James Antle of the Washington Examiner focuses on conservative politicians’ decisions about how closely to align themselves with former President Donald Trump.
After four years locked in an uncomfortable embrace, leading Republicans and Beltway conservatives are beginning their quest to distance themselves and the GOP from former President Donald Trump, who shows no sign of going anywhere.
It began with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who helped Trump advance legislation and confirm conservative federal judges, announcing his vote to acquit the ex-president in a speech that sounded more like a conviction. …
… The Wall Street Journal editorial page, highly influential among conservatives, praised McConnell for condemning but acquitting Trump and urged the Republican Party to move on from the polarizing reality television star: “Mr. Trump may run again, but he won’t win another national election. … The country is moving past the Trump presidency, and the GOP will remain in the wilderness until it does too.”
George Will, the dean of Washington conservative columnists and a frequent Trump critic, also weighed in on McConnell’s behalf. …
… Then Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, became the first 2024 GOP aspirant to distance herself from her onetime boss. “We need to acknowledge that he let us down,” she said. “He went down a path he shouldn’t have, and we shouldn’t have followed him, and we shouldn’t have listened to him. And we can’t let that ever happen again.” Haley predicted Trump’s influence would fade, a view echoed by some Republican insiders. …
… The Republican establishment and elite conservative commentators have mobilized against Trump before without much success. There are some data points that suggest it won’t be any easier this time around. A Quinnipiac University poll out Monday found that 87% of Republicans say Trump should be allowed to hold office again. …
