A relevant question —
What if Trump decides he can’t run?
Or what if he is so badly damaged by January they are forced to choose someone else?
Who is the GOP nominee?
Note that they are all evil fascists — and in fact may be worse than Trump because many of them are more competent (low bar). They have all endorsed Project 2025 which is basically a fascist takeover of the federal govt.
Who it should be:
Tim Scott
He would have support from evangelicals, has kept his hands off criticizing MAGA and Trump and mostly has their support, and would get enough black support (not a lot but doesn’t take much) to upend the race — especially in a place like Georgia or North Carolina. It won’t be Scott because, well, I don’t see the GOP nominating a black man. He’s probably first in line for Veep for Trump or anyone else.
Next up:
Asa Hutchinson
The GOP version of Joe Biden — a guy whose been around forever and somewhat knows what he’s doing. He would be the fallback candidate, plays well across GOP constituencies and I could see a Hutchinson/Scott-Haley ticket being salable. I doubt he beats Biden because the MAGAs stay home for the most part, but he would not bleed support in House-Senate-local races.
Nikki Haley
See Scott. She would upend the race as well, except that she’s not all that impressive — I’d like to see how she holds up under 11 hours of testimony. Also on short Veep list — its probably either her or Scott depending on nominee.
John Thune
Going with someone not running — the most generic Republican from a safely red state and completely bland, but maybe that would be appreciated after Trump. Thune/Haley checks some boxes and probably wins the 2020 statest Trump won with little effort and cuts their losses locally.
Oh shit, no they wouldn’t — would they:
Ramaswanay
Legit scary — when you listen to his ideas, he’s like Trump and Buttigieg had a child. Articulate but unlike Pete, so so so wrong. He has the arrogance of a youthful billionaire and is holeheartedly backing the 2025 plan and generally open fascism. You could see the MAGAs turning to him if Trump is unavailable as he gives them some of the same vibes.
Who it won’t be:
DeSantis
He is the scariest fascist, but fortunately he’s not very likable (a fascist, unlikable, surely you jest). Democratic ads should show a picture of DeSantis with Harrison Ford as Indy saying “I hate these guys”
Or… if Trump implodes is there someone else who will emerge?
