerge from its gathering storm?

By Michael Barone, Michael Barone

Published December 20, 2015

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Each of our two (by world standards) ancient political parties seems to be facing a gathering storm.

Part of the gathering storm for Republicans is the candidacy of, and the persistent lead in most primary polls for, Donald Trump. He is given to outlandish proposals and lacks the temperamental ballast and government experience general election voters usually seek in a president.

As a confident (overconfident?) autodidact, he gains no benefit from the serious policy thinking of many congressional Republicans and conservative think tanks. Candidates who take them seriously are, for the moment anyway, overshadowed.