Donald Trump has been a polarizing figure in American politics since he first announced his candidacy for president in 2015. Despite his controversial statements and actions, he managed to win the Republican nomination and ultimately the presidency in 2016. However, as the 2020 election approaches, it is becoming increasingly clear that Trump has an electability problem. The question is, does the GOP know or care?
Trump’s approval ratings have consistently been low throughout his presidency, hovering around 40%. This is a significant drop from the approval ratings of past presidents at this point in their terms. Additionally, polls show that Trump is trailing behind his potential Democratic opponents in key swing states. This is not a good sign for his re-election prospects.
One of the reasons for Trump’s electability problem is his inability to expand his base. He won the presidency in 2016 by appealing to a narrow group of voters in key swing states. However, he has not been able to broaden his appeal beyond this base. In fact, his divisive rhetoric and policies have turned off many moderate and independent voters.
Another factor contributing to Trump’s electability problem is his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Americans are unhappy with his response to the crisis, which has been characterized by misinformation, downplaying the severity of the virus, and a lack of leadership. This has led to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead the country during a crisis.
Despite these warning signs, the GOP seems to be sticking with Trump. Many Republican leaders have remained silent on his electability problem, instead choosing to focus on attacking his Democratic opponents. This is a risky strategy, as it ignores the fact that Trump’s re-election prospects are in jeopardy.
The GOP’s reluctance to acknowledge Trump’s electability problem may be due to a number of factors. Some may be afraid of angering Trump and his base, while others may believe that he still has a chance of winning. However, ignoring the warning signs could have serious consequences for the party in the long run.
In conclusion, Trump has an electability problem that the GOP doesn’t seem to know or care about. His low approval ratings, inability to expand his base, and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic are all warning signs that his re-election prospects are in jeopardy. The GOP’s reluctance to acknowledge these issues could have serious consequences for the party in the long run. It remains to be seen whether they will take action to address Trump’s electability problem before it’s too late.