Former President Donald Trump has given every indication he is running for president again short of formally announcing it, and the party is lining up dutifully behind him. While this comes as no surprise — Trump turned out new voters and is a fundraising machine — he also lost the last election, both in the electoral college and by roughly seven million popular votes.

I’m old enough to remember that the GOP didn’t line up behind Mitt Romney ahead of 2016 after his 2012 presidential loss or behind John McCain in 2012 following his 2008 loss. There has always been a sense among Republicans that nothing is given; you have to earn it. Losing isn’t earning it.