In a move designed to promote a vision of party loyalty but
that actually telegraphs President Trump’s weakness, the Republican National
Committee voted on Friday to affirm its “undivided support for President Donald
J. Trump and his effective Presidency.” The unusual resolution appears intended
to head off a primary challenge to President Trump in 2020.
“President Trump has incredible support amongst Republican
voters and the full support of the RNC,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told the
AP. “Our
unprecedented relationship with the President and his campaign will be key to
his re-election and ensuring we continue this great American comeback.”
McDaniel’s statement is reminiscent of an early “Simpsons” episode in
which Lisa is given a scripted question to ask Mr. Burns as part of his
gubernatorial campaign. The question is a softball designed to make Burns appear
more popular than he is. It’s easy to imagine today’s Republicans asking Donald
Trump, “Your campaign seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train.
Why are you so popular?”
The RNC’s affirmation of loyalty to President Trump follows the
publication of a statement
by the chairman of the Arizona Republican Party earlier this month. In his
email, Jonathan Lines warned, “While we are accepting of different viewpoints,
it is essential that we stay true to our conservative values. And it is
non-negotiable that we stand with our President.”
The move to freeze out potential challengers to Trump comes
shortly after the Trump campaign assumed unprecedented control of the RNC in a
move that is similar to the Clinton takeover of the DNC ahead of the 2016
elections. In December, the two
organizations merged their fundraising and field efforts into a new group
called Trump Victory. The plan not only streamlines Republican campaign efforts but also makes it more difficult for
potential challengers.
While no Republican has announced a primary challenge to the
president, rumors have abounded. Popular Maryland Governor
Larry Hogan is said to be considering a run. Former Republican senators Bob
Corker and Jeff Flake, as well as former Ohio Governor John Kasich, are considered
to be possible candidates as well.
“There are some people who choose for whatever reason to
handcuff themselves to the Titanic,” John Weaver, a Kasich adviser, told Politico.
“Why, I have no idea.”
Hitching the GOP’s fortunes to Donald Trump is
a risky move. After the shutdown
failure, the president’s average approval
rating is 39 percent and Mr. Trump’s “effective presidency” led Republican
candidates to a shellacking in the 2018 midterm elections. A recent poll by PBS
NewsHour, NPR and Marist found that 57 percent of registered voters say they
can’t support Trump in 2020. An economy shackled to the president’s tariffs and
a deepening Russia investigation are merely two of the possibilities that could
drag Mr. Trump’s popularity further into the toilet.
A traditional strength of the Republican Party is the
diversity of ideas that come from a mix of free thought and differing opinions.
Increasingly, however, the new GOP seems similar to the left in that members
who dissent are being shown the door. Democrats have repeatedly made it clear
that there is no
room in their party for pro-lifers. Now Republicans are telling the country
that if you are one of the 41 percent of the country that isn’t on the Trump
Train, you aren’t welcome in the GOP.
Both parties seem intent on alienating and angering as many
moderate and independent voters in the
time left before the 2020 elections. It will be
interesting to see which succeeds in this race to the bottom.
Originally published
on The
Resurgent
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