Republican Resistance to Trump Swells as Critics Cite Dangers to Democracy and National Security
Welcome to the seventh edition of “The Pulse of Politics — USA” newsletter. There are multiple breaking news developments to cover in the fast moving and fluid 2024 presidential campaign, including:
- Increasing opposition to Trump by fellow Republicans
- Ongoing debate over the first presidential debate
- Scheduling a big media interview for Harris-Walz
But first, here’s what you need to know before the Labor Day holiday weekend — the end of which marks the final phase of the presidential campaign, with about two months remaining before Election Day…
The Harris-Walz campaign kicks off a grassroots bus tour of rural Georgia today to build on the momentum of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), as both campaigns shift their focus to key battleground states.
Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign in the traditionally Democratic-leaning Blue Wall states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Meanwhile, an average of the latest national polls post-DNC shows Harris leading Trump by approximately 3 to 4 percentage points, while both candidates remain statistically tied in the critical battleground states (that is, within the polling margin of error).
Harris narrowly leads in the vital Blue Wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which Democrats traditionally need to win in order to reach 270 Electoral College votes.
Trump narrowly leads in the Republican-leaning swing states of Arizona and Nevada. However, state polling shows Harris trending upward in the traditionally red states of Georgia and North Carolina since President Biden dropped out of the race. This could spell trouble for Trump.
Any so-called Red Wall for Republicans to regain the White House will crack without winning both Georgia and North Carolina, which appear increasingly contested.
More Republicans Oppose Trump
Last week’s successful Democratic National Convention featured remarks by several high-profile Republicans supporting Harris-Walz.
These Republicans included former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan of Georgia, as well as prior Trump Administration officials and other conservatives (video below).
Plus, more than 200 former staffers of the Bush, McCain and Romney presidential campaigns issued an open letter this week supporting Harris-Walz. They wrote the following:
- “Another four years of a Trump presidency would irreparably damage our beloved democracy.”
- “At home, another four years of Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership, this time focused on advancing the dangerous goals of Project 2025, will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions.”
- “Abroad, democratic movements will be irreparably jeopardized as Trump and his acolyte JD Vance kowtow to dictators like Vladimir Putin while turning their backs on our allies.”
Many Republican-led groups have likewise been vocal in their opposition to Trump, and support for Harris.
These organizations include the Lincoln Project, Republicans for the Rule of Law, Republican Accountability, Haley Voters for Harris, Republican Voters Against Trump, Americans for Prosperity, and the Never Trump movement
Additionally, there’s a long list of many dozens of members of the Republican Party who oppose Trump. These individuals include former presidents and vice presidents, Cabinet members, Executive Branch officials, as well as current and former lawmakers at the national, state and local levels.
One has to ask: Why have so many Republicans turned against Trump, while so many Democrats remain loyal to Harris?
All of this Republican resistance to Trump does not bode well for winning over independent and undecided voters who will decide the election, particularly in swing states.
Debating the Debate
Questions continue to loom over the first presidential debate, scheduled for September 10 and moderated by ABC News. The latest point of contention is whether the candidates’ microphones should remain on or muted while their opponent speaks.
Vice President Harris wants an open mic to engage in a lively debate. But Trump wants the mics muted as each candidate speaks only when it’s their turn to answer questions. These were the rules for Trump’s last debate with President Biden.
It remains unclear why the Trump campaign opposes open mics?
Moreover, Trump has flip-flopped over the first debate with Harris more times than a fish out of water. First, he wants as many debates as possible. Then Trump changes his mind.
Trump most recently voiced concerns not only about open mics, but also about whether the debate should be hosted by ABC News as previously agreed upon (which he considers biased “fake news”).
Trump says one thing while his campaign says the opposite.
“It doesn’t matter to me, I’d rather probably have it on,” Trump insisted yesterday about whether the microphones should remain open or muted. Meanwhile, his campaign says otherwise.
Trump also continues to attack Harris, saying “she’s not a good debater” and “she’s not a smart person.”
I’m not sure how someone who’s “not a smart person” or “dumb as a rock” (as Trump has said) becomes a prosecuting attorney, the attorney general of the largest state (California is bigger than most countries), a U.S. senator, vice president and a leading presidential candidate?
Additionally, it’s a more effective campaign strategy to set expectations high for a political opponent in a debate, hoping he/she falls short — rather than lowering the bar, which exceedingly makes even a mediocre showing look like a big win.
Lowering debate expectations for Harris may prove an unwise political strategy for Trump, especially if she proves his contentions wrong with a strong performance.
CNN Gets Interview
Trump has readily attacked Harris over his contention that she has failed to do any unscripted campaign events (those not on teleprompter), such as major media interviews.
That will change on Thursday night when CNN is scheduled to air the first joint media interview with Harris-Walz at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The interview will be conducted earlier in the day during a Harris-Walz campaign swing in Georgia.
Thus far, it’s been an unprecedented political whirlwind for Kamala Harris since her surprise entry in the presidential race one month ago.
She’s had to hone her campaign messaging, schedule and prep for events, select a running mate and prepare for the DNC. The Democrats’ convention actually received a higher viewer rating than the Republican National Convention, which is bound to drive Trump bonkers due to infatuation with TV ratings and crowd sizes.
In response to Trump’s repeated criticism, Harris promised to do a major media event before the end of August. Now one is scheduled to air on CNN, even though Trump certainly would have preferred a more conservative media outlet, such as Fox News.
It should also be noted that Harris has a “press pool” of reporters that follow her every move on the campaign trail, including traveling on her plane. Harris has, in fact, answered impromptu questions from these reporters both on and off the record.
Trump’s insistence that Harris is unable to conduct unscripted campaign appearances may strike some observers as disingenuous.
Once again, Trump has lowered the bar for Harris. This should make it easier for Harris and Walz to pull off a successful joint interview — rather than raising the bar to make the interview outcome more questionable.
Yet again, Trump has proven to be his own worst enemy.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Please share your valuable comments below.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: You can learn more about me here. You can subscribe to this newsletter on LinkedIn here. I’m a long-time registered independent who is unaffiliated with the Harris-Walz campaign or any political campaign. My experience in government and politics spans 25 years, including work at The White House, the Presidential Transition Office, two winning presidential campaigns, the U.S. Congress, and two federal agencies (OMB and EEOC).
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