It Is Donald Trump's Party
I really did think that, given the operation he had built in Iowa, Ron DeSantis could pull it off. The fact that he battled for second against Nikki Haley in a very close race strongly indicates that the path forward is off a cliff for DeSantis.
The Republican Party is Donald Trump’s party. I saw some Twitter account say Trump is taking on the establishment, but it is very clear that Trump is the establishment. He is the dominant force in the GOP. The party is his.
The Iowa blowout was extremely impressive and shows a strong desire by the party's base for a 2020 rematch, which they will undoubtedly get unless Biden steps aside.
For those of us who are not fans of Trump, we’ll all have to make a choice — sit on the sidelines, walk away from the GOP, or vote for Trump (or some might go with Biden). But, frankly, given the enthusiasm of the base in Iowa — a state that rejected him in 2016 — it probably does not matter.
Trump will be the GOP nominee. Many of those who insist they’ll never vote for him, when confronted by the woke left and Biden in the general, will change their minds.
Whether he can beat Biden is another issue. The reality is that Trump’s victory in November will be way more resource-intensive than a Haley or DeSantis victory. That will deprive House and Senate races of resources. Likewise, there is some evidence that many general election voters just haven’t wrapped their brains around the GOP rallying to Trump. That could benefit Biden.
When the polls shift, don’t blame the pollsters. For everyone saying the pollsters were wrong, they were right about Iowa. The Real Clear Politics polling average had Trump at 52% heading into last night. He’ll wind up close to that.
Right now, those same polls have Trump ahead of Biden by 1.1%, and Trump, historically, outperforms the polls. The polling will undoubtedly shift as Trump gets more national, regular media exposure and the general election public comes to terms with the GOP backing Trump.
The GOP should remember that among voters who voted in 2020, Biden wins against Trump in 2024. The Democrats should remember that if Trump can mobilize his voters in 2024, Trump wins.
The difference between the Republican Primary and the General Election is that the primary is a blowout. The general election will not be.
As for the DeSantis campaign, they won’t quit yet. But, as someone who has written favorably about their efforts and ground game, I do not see a viable path. If all that money, mobilization, and effort could not get close to Trump in Iowa, it won’t help nationally. Never Back Down got beat down in Iowa.
In the race between Trump-like and Trump, the base of the party wants Trump — warts and all. It is an open question if the general election voters will feel the same way.
As an aside, it was completely irresponsible of the American media to call the Caucuses before any votes started. At the same time, given the margin of victory, it is sour grapes and whining to presume doing so altered the inevitable outcome.
Lastly, thank God we’re almost to the end of Vivek’s campaign.
I’m sorry but I’m going to beat a dead horse. Can’t you Trump fans see what the Democrats are doing? All of these indictments are out there to inflame Trump’s base. Before they started he was barely beating DeSantis. I would like nothing more than to have someone in Washington to clean house and I mean clear down to the bare floors. Between the Democrats, the never Trumpers, the people who just won’t vote, and all the election “abnormalities “ Trump will never win .
Besides all of that I want 8 years of a Republican presidency. You can vote for Trump who will not win the general election or Nikki (Jeb Bush) Haley or Ron DeSantis who has fought all the crap and won . Just look how prepared he was for the 2 hurricanes that hit his state and I could go on and on. I know what you are thinking 73 million votes last time, well it wasn’t enough was it. Please everyone, read up on all the candidates then decide. If Biden or whoever wins we are done. I’ll say it one more time I believe that Governor DeSantis can save this country.
Until we ALL realize that we are against the ONE WORLD GOV. that is in control of this Nation right now and start really getting out and going ALL IN for the Republicans, we will really loooose this Nation. When Trump won last time, it set them back a long way and that is why they made sure he did not win last time. They will do all they can to keep him out of office and we need to do ALL we can to keep him in office. Would I prefer someone else? Yes, but he is showing right now that He is to be the ONE. This year, we need to vote for Republicans regardless who we would prefer, if we are to take back this nation. If we lose this year, we will be a total ONE WORLD GOV. until the Lord comes. And He is coming soon.