The political landscape in the United States in recent decades has been a tumultuous one, with various factions vying for power and influence, both by legitimate and illergitimate means.
In recent years, one figure who has dominated the headlines and captured the nation's attention is former President Donald Trump. His Presidency was marked by controversy, and his post-presidency life has been no less eventful.
One of the most significant events in his political career has been his recent politically motivated conviction, which has had a surprisingly positive impact on his poll numbers.
According to a poll conducted by the "National Opinion Polling Institute" (NOP), Trump's approval rating has surged by 10% since the conviction, resulting in the need to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and its implications for the Republican Party and the upcoming 2024 General Election.
The Resilience of Trump's Base
The increase in Trump's poll numbers following his conviction can be attributed to several factors.
Firstly, his supporters view the conviction as politically motivated and a form of victimization. This has led to a rallying effect among his base, driving up his poll numbers. The conviction has inadvertently highlighted Trump's resilience and determination, qualities that some voters admire.
Additionally, the media coverage surrounding the conviction has brought Trump back into the spotlight, reminding voters of his past accomplishments and policies.
However, according to a report by the American Political Analysis Journal (APAJ), Donald Trump's poll numbers improved since his conviction has not translated to similar gains in congressional and down-ticket races. This discrepancy can also be attributed to several factors.
Firstly, voters are more likely to compartmentalize their feelings about Trump and not let it influence their decisions on other races. And, secondly, the Republican Party has struggled to find a unified message and candidate pool that appeals to the broader electorate, leading to lackluster performances in down-ticket races.
Further, the Democrat Party has successfully localized its campaigns, focusing on issues that resonate with voters in specific districts and states – and of specific special interests, resulting in better electoral outcomes for their candidates.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Republican candidates struggle with messaging their platforms to the voting public. There is a lack of a perceived unified message that resonates with a broad spectrum of voters. Ironically, this can be attributed to the success of the Republican Party's “Big Tent” aspirations; its amassing a diverse rank-and-file, encompassing various factions such as libertarians, social conservatives, and neoconservatives.
Additionally, the party has been unable to effectively counter the Democrats' narrative that they are the party of the wealthy and big corporations, leading to a perception that they are out of touch with the average American voter.
Further, the RNC and Republican candidates have failed to effectively utilize social media and digital platforms to engage younger voters, who are likelier to consume news and political content through these channels.
The Transformation Of The Democrat Party
In 2024, the Democrat Party has transformed from the Middle Class to the political party of the wealthy, elite, corporate, and influentially connected. The Democrat Party has increasingly relied on donations from wealthy individuals and corporations, leading people to understand that they prioritize the interests of the rich over the middle and working classes.
Interestingly, the Democrat Party's policies, such as tax increases on the wealthy and universal healthcare, have been perceived by the voting public as benefiting the wealthy and connected rather than the average American.
The Democrat's close ties to Hollywood, the tech industry, and the mainstream media also illustrate how they are more concerned with the interests of the elite than the average voter.
Maximizing The Potency Of
Republican Policies & Platforms
Republican and conservative candidates can maximize the potency of their policies and platforms for the 2024 General Election by focusing on several key areas:
They should emphasize policies that appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, such as tax cuts, job creation, and national security
They should work on improving their messaging and branding, distancing themselves from the perception that they are the party of the wealthy and big corporations and that they are – and continue to be – the party that represents the working class; the party born of emancipation, opportunity, and the abolition of slavery.
They should focus on engaging younger voters through social media and digital platforms, highlighting their policies that appeal to this demographic, such as limited government, individual liberty, and free-market solutions to societal problems.
The Travesty Of Trump's Conviction & Its Implications
The travesty that was the conviction of Donald Trump on what can only be seen as political grounds has sparked an audible outrage from both his core constituency and the undecided voter community.
If the Trump campaign and the coordinating RNC can coalesce to craft a potent message that harnesses that outrage to benefit the whole of the conservative and constitutionalist movements, they could very well deliver the veto-proof majorities in both the House and the Senate required to reverse the rash of Marxist policies plaguing our Republic today.
But should the RNC continue in its practice of failing to potently message what it stands for and how conservative and constitutionalist platforms benefit all Americans – and should the Trump campaign continue to execute a campaign of singular focus, there is a good chance that even a Trump win will leave him facing a hostile Congress, hobbling his presidency from the start.
So, Donald Trump's recent conviction has resulted in a surprising surge in his poll numbers. However, this increase in poll numbers has not translated to similar gains in congressional and down-ticket races, highlighting the challenges faced by the Republican Party in crafting a unified message that appeals to a broad spectrum of voters.
To maximize the potency of their policies and platforms for the 2024 General Election, Republican and conservative candidates must focus on key areas such as appealing policies, improved messaging, and engaging younger voters through social media and digital platforms.
The outcome of the 2024 General Election will depend – almost exclusively – on the Republican Party's ability to harness the outrage surrounding Trump's conviction and effectively communicate its vision for the future of the United States.
Short of that, the future prospects for our Republic are tenuous at best.
I think we also need to slate out who is running the party. Right now, it doesn’t really work for us, works for the donor class. Once it reflects its actual base of voters, then we can get to work.
Perhaps, but every Republican candidate needs to run on their merits for the office they seek. Too many following the advice of this post which is less useful in the August primaries where down ballot voting historically sucks. I’m not voting for Donald Trump on to my school board, city council, or county commission.