Since Donald Trump became US President, the Republican Party has undergone significant change, both in content and in political tone. Decades of practiced rules are now broken to stay in line with Trump. But there is still resistance in the Grand Old Party (GOP) – and he is slowly forming.
Two years before the next presidential election preparations have already begun. Especially among the opposition Democrats, numerous candidates have already announced their appointment for the party-internal area code. For the Republicans, the starting point is actually clear: Trump will run for reelection.
In the past, there were often no internal party challengers in such cases. The last time in 1992, George Bush senior, an incumbent president had to contest a primary. He clearly won against Patrick Buchanan, but then defeated the Democratic opponent Bill Clinton. Meanwhile, it is clear that Trump must also face competition within the party.
Warning signal for Trump
It is a clear sign that in the Republican Party despite the very closed appearance to the outside and the – at least medial – largely silent criticism of Trump continues to resist, albeit rarely or barely articulated openly. Trump, who for decades was registered as a Democrat in the electoral register and within a few years exchanged his mainly socially liberal positions for right-wing conservatives, has meanwhile transformed the GOP into a right-wing populist platform.
Trump, who is even more active than other presidents in an ongoing election campaign, did so not only with his dreaded Twitter outbursts of rage, which are becoming very personal, but also with open threats and an often stubborn focus on a few topics like wall construction and trade dispute with China (and other parts of the world).
The Presidency of the United States as a Republican is an Exploratory Committee for the United States as a Republican in the 2020 election. “ pic.twitter.com/LUrsyyo1fP
– Gov. Bill Weld (@GovBillWeld) February 15, 2019
First challengers sign up
Last week, for the first time, a Trump opponent for 2020 entered the ring for the first time: Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld announced his earnest intention to compete by announcing the creation of a preliminary election committee. Weld is largely unknown across the US and internationally, but respected by veterans in the Republican establishment, according to the AP news agency. He does not have chances of actually beating Trump – but that’s perhaps not the point. As he emphasized, it is time for all people of good will to „take a stand“.
And the 73-year-old should not be the only one who seriously considered going into the race against Trump. Shortly after Weld’s announcement, a high-ranking employee of the Ohio ex-governor John Kasich announced that Kasich would also be competing. „All options are on the table – and the signs are on their way,“ quoted AP Kasich’s advisor John Weaver.
The Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, met two weeks ago with the influential neo-conservative commentator and founder of the Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol. He had already announced in the fall, he wanted to recruit a promising opponent to Trump. According to Hogan’s advisors, the governor also seriously prays with a go-ahead.
Jump into the cold water
Kristol praised Weld for his announcement: „In my opinion, he deserves a lot of credit for being the first to jump into the water. Because the water is still pretty cold at the moment „. But Weld „will not be the last,“ said Kristol convinced.
Weld attacked Trump head-to-head with his announcement: „We have a president who is primarily concerned with self-promotion rather than the good of the country.“ He does not „use his talent to strengthen democracy, truth, justice and equal opportunities for all“. In addition, Trump is „simply too unstable to fulfill the duties of the highest office in the country.“
Weld attacked Trump head-to-head with his announcement: „We have a president who is primarily concerned with self-promotion rather than the good of the country.“ He does not „use his talent to strengthen democracy, truth, justice and equal opportunities for all“. In addition, Trump is „simply too unstable to fulfill the duties of the highest office in the country.“
Weld is a conservative budgetary policy, but socially liberal. In 2016, he entered the race with Gary Johnson as Libertarian. In January, he was registered as a Republican. Trump could be effectively challenged only within the Republican Party, Weld justified his decision. „I do not want to fool around. If you are aiming for the direct duel, then it has to be an ‚R‘ (for Republicans, note), otherwise it will not work. “
Counter question „Who?“
The Republican National Committee (RNC), which is central to the election campaign, issued a non-binding resolution in January in which Trump declared its undivided support. Any effort to challenge Trump was „absolutely hopeless,“ said RNC spokeswoman Cassie Smedile. And Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders responded to a question to Weld simply: „Who?“
Trump’s ratings are generally weak, but he remains extremely popular with the bulk of the Republican voter base. From today’s perspective, a party-internal challenger has little to no chance. But for Trump it would be a bad omen for the actual election campaign. He would be counted in the race – and to suffer the same fate as George Bush senior and Jimmy Carter is probably the last thing Trump wants.
