GOP senators say there is less enthusiasm for former President Trump among Republican-leaning voters compared to 2016, a drop in voter energy that was apparent when only 15 percent of Iowa’s registered Republicans showed up for Monday’s caucuses.
Lawmakers acknowledge the weather was a factor behind the low turnout in Iowa but point to other signs of diminished enthusiasm for Trump, something that could hurt down-ballot Republican candidates in swing states.
Senate Republicans hope that Trump’s problems will be balanced by lower enthusiasm among Democrats for President Biden, though they expect Trump being atop the ticket will drive Democratic voters to the polls in large numbers.
Another concern among GOP senators is that Biden will have a big fundraising advantage over Trump, who is pouring his resources into his legal defense in the face of four criminal trials and two civil cases.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Lawmakers acknowledge the weather was a factor behind the low turnout in Iowa but point to other signs of diminished enthusiasm for Trump, something that could hurt down-ballot Republican candidates in swing states.
Another concern among GOP senators is that Biden will have a big fundraising advantage over Trump, who is pouring his resources into his legal defense in the face of four criminal trials and two civil cases.
A Colby College poll released Friday, for example, showed rural voters, one of Trump’s core constituencies, aren’t that excited about his candidacy.
More troubling for Republican lawmakers, a CNN entrance poll for the Iowa GOP caucuses found that 31 percent of participants said Trump would not be fit for the presidency if convicted of a crime.
Senate GOP leaders have agonized for months — or years, even — over Trump’s lack of appeal with independent and swing voters — especially suburban and college-educated women.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and other Trump allies are hoping he wins New Hampshire by a large margin, which would likely knock Haley out of the race, so Republicans can begin coalescing behind a nominee sooner rather than later.
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