Republicans Order Trump To Win The Second Presidential Debate Or Be Dumped

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:18 pm

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Private polling in both parties is showing that Donald Trump’s decline is much worse than is currently being reported. The situation is so dire that if Trump doesn’t turn it around at the second debate, the Republican Party is planning to abandon him.

The New York Times reported that both parties have private polling showing that Trump’s spiral is worse than is being reported in public polls:

Should Mr. Trump falter badly in his second debate with Hillary Clinton on Sunday in St. Louis, Republican congressional candidates may take it as a cue to flee openly from their nominee, said two senior Republicans involved at high levels of the campaign who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private party strategy.

Mr. Trump has already slipped perceptibly in public polls, trailing widely this week in Pennsylvania and by smaller margins in Florida and North Carolina — three states he cannot afford to lose. But private polling by both parties shows an even more precipitous drop, especially among independent voters, moderate Republicans and women, according to a dozen strategists from both parties who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the data was confidential.

The idea that the Republican Party has a backup plan that involves cutting Trump loose was first reported in August. The debates have always been make or break for Trump regarding continued party support.

Where Trump is different from other recent presidential nominees in both parties is that he is dependent on the Republican Party for his campaign infrastructure. Trump has no data operation, no advertising operation, no get out the vote plan. He has forced all of the responsibility for the nuts and bolts of his campaign on to the RNC.

If the Republican Party cuts off support for Donald Trump, he is doomed.

A bad second debate would send the signal to Republicans that it is time to cut Trump loose. The idea that Trump’s drop in the polls is even worse than has been publicly measured is astounding. The Republican Party’s problems may go a lot deeper than are being reported, and if they appear to be ready to push Captain Trump overboard to save their own hides in November.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association