Midsummer Report On The GOP Field (Without You-Know-Who)

Oh, hello, everyone. My, my -- it seems like only last week that we were all debating whether some candidates belong in the Entertainment section. And then it seemed like only a day later, some candidates (who belong in the Entertainment section) were opening their mouths and saying the sorts of things that finally alienated the rest of their erstwhile primary colleagues.

Truly, is this not entertaining? It’s been at least as fun (and as drug-soaked) as Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” complete with rude mechanicals pointing and laughing at the guy with the head of an ass.

But now that we no longer need to countenance the idea that a certain “short-fingered vulgarian” is going to end up the nominee, where does this leave the rest of field? Who’s spent their summer productively? Which GOP apprentice might benefit from all the angry energy that’s been bottled up? Who among last month’s long shots have positioned themselves for a run at the top tier? The GOP’s midsummer standings (now that you-know-who is headed, inevitably, for the exit) are what we’ll sort out on this week’s First To Last.

Candidate Photos: Getty, Associated Press