Why do they keep saying "Trump could still lose"?

Ed. here. Walt is a little tired and emotional after the exertions of yesterday. We had a long conversation around midnight. It was difficult to hear him above the cheering, clinking of glasses and other celebratory noises, but I have transcribed the snatches of rant that I could understand.

What is it with the [expletive deleted] lamestream press anyway? Those [orifices] just can't bring themselves to admit that millions of Americans want Trump! I'm listening to a couple of the bastards now running their mouths about how he could still lose! Can you imagine? He's got something like 89 of 95 New York delegates in today's bag and the bastards are still hoping for a brokered convention! I think one of the analysts is gonna get down on his knees and start praying. On... no... liberals don't pray in public...

A brokered convention.... What makes them think Trump couldn't win one of those? Hey, he's the king of the [expletive deleted] deal, isn't he? All he has to do is get somebody mainstream to join him on the ticket, and Cruz is done like dinner! Did you hear what Ryan said a couple of days ago? He's definitely not gonna throw his hat in the ring... for President! And he won't accept a draft. They all say that. But he never said he'd turn down being Veep, did he! Now that would be a great ticket, the classic bad cop good cop tag team. I love it!

Watching the Democrats' results now. Looks like Hillary has swept the ghettos. Sanders always was the darling of the white liberal elites. Not to mention the Jews who run the New York and Washington media, the [expletive deleted] "Trump could still lose" crowd. So it looks like voters are gonna get a clear choice between the Donald's New York values and Hellery's New York values. Hell's Kitchen or Park Avenue. Staten Island or the Bronx. What a hoot.

And you listen to me. Don't listen to those other guys. If that's the choice in November -- Trump or Clinton -- it's not even gonna be close. [Two seconds inaudible here due to crash of crockery or something] can't lose! I'm ready to bet now. Call [name deleted for reasons of privacy] the Barber and see what odds you can get. Hello? Did you get all that down? I think I'm gonna [Six seconds inaudible; line goes dead.]

A funny thing happened on the way to the convention

Walt apologizes sincerely for being MIA for the last three days. The idea was to take a leisurely drive in a southerly direction, arriving in Florida in time for the Republican convention. It is going to be in Florida, right? Anyhow, about 100 miles east of Fort Mudge, Walt's VW Yenta broke down, leaving me sitting on a pile of rocks, much as shown here [only with a hat. Ed.]

What was I thinking? I was wondering why on earth I would go to the Republican convention. I'm not a delegate. I'm not even a card-carrying Republican. Not even regiestered! So the only reason for going would be to report on the thrills and excitement of the contest for the GOP nomination.

Just one problem with that. There won't be any thrills and excitement at all. The loudest sounds to be heard will be the chirping of the crickets. Why? Because everything has already been decided. The inevitable Mitten Romney [Ed., please check Romney's full name. Walt] had the nomination locked up in the spring. He might have generated some buzz by keeping mum on his choice of running-mate until next week, but after his foreign tour de farce something positive was needed so they let the Ryan out of the bag early.

Result? The only frisson of uncertainty or controvery this week was generated by a hitherto-obscure congressman's brain fart on the subject of abortion. Will Todd Akin stand down? Can Romney and Ryan disown him without compromising their pro-life credentials... such as they are? Who knows? Who cares?

What we're going to see in Florida -- the dozen of us who may tune in -- is yet another example of the blanding of America. Or the Holiday Inn Syndrome, if you will. There are no surprises in American life any more. Nothing is left to chance. Everything is carefully controlled, stage-managed to a fare-thee-well, even in the previously unpredictable world of politics. Everything has been decided by Those Who Know Best, and what the people think no longer matters.

Contrast this year's affaire d'ennui with the GOP convention of 1880 that chose James A. Garfield over three other earnest contenders including U.S. Grant. Garfield was only at the convention to speak for the nomination of someone else, but his speech was so good -- and the race so hopelessly deadlocked -- that the delegates chose him as a compromise candidate.

You can read about the convetion, and about Garfield's subsequent assassination, in Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine & the Murder of a President, by Candice Millard. Walt reviewed the book in March and awarded it 17 stars. No one has yet figured out why 17, but obviously it's an excellent rating. Read the book and weep for the days when American politics was truly exciting.