Many House and Senate Republicans on Monday decried the prospect of former President Donald Trump launching a third presidential bid this week, a sign of his dwindling support on Capitol Hill after years of controversy and scandal and the party’s disappointing midterm performance. their.
In interviews with a few dozen Republicans in both houses, very few were willing to entertain a 2024 nomination — instead pointing to their hope that another candidate will emerge or that the field will be large enough for voters to pick someone. another that could appeal to middle-of-the-road voters.
“I want someone who will unite our party,” said South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, declining to say whether he would endorse Trump. “This is how we win elections. A reasonable man who would unite the party.”
Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson added of Trump: “Let’s see who runs. I personally don’t think it’s good for the party. … I think his policies were good. I just don’t need all the drama with it.”
That sentiment was echoed by the former president’s onetime allies — underscoring how their party’s de facto leader is increasingly alienated on Capitol Hill — especially after last Tuesday’s election.
“Yet?” Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw said when asked about the prospect of Trump running again.
Asked if he would get involved in the primary, Crenshaw said, “Hell no.”
“None of us have a right to these jobs,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, a Trump ally and Republican in North Dakota, when asked about the potential 2024 bid. “He’s certainly not entitled to it. And I’m certainly not going to make any decision (to approve) that anytime soon.”
Cramer said it would be better if more candidates ran in 2024. “I think we’re all better off if there are more of them on the stage.”
Other rival candidates began to float. GOP Sen. Jerry Moran said he had his eye on fellow Kansan and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott.
“I think we have a lot of Republicans who are interested in being our candidate for president,” Moran said when asked about Trump. “And I’m interested in letting the American people make that decision. … And I’m interested in seeing these people rise to the top.”
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Florida, declined to say whether she would endorse Trump, saying, “Let me tell you something: I know the next Republican presidential nominee is coming from Florida.” (The state’s governor-elect, Ron DeSantis, is becoming a favorite among Washington Republicans.)
Several Republicans on Monday accused Trump of promoting lackluster candidates and being obsessed with losing the 2020 election, undermining the case they’ve tried to make against Democrats this year.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said it’s clear that “re-election in 2020 is not a winning strategy.”
Others agreed.
“I think looking ahead is always a better campaign strategy,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. “Looking back at 2020 it obviously didn’t work.”
In private, the view was harsher. One moderate GOP congressman said of a Trump presidential bid: “It’s like we’re in season 7, 8 of ‘The Apprentice.’ People are tired of it, they want to turn the channel. Let’s find something else.”
And other longtime Trump critics, such as Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, wanted nothing to do with a 2024 Trump bid.
“I think President Trump and the denial of the election has been an albatross around the neck of the Republicans,” Romney said. “And honestly, I think it’s a long time on the mountain. We have lost three games with him. And I’d like to see someone from the bench, come in and take their place and lead our party and help lead the country.”
Others were slow to embrace the former president.
“That’s his decision,” Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said when asked about Trump 2024. “I think every member should look and see what’s in the field out there.”
But Trump’s former vice president has at least one supporter on Capitol Hill — his brother.
“I’m for my brother,” Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, said of former Vice President Mike Pence. “Absolutely. I hope my brother runs.”
title: “Trump S 2024 Bid Is Drawing A Backlash From Hill Republicans "
ShowToc: true
date: “2022-11-17”
author: “Brandon Edelen”
Many House and Senate Republicans on Monday decried the prospect of former President Donald Trump launching a third presidential bid this week, a sign of his dwindling support on Capitol Hill after years of controversy and scandal and the party’s disappointing midterm performance. their.
In interviews with a few dozen Republicans in both houses, very few were willing to entertain a 2024 nomination — instead pointing to their hope that another candidate will emerge or that the field will be large enough for voters to pick someone. another that could appeal to middle-of-the-road voters.
“I want someone who will unite our party,” said South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, declining to say whether he would endorse Trump. “This is how we win elections. A reasonable man who would unite the party.”
Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson added of Trump: “Let’s see who runs. I personally don’t think it’s good for the party. … I think his policies were good. I just don’t need all the drama with it.”
That sentiment was echoed by the former president’s onetime allies — underscoring how their party’s de facto leader is increasingly alienated on Capitol Hill — especially after last Tuesday’s election.
“Yet?” Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw said when asked about the prospect of Trump running again.
Asked if he would get involved in the primary, Crenshaw said, “Hell no.”
“None of us have a right to these jobs,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, a Trump ally and Republican in North Dakota, when asked about the potential 2024 bid. “He’s certainly not entitled to it. And I’m certainly not going to make any decision (to approve) that anytime soon.”
Cramer said it would be better if more candidates ran in 2024. “I think we’re all better off if there are more of them on the stage.”
Other rival candidates began to float. GOP Sen. Jerry Moran said he had his eye on fellow Kansan and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott.
“I think we have a lot of Republicans who are interested in being our candidate for president,” Moran said when asked about Trump. “And I’m interested in letting the American people make that decision. … And I’m interested in seeing these people rise to the top.”
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Florida, declined to say whether she would endorse Trump, saying, “Let me tell you something: I know the next Republican presidential nominee is coming from Florida.” (The state’s governor-elect, Ron DeSantis, is becoming a favorite among Washington Republicans.)
Several Republicans on Monday accused Trump of promoting lackluster candidates and obsessing over losing the 2020 election, undermining the case they’ve tried to make against Democrats this year.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said it’s clear that “re-election in 2020 is not a winning strategy.”
Others agreed.
“I think looking ahead is always a better campaign strategy,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. “Looking back at 2020 it obviously didn’t work.”
In private, the view was harsher. One moderate GOP congressman said of a Trump presidential bid: “It’s like we’re in season 7, 8 of ‘The Apprentice.’ People are tired of it, they want to turn the channel. Let’s find something else.”
And other longtime Trump critics, such as Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, wanted nothing to do with a 2024 Trump bid.
“I think President Trump and the denial of the election has been an albatross around the neck of the Republicans,” Romney said. “And honestly, I think it’s a long time on the mountain. We have lost three games with him. And I’d like to see someone from the bench, come in and take their place and lead our party and help lead the country.”
Others were slow to embrace the former president.
“That’s his decision,” Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said when asked about Trump 2024. “I think every member should look and see what’s in the field out there.”
But Trump’s former vice president has at least one supporter on Capitol Hill — his brother.
“I’m for my brother,” Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, said of former Vice President Mike Pence. “Absolutely. I hope my brother runs.”
