Seemingly in a twist of political fate, Republicans initially steadfast against supporting ex-President Donald Trump now seem on the verge of rallying behind him again, come November. This changing disposition is triggered by a perceived need to prevent President Biden from achieving a second term. Eric Levine, a respected Republican financier and formerly a diehard Nikki Haley fan, expressed his defiance to Fox News Digital, asserting that his support for Trump, although not enthusiastic, was a choice born out of necessity.
Levine, renowned in the Grand Old Party (GOP) for his capacity to raise funds, candidly shared his viewpoints in a recent essay sent to his extensive network of fellow GOP donors. In this piece, he admitted that his firm determination not to back Trump post-Jan. 6 Capitol riots had unexpectedly altered. He confessed that he was facing the surprising reality of needing to vote for Trump once more, against his earlier convictions.
GOP consultant John Feehery proposed that whether ‘never-Trump’ Republicans swing back to Trump would strongly depend on their level of alarm about Biden’s decisions. Levy echoed this perspective, stating that his choice was driven more by his profound disapproval of Biden than by any renewed affection for Trump.
Interestingly for individuals like Levy, their quandary was not about choosing between Trump or Biden. It was more of a question of whether they would participate in the election process or abstain completely, thereby indirectly giving their endorsement to Trump by not voting for Biden.
This predicament is familiar territory for seasoned political players, Republican strategist Doug Heye points out. In his experience, post-primary, the likelihood of voters ‘returning home’ to their original choice is high. However, he emphasizes that there is no sure way to predict exactly how many will choose this route.
As the prospective Trump-Biden face-off continues to build momentum, uncertainty remains around the final allegiance of initially disillusioned voters. What cannot be debated is that their decision could tip the electoral scales substantially, given the competitiveness of the upcoming election.
Andrew Smith, the Director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, reminds us that it’s ‘too premature’ to predict voting behavior. Yet, he notes the innate capacity of voters to justify voting for their party candidate over their political rival. As the election date nears, this justification may become even more prevalent.
Smith goes on to predict that as the elections approach, particularly after Labor Day, the majority of primary voters against Trump may eventually back him. Levine’s decision to openly share his change of heart with his wide-reaching network of Republicans saw a surprising amount of responses, with an unexpected split among those who had been fervently ‘Never-Trumpers’.
Prior to the primaries, a significant number of Republicans disinclined towards Trump had gravitated towards Haley’s more moderate stance. Exit polls from New Hampshire and South Carolina highlight this swing, where Haley secured a sizable portion of independent voters disillusioned by Trump.
Haley’s success in courting typically non-aligned voters, as well as some disenchanted Democrats, reflects a diverse coalition tired of Trump’s politics. Reports suggest this faction could manifest as a wildcard in the upcoming elections, as Haley supporters are forced to reconsider their choices.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a fellow Republican who initially endorsed Haley, made headlines in March when he revealed his intent to vote for Trump despite his earlier criticism. Merely mirroring the conventional electoral phenomenon of ‘post-primary return’, Sununu stands testament to the power of party loyalty.
Sununu went on to add that he believes more Republicans will move towards Trump as Biden’s policies continue to be disadvantageous for himself and his party. He emphasized that voters need to question whether they want to support a Republican agenda.
Biden’s campaign is aware of this sentiment and has taken active steps to woo Haley supporters, even releasing a custom 30-second ad in critical battleground states. This is in stark contrast to Trump’s campaign that hasn’t made any such overtures to Haley’s demographic.
This complacency on Trump’s campaign’s part may not deter Haley’s voters, as people tend to favor familiar policies when confronted with ‘harsh realities’, suggests Iowa Republican operative Marlys Popma. Levine concurs, stating that it’s hard for him to visualize a Haley supporter shifting allegiance to Biden.
However, Republican strategist David Kochel, a former adviser to Mitt Romney, presents an alternative and intriguing forecast. He speculates a significant number of voters might distance themselves from the presidential vote altogether, or they could vote for Biden or a third party.
‘Never Trumpers’ Considering Supporting Trump as Biden’s Failures Continue to Pile Up appeared first on Real News Now.
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