What awaits the divided Republican party?

Interview with a Republican strategist from Arizona, Brian SychikWho worked on Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns.

When you look at the Republican Party now, what do you see?

I see a very divided party. On the one hand, a group loyal to Donald Trump and, on the other hand, elected officials who blame the former president for the disappointing results in the 2022 midterm elections, are ready to move on.

There are divisions within the congressional Republican caucus over potential deals with Democrats, the investigation into the Biden clan, and the passage of some bills. Currently, there is no plan to move forward, nor a unified force. Hopefully, the upcoming presidential campaign will unite the party against Joe Biden. We are still far from there.

How damaging are the internal rifts, which were exposed in broad daylight this week, to the party? What do they suggest for action that begins in Congress and the upcoming presidential elections?

It does not bode well. Uphill sounds coming in this 118^H Congress. Electing the president should have been easier! If this is a taste of what’s to come, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. There is the debt ceiling, the boundary issues, the need for Republicans to generate votes, the need to create an environment hostile to Joe Biden. But we can’t even Agreement with the Speaker of the House of Representatives!

In the midterm elections, many suburban voters, who usually vote Republican or who vote with the party on issues like borders and inflation, chose this time to support the Democrats because there was chaos in our training. They do not see a party capable of ruling the country or leading the country. Last week’s episode contributes to that sentiment.

Frankly, I look forward to the presidential campaign where we will have the opportunity to unite against Joe Biden and prove that we have a plan. This is not at all what the Republican Party has done in recent days.

Kevin McCarthy and Donald Trump at a public event in February 2020.

Photo: Reuters/Kevin LaMarque

This week, Donald Trump publicly called on rebel Republican lawmakers to get behind Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House. At the time, his appeal was ignored. Are we witnessing the loss of influence of the former president?

I don’t understand why he decided to participate. Some of his staunch allies, such as Andy Biggs, Lorraine Boebert, and others, simply ignored his request. Obviously, it was an issue between the Republican caucus and Kevin McCarthy. Donald Trump had no influence.

” There was a time when Trump said, “Jump,” asked the caucus, “What’s the hike?” This is not the case anymore. »

Should we conclude that Donald Trump has lost feathers?

at all. Many people blamed President Trump for the disappointing results in the midterm elections. Add to that the multiple investigations targeting him and a lackluster campaign as 2024 approaches, and we can count on who supported his candidacy right away. Compare that to the 2020 campaign where people lined up to be on his side.

Supporting McCarthy appears to have been a mistake on his part, when he had no leverage to change votes.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with his family.

Photo: dpa via getty Images/GIORGIO VIERA

Recent polls of Republican voters overwhelmingly favor Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a potential GOP primary by 2024. Feel the chips are down?

It will be a battle. Donald Trump still has a fairly strong base of support. the Trump or nothing [Trump or die] They definitely exist. For now, Ron DeSantis’ candidacy is kind of wishful thinking [aspirational]. Not announced yet. Still not beaten.

At this point, Ron DeSantis is the conservative alternative to Donald Trump. He tries to please everyone. A campaign that will injure him. Nobody knows how it will end. It won’t be a pretty showdown.

* Some words have been abbreviated or modified for clarity and brevity.