There's a phenomenon called "runaway selection." It usually happens in the context of sexual selection - if a trait in one sex is highly attractive to members of the other sex, that trait will evolve rapidly and with increasing prominence. It can get to the point that the trait might even be mildly deleterious to the organism bearing it, but as long as that individual survives long enough to breed, it'll keep going.
There are, however, limits. Being mildly deleterious is one thing; being fatal is another.
A good example is the peacock. If the tail feathers are cut short, the bird flies better, runs better, and is better able to hide from predators. But peahens really like peacocks with big, flashy tail feathers that can be displayed as a fan during mating season - so although a peacock with short tail feathers might be better able to survive, it's unlikely to mate.
I've wondered for years if the Republican Party will ever hit that tipping point. They might approaching the point at which they can't win a primary election without the MAGA base, but they can't win the general election with it.
I've been disappointed before. 2024 is proof enough of that. But this feels different. I don't think MAGA will truly dissipate until Old Colostomy moves on to the next plane of existence, but the non-MAGA support they enjoyed in 2024 (and in 2016) seems to be drying up.
Will this lead to a fundamental change in the Republican Party? Will they back away from some of their crazier policy positions? I don't know. This may have less to do with the policy positions favored by MAGA voters and more with the obvious incompetence of the present administration. Some of those who want Orange Julius Caesar out of office aren't necessarily committed Democrats or progressives.
But I really do think we're seeing a tipping point of some sort.
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