At first glance, it might seem odd that a figure so exuberantly confident as Trump is raising the specter of his own impeachment. But some of his most fervent backers insist that it makes perfect electoral sense.

“The greatest driver in politics is the fear of a loss,” said Andy Surabian, a former special assistant to the president and deputy White House strategist. “And there is no bigger potential loss for Republican voters to be fearful of than the loss of Trump as president. That’s what a Democrat-controlled House could bring about through impeachment.”

Another GOP operative added, ‘The old campaign hands all agree that the GOP must put Trump ‘on the ballot.’ But Establishment Republicans are in full panic.”

The reasons for their anxiety are clear enough.