Trump is the 'political equivalent of Four Loko' for the GOP, says former Obama aide

(Image credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Republicans are the only ones to blame for Donald Trump, former Obama aides tell Politico. Since the 2008 election, the party's antithetical governing style, combined with the emergence of the Tea Party and its fringe fear-mongering groups, created a candidate that personifies the "anger agenda," and now the GOP might just be devoured by it.

"Coming out of 2008 and the demographic changes in the country, Republicans needed energy, and instead of reaching for new ideas and new leadership, they reached for the political equivalent of Four Loko," says Hari Sevugan, a senior spokesman for Obama's 2008 campaign. "Sure, it gives a shot of energy, but it eventually rots your brain and kills you."

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.