What's even sillier, as you pointed out in your earlier column on this topic, they both HAD TO KNOW the question was coming, and therefore should have had a canned prepared answer for it, even if it wasn't a great answer. Something along the lines of, "I would implement/reinstate Trump-era policies on X, Y and Z", but I would avoid antagonizing our allies, gushing over our enemies, and picking petty fights with the media and celebrities."
Plenty of Republicans have shown they can distance themselves from Trump without alienating the GOP base and win elections, as we saw in the mid-terms. Meanwhile those that attach themselves to his hip go down with him.
On Policy issues John, I'm not sure I disagree a lot with Trump. Yes, in hindsight some of his policies could have been better. But for both Nikki and Tim, today probably isn't the time to differentiate themselves. Plenty of time to do that down the road.
The problem with that strategy is that they're already being asked, point-blank in front of millions of Republican primary voters, how they would serve differently than the guy they'll need to beat if they want to become the nominee. In refusing to answer, they look so weak, cowardly, and deferential to Trump (a guy who would have a harder time than any of them in the general election), that they're leaving no case for why Republicans should choose them over him. I can tell you right now that just being younger and non-white isn't going to cut it with the base. And yes, I agree that they still have plenty of time to make a coherent case for themselves, but tripping right out of the gate is an unforced momentum-killer. Haley's week-long, media-heavy campaign roll-out (which was supposed to be exciting and energetic) basically took her from being tied in the polls with Liz Cheney (who the base hates), to just barely edging out Liz Cheney. A huge wasted opportunity.
What's even sillier, as you pointed out in your earlier column on this topic, they both HAD TO KNOW the question was coming, and therefore should have had a canned prepared answer for it, even if it wasn't a great answer. Something along the lines of, "I would implement/reinstate Trump-era policies on X, Y and Z", but I would avoid antagonizing our allies, gushing over our enemies, and picking petty fights with the media and celebrities."
Plenty of Republicans have shown they can distance themselves from Trump without alienating the GOP base and win elections, as we saw in the mid-terms. Meanwhile those that attach themselves to his hip go down with him.
Exactly right. If they need a template for how to do it, Brian Kemp is a good person to look at.
On Policy issues John, I'm not sure I disagree a lot with Trump. Yes, in hindsight some of his policies could have been better. But for both Nikki and Tim, today probably isn't the time to differentiate themselves. Plenty of time to do that down the road.
The problem with that strategy is that they're already being asked, point-blank in front of millions of Republican primary voters, how they would serve differently than the guy they'll need to beat if they want to become the nominee. In refusing to answer, they look so weak, cowardly, and deferential to Trump (a guy who would have a harder time than any of them in the general election), that they're leaving no case for why Republicans should choose them over him. I can tell you right now that just being younger and non-white isn't going to cut it with the base. And yes, I agree that they still have plenty of time to make a coherent case for themselves, but tripping right out of the gate is an unforced momentum-killer. Haley's week-long, media-heavy campaign roll-out (which was supposed to be exciting and energetic) basically took her from being tied in the polls with Liz Cheney (who the base hates), to just barely edging out Liz Cheney. A huge wasted opportunity.