A funny thing happened on the way to watching (yet another) GOP debate last Saturday night… I felt bad for Trump. Pity, even. I know, I know, it’s crazy. I mean, how could anyone- particularly one opposed to his benighted brand of politics- feel anything resembling empathy for a wealthy, bigoted, sexist, well, asshole. For two hours in South Carolina, the bully became the bullied. Ted and Jeb lobbed their usual pot shots at the billionaire, which he previously parried with arrogant diffidence. But on this night, Trump did the unthinkable in a state known for secession, Strom Thurmond, and confederate flags: he blamed W. for 9-11. Thunderous boos soaked the arena. Rubio defended Jeb’s brother, blaming (naturally) Clinton for the tragedy. Cruz accused Trump of being a liberal. Like a possum trapped in a cage, a red- er, orange- faced Trump attacked, repeating the refrain that W. did not keep us safe. Another hailstorm of jeers. You could almost hear his poll numbers plunge. And, as they undoubtedly did,  my sympathy skyrocketed. As Trump insisted, the crowd was packed with Rubio and Bush supporters. I’ve always had an affinity for underdogs and, at least for those two hours, I, much like the man Rubio credited for the Twin Towers collapsing, felt Trump’s pain.

Perhaps my sympathy stems from the fact that I agree with Trump on this point. While I don’t directly blame W. for 9-11, it did happen on his watch. And there were definitive CIA warnings beforehand. Maybe it’s because I find the other candidates detestable, a lesser evil kind of thing. After all, the Donald does have one or two laudable viewpoints, namely his excoriation of Super Pac’s and their beneficiaries. Possibly it’s due to the entertainment factor. Let’s face it, the race is infinitely more interesting with Trump center stage. Or perhaps it’s because I believe he’ll be the most beatable nominee in the general election (yes, even if it’s Bernie). Whatever the reason, I felt something that night I never would have believed possible: pity for a wealthy, bigoted, sexist asshole.