On the day of the first Republican nominating contest, a Democratic National Committee memo is painting the remaining Republican field as a group of politicians driven so far to the right by former President Donald Trump that none of them can win a general election.
"The competition for the MAGA base has resulted in the most extreme, far right GOP field in history," DNC chair Jamie Harrison said in a memo shared first with CBS News.
The memo offers a glimpse into the thinking of President Biden's allies as the GOP enters a critical stage of the 2024 election — and following a CBS News poll released Sunday that showed a higher percentage of likely voters nationwide in a general election choosing any of the three of the likely GOP nominees for president over Mr. Biden. In the poll, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley led by eight points, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by three and Trump by two over Biden.
Republican Candidates Continue to Push Extreme Agenda, According to Analyst
A political analyst argues that while Donald Trump has set new lows in this election cycle, candidates Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are trying to outdo Trump with their own base. The analyst points to their record on anti-abortion laws and opposition to the Affordable Care Act as evidence of this. Incumbent candidates, like Joe Biden, typically have an advantage due to the polarization of the opposing party during the primary race. However, Haley and DeSantis will need to convince members of the opposing party to vote for them in the general election.
Despite the promises made by his opponents, Trump is working hard to maintain the loyalty of his base. He recently criticized DeSantis and Haley, claiming they will never secure the border.
The analyst also highlights the impact of a more conservative GOP nominee on down-ballot races.
"The GOP's pursuit of the MAGA base has resulted in them being burdened with unpopular policies that will hinder their chances in a general election and also prove to be a liability for other Republican candidates," the author stated.
