Although Bush was a concern, most Democrats seemed to fear Senator Marco Rubio. Not that their takes would have swayed many conservative voters, but it’s worth remembering that left-wing pundits played the same cynical game, which makes their histrionics today unconvincing. “Why I’m More Worried about Marco Rubio Than Donald Trump,” read a Vox headline. “Donald Trump Is Actually a Moderate Republican,” wrote Slate. “Why Cruz Is Worse Than Trump,” read a headline on a piece by Paul Krugman of the New York Times. “Why Liberals Should Support a Trump Republican Nomination” was New York magazine’s contribution to this genre.

The major media outlets, the Clinton campaign, and the liberal punditry all got what they wanted: Trump. The problem was they also got Clinton. The media did cover the FBI investigation into Clinton’s emails and server. “It was a dumb mistake,’ Clinton now says. “I think it was a dumber scandal, but it hurt.” This kind of attitude speaks to the entitlement she carried around with her.