Elite‑Panic as Political Signal

Private gatherings and visible reactions among cultural and political elites (watch parties, public displays of alarm) function as an early, readable signal of institutional panic about an incumbent’s fitness. When governors, celebrities, and high‑level aides publicly react in coordinated or dramatic ways, those moments both reflect and amplify intra‑party decision processes about candidate viability. — If tracked, elite‑panic episodes could serve as a short‑term indicator of party realignment, behind‑the‑scenes decisionmaking, and forthcoming leadership or strategic changes.