There are no guarantees of republican unity in CPAC

National Harbor, Maryland. —

When she stepped onto the stage of the Conservative Political Action Conference, the audience erupted in thunderous applause.

It was Marjorie Taylor Green, a Georgia congresswoman known for her unwavering loyalty to former President Trump. For the next 10 minutes, she railed against Democratic lawmakers and transgender rights, warning that the “leftists” were “coming after our children.”

Green’s warnings were echoed by other speakers, including former president’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr.

The focus on transgender issues at the annual conference was an attempt to rally conservatives around common interests. But in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, the Republican Party is facing deep divisions that may be impossible to mend. The uncertainty of the outcome of the primaries could jeopardize the party’s chances of returning to the White House.

If Trump wins this nomination, will Republicans and conservative independents follow suit? If he loses, will he run as a third party candidate and take his base with him?

Immediately after Jan. 6 of the uprising, many in the Republican Party turned their backs on Trump. Two years later, it became clear that Trump still had an iron grip on much of the party. But the former president is still fighting to win over independent voters.

This dynamic has put the party leadership in a stalemate. Many believe that without Trump they cannot win. But with him, the general election could prove to be an uphill battle.

Trump already announced his third bid for the White House. So far, only two other candidates have officially challenged Trump for the Republican nomination: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Other potential candidates, including a former vice president Mike Pence and Governor of Florida. Ron DeSantisrates have not yet been announced.

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel sought to demonstrate party unity to voters by requiring mainstream candidates to support the party’s nominee regardless of the outcome of the vote. “You want to make sure there are people on the debate scene who are running for president.” – McDaniel. said Sunday on CNN. “We don’t want people who are running for books, media contracts, or cabinet positions,” she said.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, Haley, who was also Trump’s UN ambassador, said she would keep her promise. “Any one of our people will be better than Biden every day of the week,” Hailey said. “We must remember what the common good is. The common good is to make sure we don’t have a democrat in power.”

Happy Wednesday, Pence rejected to say that he would support Trump’s candidacy. Trump last month, in a radio interview, declined to promise to support the Republican candidate.

Representatives for Trump and Ramaswamy did not respond to a request for comment.

Experts say the purpose of bail is twofold. The first is to encourage anti-Trump candidates to support the former president during the general election in order to present a united front. The second goal is to encourage Trump not to question the party’s process if he loses.

If Trump loses, declares the primary process corrupt, and refuses to give in, he could bring his party to the knee. “There is a real concern that Trump could hurt the candidate if he loses, if he doesn’t support and tell his voters to stay at home,” Republican strategist. Alex Conant said. “The US presidential election is so close that even if a small fraction of Trump supporters stay at home, Biden will win re-election.”

He added, “A lot of Republicans are really concerned that Trump may never support someone who beats him in a primary, simply because we don’t usually associate him with being a gracious loser.”

If Trump wins this nomination, anti-Trump politicians such as former Maryland governor Larry Hogan and former Wyoming state representative. Liz Cheney, who may run for the White House, may withhold his support, again signaling a lack of unity within the party.

“It would be opposite for them to support Trump,” he said. Robert StutzmanRepublican Party strategist from Sacramento.

This moral stance is likely to attract media attention, but is unlikely to have a major impact on the election itself.

Recent polls show that Trump is still the likely leader – even against DeSantis. A February poll from Emerson College shows Trump winning 55% of the vote in the 2024 primary. DeSantis is second with 25% and Pence is third with just 8%.

While polls show Trump is likely to drop out of the primary, his race for the White House can still be tough.

Emerson College vote shows Trump has a three-point lead over Biden in the 2024 general election. Nevertheless, Trump is not well liked by independent and swing voters – demographics are necessary to win.

“Trump can’t increase the base,” Stutzman said. “It is unlikely that he will be able to build a broad coalition.”

Sarah Longwell, a Republican strategist and head of the anti-Trump Republican Accountability Project, said that with Trump in the picture, the NRC could never lead the Republican Party.

“This attempt to rally with that wing of the party that will not agree to a peaceful transfer of power is an inherent conflict,” she said. “I wish them the best of luck in the world, but trying to bring us back to a place where everyone is like they’re on the same wavelength is just a fantasy.”

“There is no getting around Trump; You must go through it,” she said. “There are no promises the RNC can make to make change so dynamic.”

She added, “This is the price RNC has to pay to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Donald Trump.”