There's nothing quite so vexing as being saddled with a losing candidate who most people don't want to run nearly two years out from Election Day. But that's precisely where the Republican Party finds itself—mostly because their 'leaders' were too spineless and craven to shiv Donald Trump when they had the chance (looking at you, Mitch).
By a 2-to-1 margin, Republican and GOP-leaning voters say they want Trumpy policies heading into 2024—but they don't want Trump himself leading the charge, according to a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll.
Just 31% of GOP and GOP-leaners favor Trump running, while 61% say they want some other standard-bearer to carry forward the mantle of Trump's policies. Of course, Trump's incomprehensible attraction has always been much less policy than vibe—brash, ugly, and sophomoric with sociopathic overtones.
Now two-thirds of Republicans and GOP-leaners say Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fits that bill and want him to throw his hat in the ring. In a head-to-head, DeSantis now throttles Trump among the group, 56% - 33%.
"Republicans and conservative independents increasingly want Trumpism without Trump," explained David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.
Incidentally, in a hypothetical rematch, the poll found Trump now loses to President Joe Biden by nearly 8 points (adjusting for rounding), 47% - 40%. Biden, however, falters in a contest against DeSantis, 43% - 47%.
Trump's eroding support is also evident in Civiqs tracking data, where he has tanked among registered Republicans to 73%, while DeSantis enjoys a 91% favorability rating among Republicans nationally.
Civiqs Results
Among registered voters nationally, Trump's cement-brick qualities are even more evident, with just 35% of the electorate viewing him favorably now, compared to 57% who don’t.
Civiqs Results
DeSantis, on the other hand, is 1 point above water with registered voters, 47% - 46%.
Civiqs Results
But what GOP voters want might not actually be what they get. Despite their misgivings, Trump still has a stranglehold on the party apparatus, from the Republican National Committee all the way down to state party chairs and other local officials.
It's a convenient back-scratching relationship for a cohort of GOP insiders that poses an extremely problematic hurdle to nominating anyone but Trump. It's not impossible, but a number of high-dollar GOP donors, along with Republican leaders and strategists, would have to grow a spine and go on record against Trump. It would be an epic GOP civil war with enormous fallout. Not impossible, but highly implausible given the profiles in courage we've witnessed over the last six years. Instead, we’re far more likely to hear a lot more behind-the-scenes whispers and anonymous bleating that amounts to nothing.
Sign the petition: Trump wants to terminate the Constitution. All Republicans must refuse to support him.
By a 2-to-1 margin, Republican and GOP-leaning voters say they want Trumpy policies heading into 2024—but they don't want Trump himself leading the charge, according to a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll.
Just 31% of GOP and GOP-leaners favor Trump running, while 61% say they want some other standard-bearer to carry forward the mantle of Trump's policies. Of course, Trump's incomprehensible attraction has always been much less policy than vibe—brash, ugly, and sophomoric with sociopathic overtones.
Now two-thirds of Republicans and GOP-leaners say Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fits that bill and want him to throw his hat in the ring. In a head-to-head, DeSantis now throttles Trump among the group, 56% - 33%.
"Republicans and conservative independents increasingly want Trumpism without Trump," explained David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.
Incidentally, in a hypothetical rematch, the poll found Trump now loses to President Joe Biden by nearly 8 points (adjusting for rounding), 47% - 40%. Biden, however, falters in a contest against DeSantis, 43% - 47%.
Trump's eroding support is also evident in Civiqs tracking data, where he has tanked among registered Republicans to 73%, while DeSantis enjoys a 91% favorability rating among Republicans nationally.
Civiqs Results
Among registered voters nationally, Trump's cement-brick qualities are even more evident, with just 35% of the electorate viewing him favorably now, compared to 57% who don’t.
Civiqs Results
DeSantis, on the other hand, is 1 point above water with registered voters, 47% - 46%.
Civiqs Results
But what GOP voters want might not actually be what they get. Despite their misgivings, Trump still has a stranglehold on the party apparatus, from the Republican National Committee all the way down to state party chairs and other local officials.
It's a convenient back-scratching relationship for a cohort of GOP insiders that poses an extremely problematic hurdle to nominating anyone but Trump. It's not impossible, but a number of high-dollar GOP donors, along with Republican leaders and strategists, would have to grow a spine and go on record against Trump. It would be an epic GOP civil war with enormous fallout. Not impossible, but highly implausible given the profiles in courage we've witnessed over the last six years. Instead, we’re far more likely to hear a lot more behind-the-scenes whispers and anonymous bleating that amounts to nothing.
Sign the petition: Trump wants to terminate the Constitution. All Republicans must refuse to support him.