The Grand Old Party isn’t a small-d democratic institution, it’s an authoritarian party that demands absolute allegiance to its Dear Leader.

Donald Trump not only lost the election in an electoral college and popular vote landslide to Joe Biden, but he also lost both chambers of Congress.

Nevertheless, Trump holds an iron grip on the Republican Party, it’s a cult of personality where no member is allowed to deviate from the Trump party line.

This week’s Republican primary in Ohio’s congressional special election was a case in point. There were nearly a dozen Republicans on the ballot: Trump endorsed former coal lobbyist Mike Carey and Sen. Rand Paul rallied behind state Rep. Ron Hood.

All of the Republican candidates, including Hood, were stalwart supporters and defenders of Trump, yet he was furious that Paul had the temerity not to follow his lead and endorse Carey.

An enraged Trump issued the following written statement:

“Do you think Rand Paul will apologize for spending nearly $1 Million on another candidate in Ohio’s 15th District congressional race after I had already endorsed Mike Carey? … Rand’s candidate came in a distant third out of eleven. Rand is a different kind of guy…. Do you think he learned his lesson?”

What’s the lesson that Paul is supposed to have learned?

Republican leaders aren’t allowed to think for themselves, they must blindly follow Trump’s lead. If their Orange Messiah anoints a candidate, it’s mandatory for every other Republican to second the endorsement.