GOP's new direction: Embracing economic populism, isolationism abroad

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Politico + Agencies
18 Jul 2024 03:11

The GOP is undergoing a transformation driven by economic, demographic, and cultural changes, according to a report by Politico grounded in the most recent Republican National Conference.

Listen

Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP)

The recent National Conference of the Republican Party (RNC) showcased "a new kind of Republican Party," according to a piece published on Politico. This transformation was symbolized, by the RNC's large icons of its candidate, Donald Trump, cowboy hats bearing his image, and red signs featuring Trump and his vice-presidential nominee, James David Vance.

The party is changing, Politico wrote, not just in appearance but substantively, by increasingly adopting economic populism domestically and isolationism abroad. The article noted Vance's statement that the party is going through a "late Republican period" and needs to "get pretty wild, and pretty far out there."

According to Politico, it’s the result of a combination of economic, demographic, and cultural shifts, including the rise of a new labor movement that the GOP finds itself increasingly drawn to, at least in name.

Former Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff, Marc Short, commented "I think what we’re witnessing now is a full-on frontal assault on conservatism," adding "That’s an enormous departure from where our party has been and I don’t think it’s a prescription for success."

It is important to note that the Republican Party officially selected Trump as its presidential candidate on Monday. During the national conference, Trump unveiled his vice-presidential pick, preferring Vance over other potential candidates like South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who were considered possible choices by US media.

Sources involved in Trump's campaign told The Independent they are "99% certain" that the 39-year-old Ivy League graduate, referring to Vance, will receive the approval. They mentioned that Vance took an "aggressive stance" after a gunman fired several shots at Trump during a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

On X, Vance blamed statements by senior Democrats, including US President Joe Biden, for inciting the attack, which resulted in the death of one person, severe injuries to two others, and injuries to the former president.