Arnold Steinberg is clearly unimpressed with National Review standing athwart history, yelling stop to Donald Trump’s ascendancy to the Republican nomination and possibly the White House.

For Steinberg to argue that National Review should roll over and play dead because of its zip code is nonsense. Donald Trump represents the biggest existential threat to conservatism since William F. Buckley rid the movement of the John Birch Society, an organization he characterized as “far removed from common sense”. Donald Trump is even further removed from common sense. But owing to his wealth and celebrity, Trump receives a hearing he would not otherwise have. Trump represents not only an existential threat to the Republican Party and conservatism, but to the Constitution and our Republic. If that is insufficient grounds to warrant National Review from taking a stand then what is?

Yes, it is very possible that National Review’s efforts against Trump might come to nothing and might even strengthen him. But better to have said something and lost than not to have taken a stand at all. Some things are worth fighting for even if the outcome doesn’t result in triumph.

In triumph or disaster, I say three cheers to National Review.