Numbers show Trump is more popular than stated

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Aug 2022 16:52

Vote results show there are people who still want Trump.

Donald Trump may be having a comeback to political life.

Donald Trump's loosening grip on the Republican Party may be overstated, as per evidence provided by primary results like Arizona and Michigan.

Candidates supported by Trump have garnered wins in the Senate primary in Arizona, the Republican Party governor's vote in Michigan, and House and secretary of state primaries.

All in all, the results show that Trump is still a powerful figure in the party, although questions about his viability as a presidential candidate in 2024 have been on the rise, especially after allegations accusing Trump of being behind the Capitol riots in addition to his refusal to condemn his supporters.

“I do think it should put to rest this idea that I think certain people in the party were wishcasting that Trump was losing influence when very clearly he hasn’t been,” said Andy Surabian, a strategist for the Republican Party and former Trump White House official.

Trump demonstrated a fairly weak standing in Georgia's primaries and subsequent runoffs, as a number of his backed candidates lost. Last month, a poll conducted by the New York Times showed Republican voters are rifted regarding Trump's re-election in 2024.

However, Tuesday's primary results were, in general, a show of success for Trump.

In Arizona, Blake Masters prevailed as a Republican, in addition to Kari Lake, who is also backed by Trump in the gubernatorial primary in Arizona. Mark Finchem also won his primary in the same context.

In Michigan, furthermore, Tudor Dixon won the governor's nomination after Trump declared his backing. Pete Meijer narrowly lost to John Gibbs, who had Trump's backing.

Trump's significant losses, however, are in Washington, where 2 Congress members who voted to impeach him after the January 6 riots were on track to win primaries.

“Endorsements don’t get any more powerful or conclusive than the Endorsements of last night. I wonder if anyone will write or report that? Just asking?” Trump posted Wednesday morning on Truth Social. “Ran the entire board!” he added.

Despite these warm wins, Trump's committed critics, for example, Representative Liz Cheney, have been voting to impeach the former president while being part of the investigation committee looking into the riots.

“Trump should be buoyed by his candidates’ performance last night. After Cheney’s destruction coming up, Trump will be in a prime position to launch his campaign and cruise smoothly through his primary,” said John Thomas, a Republican consultant who works on House campaigns. Cheney will also have a primary election on August 16.

Trump remains a dominant figure in the Republican party; however, he will have to pass the hurdles of the next vote, which will take place in November.