Why Trump's GOP opponents refuse to exploit his biggest weakness, even as the clock ticks in their battle to defeat him
Trump's GOP rivals are intensifying their attacks, accusing him of deceit, fear of debates, and failed leadership DeSantis seeks an opportunity while most Republicans downplay the threat to democracy Biden's chance to capitalize
Donald Trump’s primary rivals are intensifying their attacks as they grow increasingly desperate. They are accusing him of lying about them, evading debates, and being unfit to serve as president. However, with the Iowa caucuses looming just 13 days away, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley are hesitant to criticize the Republican front-runner for his most significant liability: his undermining of American democracy, which could pose a major obstacle in a general election and will tarnish his legacy in history.
Their reluctance suggests potential campaign mishandling and shows a lack of political bravery as Trump embraces an increasingly authoritarian attitude in preparation for a potential presidency that he intends to use for personal payback.
In fact, during a Gray TV town hall on Tuesday, an Iowa voter directly asked DeSantis in a written question: "Why do you defend Trump? What are you afraid of?"
Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Nikki Haley.
Getty Images
Two weeks out from the caucuses, DeSantis-Haley rivalry dominates airwaves as Trump maintains front-runner status
Despite his opponents' attempts to challenge him, the ex-president continues to maintain a strong hold on the GOP, especially since his departure from Washington after the 2020 election. His disruptive nature, refusal to adhere to traditional political norms, and loyal following among GOP voters have contributed to his enduring influence. Additionally, the widespread disinterest among his supporters in holding him accountable for his anti-democratic actions has further strengthened his power within the party. Similar to his time in office, Trump's ability to evade consequences for his actions and the difficulty of challenging him politically make it challenging for potential primary rivals to effectively hold him accountable.
Trump made a new legal move on Tuesday as he faces a challenging two-week period of court obligations and potential setbacks in his cases. He lodged an appeal against the decision by Maines Democratic secretary of state to remove him from the ballot due to the 14th Amendments ban on "insurrectionists." He also plans to appeal a similar decision by the Colorado Supreme Court. Both cases are expected to be taken to the US Supreme Court. The constitutionally controversial ballot issue is likely to solidify Trump's connection to his base voters, as have his four criminal indictments and civil fraud trial in New York.
And it will leave DeSantis and Haley casting around yet again for a way to attack Trump, without alienating Republicans who still feel warmly toward him.
DeSantis is desperate for an opening
DeSantis, hoping to resurrect his campaign with an upset win in Iowa, criticized the former president on Tuesday for his refusal to participate in a CNN debate in the Hawkeye State next week. He argued that he would be a more effective implementer of Trumpism than Trump himself.
"Why shouldn't he have to answer questions? He's campaigning on issues like deporting undocumented immigrants and building a wall, but he made those promises in 2016 and didn't follow through. So, I believe he owes the public answers to those questions," DeSantis stated.
In the Gray TV town hall, the Florida governor refuted allegations that he had been lenient with Trump and emphasized that he had made a clear distinction from the former president.
Haley, who is campaigning in New Hampshire with the goal of becoming the last remaining alternative to Trump, informed voters that the ex-president's recent aggressive criticisms indicate his concern about her challenge.
Former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Scott Eisen, Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Trump, Haley and DeSantis qualify for CNN Iowa debate
"Everything he said in his commercials and temper tantrums has been a lie. Every single thing. I searched for even a hint of truth," she said, dismissing Trump's claims about her gas tax policy during her time as governor.
"Everyone's praising the economy under Trump, right? But what was the cost? He put us $8 trillion in debt in just four years," she said, later emphasizing, "You can't claim to have a strong economy when it's built on debt."
However, similar to DeSantis, Haley chose not to address the anti-democratic issue in the forefront. Instead of concentrating solely on Trump, they have turned their attention to attacking each other. A pro-Haley super PAC advertisement in Iowa criticizes DeSantis as "phony" and "too lame to lead," while the DeSantis campaign has labeled Haley as "Tricky Nikki." This aggressive approach demonstrates the urgency for both Haley and DeSantis to establish themselves as the main alternative to Trump in order to remain competitive in the presidential race.
