Maximizing Trump

"You arrogant ass. You've destroyed US!"
--Bonavia (The Hunt for Red October)

Of the many ironies springing from the 2016 presidential election, few are more glaring than the strategy of the Clinton campaign to push candidate Donald Trump during GOP primaries. Because the Clinton campaign viewed other Republican candidates as greater threats, it thought that 'maximizing' Trump would eliminate competition.

Several times during the campaign, I heard DNC pundits echo the thought that they would love to see Donald Trump as the GOP nominee because he could easily be beaten in the general election. Be careful for what you wish, I remember thinking.

Call it what you want. Underestimating your opponent. Recklessly pursuing a flawed 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' policy.

But by 'maximizing' Trump, the Clinton campaign helped destroy itself.