It is cliché to say, “this election is the most important election of our lifetime.” So, instead, I will simply say this election presents serious ramifications for the future of the Republican Party.
Will Republicans settle for yesterday’s stale past, today’s new with subtle nuances, or the future?
Republicans are stuck. We have been for three election cycles; hostage to a single politician, obsessesd with past grievances and lies, and no plan to get unstuck.
Republicans will remain stuck until someone steps forward to challenege and condemn the past and today’s 2.0 version.
Donald Trump represents yesterday’s stale past. He’s responsible for three consecutive elections of Republican losses and underperformance. And yet, Donald Trump has managed to hold the GOP hostage despite his focus on personal vendettas, political grievances, and falsehoods.
Sixty percent of Americans don’t believe Trump should run for president, and this includes thirty percent of Republicans according to the new NBC News poll.
Despite these abysmal polling numbers Trump still leads the primary field for the Republican nomination. Only two resaons can explain this bizarre scenario. Voters are crazy or they haven’t found their alternative. I choose to believe the latter.
Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016 because he faced the only politician he could beat. He will never have this luxury again. If Trump is the Republican nominee in 2024, he will lose and Republicans will lose even more.
There’s no easy way to put it. Ron DeSantis has stumbled since his overwhelming reelection and being talked about as the candidate to stop and beat Trump.
However, he appears to be Trump version 2.0 rather than a Republican with a different direction and new ideas.
DeSantis has proven to be a flip-flopper. He is scared to take on Trump or counterpunch effectively when attacked. Donors are fleeing his campaign. Former colleagues are coming forward talking about his aloofness and poor people skills.
The DeSantis strategy appears to be Trump version 2.0; tweak here, tweak there Ron DeSantis still remains the second choice for the Republican nomination. Time is still on his side to find a coherent strategy and message that doesn’t resemble Trump version 2.0.
This brings us to Tim Scott. Everyone agrees he is a true and proven conservative. He is full of charisma. He is affable. He discusses and debates issues with a brand of conservatism that doesn’t alienate voters. He is an optimist. And Scott’s message focuses on the future of America and all Americans.
Scott not only possesses a brand of conservatism that is inviting, different, and refreshing; he is a proven fundraiser. A great message and narrative can not be told without the resources needed to advertise it on a large scale.
The early primary calendar fits Scott’s conservatism and message better than any other candidate seeking the Republican nomination. Scott is not shy to talk about his faith and testimony. Iowa and South Carolina primary voters are largely made up of evangelicals – a constituency Scott has always had a close relationship.
There is still a great deal of time before voters begin to cast their votes. However, Tim Scott is well positioned, and perhaps best positioned, to take advantage of his strengths and the primary calendar.
I believe Tim Scott’s brand of conservatism could save the Republican Party.
Alfredo Rodriguez III is the founder and president of Dyce Communications, a national strategic communications, public affairs, media and Republican political consulting firm.
