Tucker Carlson was clearer than he’s been about his views. 

Mr. Carlson is watched daily by 3 million deeply conservative families and individuals. He’s part of a three-hour nightly hammering of popular conservative talk shows. Roughly 82% of those viewers have been supportive of President Trump; the rest endure Trumpism respectfully, though with occasional strained politeness and disgust. Viewers include most of the decision makers and strategists of the party. Carlson longs for his isolationalist/nationalist, ruralhero, Right-Libertarian America, along with about 4% of the rest of conservatives. They love what Trump was trying to do, want even more, and they’re irritated about poor execution.

They’re tolerated because they don’t actively oppose Trump, a rare group that I’d guess at under 1% of conservatives. Never and Ever Trump may agree to keep him there, because he takes exactly zero time each show to castigate Mr. Trump for anything serious. In fact, he goes out of his way to beg the world to listen to his President, so that he is viewed as a great supporter of the President. Dances like this between sides of the party will become a bit strained, the music a little frenetic.

Two zeppelins bump oddly during a fuel transfer. We see a puff of smoke. They start to spin, connected. Most of us watching cheer, a bit unbelieving. Some watch and rage, or clutch at their children or a lover, hoping one or the other doesn’t burn and fall, that at least one is left.