As election year is officially under way,here’s what you need to know about the Republican presidential contendersIf the chaotic 2016 election has a theme yet, it is the exasperated howl of middle American anguish. Anti-establishment politicians have so far dominated every stage of the Republican primary (and fared surprisingly well in the Democratic race too) as polls suggest a majority of American voters simply enact not trust traditional politicians to tackle perceived economic and physical insecurity.
For genuine existential anxiety, and you have to spend time with what is left of the Republican establishment. Party leaders have watched dumbfounded as all the accepted rules of contemporary politics are ripped up before their eyes. Jeb Bush’s shock-and-awe strategy of raising $100m in big donations to blow rivals out of the race before it began has instead blown up in his face. The candidate with the strongest name recognition and record of official endorsements has become a near laughingstock in the polls.
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Source: theguardian.com