The Hill really can publish some outright garbage from time to time. Take this column from former White House and Pentagon official Douglas MacKinnon, for example. Here he gives a perfect display of projection, in the sense of falsely attributing to others what you yourself are inclined to think or feel.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the [Democrats] reaction might be if Republican power brokers got together behind closed doors, decided they didn’t like the polling trend of former President Donald Trump; convinced him to drop out of the race; elevated Sen. JD Vance to the top spot; and brought in former Gov. Nikki Haley as his running mate? I can hear the screams now that it would be “illegal,” “unconstitutional” and “un-American.”

Actually, literally no one on the left would argue that unless it had some legal merit, like the move was made too late to satisfy state filing deadlines. If Trump were to drop out tomorrow, there would be worldwide relief and rejoicing. But even if the world were not desperate to be rid of Trump, there is nothing illegal about a candidate dropping out and being replaced by someone else, and the left wouldn’t argue otherwise.

Just because Republicans cry about the unfairness of President Joe Biden dropping out in favor of Kamala Harris doesn’t make it unfair. And it especially doesn’t make it illegal, unconstitutional or un-American. What it is, is smart and responsible. And if the Republicans somehow managed to convince Trump to drop out, that would be smart and responsible, too, because he’s manifestly unfit to be president in every way it’s possible to be unfit. As a Democrat, I’d applaud the Republicans for finally doing something patriotic.

Here’s some more of MacKinnon’s brilliant analysis:

Might the Democrats invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office before the election? There is an argument to be made that such a move should at least be considered for the welfare of the country.

Another growing possibility is that Biden simply walks away from the job. He must feel like he was hit by a freight train with all of his Democratic “friends” stabbing him in the back.

What happens if next week at the Democratic convention, Biden simply walks up to the podium, looks into the camera and declares: “I’ve had it. I’m done. I am resigning from my office and going back to Delaware.”

Here’s another example of projection. If Biden’s cabinet invokes the 25th Amendment, it surely means that they have good reason, and Democrats would not complain. If Biden were to resign on his own, it likewise would mean he feels incapable of serving out his term, and Democrats would applaud him for being responsible. But he would never do this in a fit of pique. I can see Trump doing that, and maybe that’s what MacKinnon would do, but Biden isn’t a petulant child.

Publishing garbage like this is a sign that there’s a serious talent deficit on the right, and that the editors of The Hill are too beholden to their right-wing publishers.