Chemical weapons are a very real possibility. Nukes are not. If Putin gave the order to launch nukes I think the Ruskie generals and the spy agencies and security forces would overthrow him. Even if Putin feels his life is threatened that doesn't mean the rest of Russia's elite want to die, and see their world destroyed.

Our democracy will survive if the anti-Trump forces of the GOP can help stop the MAGA fascists sometime before 2024. Many elite conservatives are urging Romney to run again. Even if he doesn't win the nomination he could form a third party and split the GOP vote.

On that note, think about what might have happened had Romney won in 2012. I voted for Obama, but if Mitt had won, Trump would never have been president and Romney might have pulled his party away from the edge and toward sanity. Perhaps even embracing climate science.