Before the official start of the GOP nominating race in Iowa on January 15, their mutual antagonism has led many to believe that they are competing for second place in a nationwide contest. If Trump secures the GOP nod, it would mark a remarkable political comeback just three years after putting US democracy to its biggest test in modern times.
Despite widespread horror at the idea of his return to power, Trump's ongoing popularity among Republicans highlights a significant divide in political and factual perception that runs deep in America.
Most Republicans have little patience for the idea that democracy is threatened
Amidst the focus of Democrats and the media on the potential impact of a second Trump term on democracy, there is a noticeable lack of interest among GOP voters in holding anyone accountable for the events that occurred at the end of the previous presidency. This longstanding aversion to addressing the events of January 2021 has heavily influenced the actions of top GOP leaders in Washington. In a recent demonstration of Trump's influence, Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana officially endorsed the former president on Tuesday.
A recent poll by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland revealed that Republican voters are increasingly uninterested in holding Trump accountable for the events of January 6, 2021. The study found that while 55% of all US adults see the storming of the Capitol as an attack on democracy that should never be forgotten, 72% of Republicans believe it's time to move on. Just two years ago, 27% of Republicans felt that Trump bore responsibility for the attack, but now that number has dropped to 14%. This change in perspective comes after months of Trump portraying the jailed attackers as political prisoners.
While democracy is a primary focus for many lawmakers, experts, and journalists in the political sphere, it is not as pressing of an issue for the majority of the country. The lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as high prices, hold more resonance with most voters.
The polling of Republican voters reveals why Trump has been able to exploit his numerous indictments and incidents like Colorado and Maine removing him from the ballot. It also illuminates why DeSantis and Haley indirectly criticize Trump but have not yet confronted him for pushing American democracy to the edge.
"This was brought before the nation during impeachment. He was acquitted. I believe January 6 is part of the fabric of the situation. I don't think the cases against Jack Smith are altering the political landscape in polling," stated South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham on CBS "Face the Nation" on Sunday, referring to the special counsel pursuing two federal criminal cases against the former president. "In the end, Donald Trump is in a strong position to win the Republican primary, as Republicans believe he had a successful presidency."
Graham's remarks echo the widespread belief among Republican voters following years of Trump's baseless allegations of election fraud and his current claims of President Joe Biden's election meddling, all while positioning himself as the defender of American democracy. These assertions have been promoted for three years by conservative media in the face of deep skepticism towards mainstream sources reporting on the events of January 6.
In June, Trump informed his supporters that he viewed his two then-pending indictments as a "badge of honor" and that he was "being indicted for you." Recent developments leading up to the Iowa caucuses indicate that his approach is proving effective.
Bidens opening
In a general election, Trump may not receive the same level of support. Biden, despite facing low poll numbers and concerns about his age even within his own party, is framing his campaign for reelection around the argument that Trump and "MAGA Republican extremists" would present a serious danger to democracy.
This strategy might be effective in certain areas, as Trump's extreme behavior and rhetoric have alienated key swing state voters in national elections. Even though recent battleground state polls show Trump leading Biden, it is uncertain if this approach will secure a second term for Biden.
In the GOP, there is no support for criticizing Trump on the issue. Chris Christie is the only visible candidate openly criticizing Trump as a threat to US values. The former New Jersey governor has also mocked Nikki Haley for her diplomatic comments that it's time to move on from Trump's "chaos" and drama.
"What exactly does that mean, governor? Why not just say it? He's not some Voldemort from the Harry Potter books," Christie stated in New Hampshire on November 30. However, Christie's influence in the GOP is limited outside of the Granite State, where independent voters play a crucial role in selecting party nominees.
It will be the voters, not polls, who will determine whether Trump secures his third consecutive Republican nomination. Both Iowa and New Hampshire have a track record of unexpected developments that could lead to upsets.
As time runs out, Haley and DeSantis' failure to address his impact on American history raises two important questions: Why bother running for president if you can't effectively use powerful political material against him? And will the coming weeks show that Trump was always unbeatable in the 2024 GOP race?
