When the Romney campaign opened the door a crack to let Donald Trump, a well-known conservative mouthpiece and cheerleader, feel important and included, he proceeded to quickly kick them out of their own tent and lord about the place like he owned it, making the Romney campaign all about The Donald at all times, pursuing his own agendas, and driving Romney staffers crazy. Don’t ever let camels inside your tent. Pack an extra warm blanket for them if you must, but throw it out the tent flap in their general direction.

You should not assume that Romney embraced Trump out of the kindness of his heart. Trump was allowed into the fold because snubbing someone who never shuts up–and is known to doggedly cling to thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories long past the time sane people are embarrassed to be associated with them–would be risking Trump’s vitriol. If nothing else, Mitt Romney is not a risk-taker or a bold leader who can assert himself with his base and be respected.