" Corbyn and Trump don’t seem to have anything in common except the assumption on the part of anyone subscribing at any level to the standard thinking that they could never achieve electoral success. They were supposed to doom, if not destroy, their party’s future. "
- Michael Wolff

The quote suggests that both Jeremy Corbyn, a former leader of the Labour Party in the UK, and Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, were initially perceived as unlikely political figures to win elections. According to standard thinking at the time, their candidacies were seen as potentially damaging or disastrous for their respective parties. However, they managed to defy expectations and achieve electoral success.

Delving deeper into the quote's meaning, it highlights how conventional wisdom often underestimates the potential of unexpected candidates or ideas in political landscapes. The author implies that both Corbyn and Trump challenged established beliefs about what is politically viable. Their surprising successes suggest that there are always elements within a population that respond to unconventional leadership styles or radical policy proposals. This challenges the notion that only certain types of politicians can win elections, revealing the complexity and dynamism of voter behavior.

The quote was written by Michael Wolff, an American journalist known for his bold and often controversial writing style. He has authored numerous books on media and politics, with "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" being one of his most notable works. Known for his incisive analysis and sometimes critical commentary on contemporary political figures and events, Wolff’s perspective offers a provocative lens through which to understand the evolving dynamics within political systems.