Losing in Advance

How Republicans fight

IT was said of the Habsburgs that they always fought in the last ditch—never in the first. And the same gibe might be directed at the Republican party. By the time a battle has reached the last ditch, of course, it is already lost. Most battles are decided, indeed, before even the first shot is fired. The winning general has assembled larger forces, accumulated more supplies, occupied the higher ground, and cut off his enemy’s retreat. The battle itself is almost a formality and, in the 18th century, experienced commanders who saw the hopelessness of their situation would often withdraw or surrender rather than get their men killed in a futile cause.

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Election

Presidential Election

How Republicans fight

IT was said of the Habsburgs that they always fought in the last ditch—never in the first. And the same gibe might be directed at the Republican party. By the time a battle has reached the last ditch, of course, it is already lost. Most battles are decided, indeed, before even the first shot is fired. The winning general has assembled larger forces, accumulated more supplies, occupied the higher ground, and cut off his enemy’s retreat. The battle itself is almost a formality and, in the 18th century, experienced commanders who saw the hopelessness of their situation would often withdraw or surrender rather than get their men killed in a futile cause.