The debt ceiling vote appeared to be the perfect hook. The annual increase in the deficit under Trump ranks as the third-largest increase, relative to the size of the economy, of any US presidential administration. Long before Covid, Republicans in Congress were asked by Trump’s White House to spend more – and that spending has contributed to the current debt crisis. Mr. Trump will say he is financially responsible, but the actual numbers don’t lie. “We cannot afford these deficits. We cannot pay this debt. We can’t afford Donald Trump.”
Sixth, there is one personality trait that is nearly universally universal: an aversion to public devotion while displaying private dishonesty. In a word, hypocrisy. So far, that hasn’t worked for Trump’s opponents, but that’s because the examples don’t involve Mr. Trump’s voters personally. During his 2016 campaign, Trump repeatedly condemned Barack Obama for the occasional golfing, promising not to travel at taxpayers’ expense. What is Trump’s record? Nearly 300 rounds of golf on his personal course in just 4 years cost hardworking taxpayers about $150 million for additional security. This may sound petty, but brought up on the debate stage, it can be deadly. “While more than half of the American population is working penny by dollar, he is working his short game. And you paid for it!
Saturday, you won’t be elected with only Republicans. The successful candidate must also attract independents. In 2016, Mr. Trump promised voters that they would be bored of winning. But he alienated independents so much that they abandoned the Republican Party and joined the Democratic Party, bringing in US President Nancy Pelosi in 2018, President Biden in 2020 and Majority Leader Schumer in 2020. Just one Senate seat in 2020 will put the Democratic Party’s agenda on hold. stop completely. Most of Mr. Trump’s endorsement in the bitterly contested 2022 races fell short in a surprise midterm election that few (including myself) anticipated. If Mr. Trump is the candidate in 2024, are Republicans fully confident that he will win independents this time? The former president is certain to lose if Republicans believe that a vote for Mr Trump in the primaries means Mr Biden’s election as a whole.
And eighth, you need to penetrate the conservative echo chamber. You need at least one of these people with you: Mark Levin, Dennis Prager, Ben Shapiro, Newt Gingrich and of course Tucker, Hannity or Laura. Thanks to the Dominion lawsuit, we all know what the Fox News host is in particular. The challenge is to get them to be honest in public. That requires a candidate as tough as Mr. Trump, but more publicly committed to traditional conservative ideology like ending Washington’s wasteful spending — and the ability to get it done. “Some people want to make a statement. I want to make a difference.”
Of the potential Republican contenders for the nomination, none have come close to doing some or all of this. Ron DeSantis was a mild critic of Mr. Trump, preferring an all-out attack on Disney instead. Do not worry. He has plenty of time to put his messages in order. But when he and his colleagues take to the Republican debate stage in August, they’ll only have one chance to prove they’re worth the job by demonstrating that they understand the electorate. Trump.
To be clear, if Mr. Trump ran purely on the merits of his administration, he could win the nomination. So far, he has proven himself incapable of doing so. Most Republicans applauded his foreign policy and economic successes and impact on the bureaucracy and judiciary, especially relative to his predecessor and current successor. grandfather.
But that’s not the Donald Trump of 2023. Many people stopped cheering when asked to rate Mr. Trump’s ongoing public comments and actions. In 2016, the campaign is about what he can do for you. Today, it is about what is being done with him. If he becomes increasingly distracted, or if his opponents focus on his tweets, outbursts, and destructive personality, a large number of Republicans could choose others, as long as they prioritize core, time-tested priorities like lower taxes, less regulation, and less Washington.
Republicans just want everything Mr. Trump has done, not everything Mr. Trump is or says.
