the next GOP candidate after Trump

[win win]

Which type will be the next presidential candidate for the GOP ?

[Stranger in a strange land]

Either Trump himself or one of his kids.

[Buffalo Mayor Young Kim]

I mean, other than optics, is there a difference?

[Buzz]

Hoping Trump.


Secondary picks would be Hawley or Cotton

[Inmate Trump]

If Trump had lost 2020 by a landslide then I'd say the GOP would probably move on from his style of "politics."

But if he does indeed lose 2020, it won't be a landslide...so Trumpism is here to stay.

The 2024 GOP primary will have a Trump in it, maybe even Trump himself.

[Hnv1]

Phil Scott

He'll be the COVID hero. will win independents and moderate democrats. Could pull good numbers in the rust belt.

[Rules for me, but not for thee]

Nikki Haley/Kristi Noem

[VBM]

Trump

[Agonized-Statism]

If they were smart, they would pick a candidate who could sell Trump's protectionist and anti-corruption campaign to a broader, non-white audience, who can play on Americans' Sinophobia and foreign policy concerns better than an already hawkish Biden administration (promising competent but quick engagements overseas à la Nixon '68), with a temperament that doesn't turn more affluent white women off. More likely, the populist movement produces a Hawley candidacy, which I doubt plays to these strengths.

I do think economic populist rhetoric will play a big role in the party going forward in response to a twice-devastated global economy, going off how much the Great Recession powered the Tea Party during the Obama administration. I don't see an opening for a Romney or a Ryan, nor would that be a smart move as those kinds of candidates already proved they can't win.

[Inmate Trump]

Nikki Haley/Kristi Noem

Nikki Haley/Kristi Noem vs Kamala Harris/Gretchen Whitmer

It'd be fun to have an all female race.

[Ferguson97]

Trump

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

Missing option: Ted Cruz-ish TEA Party / Freedumb Caucus candidate.

I think a lot depends on how the 2022 midterms go.

Scenario 1: Republicans get pounded, with outspoken Trumpers and Qanon people going down everywhere, either through primary challenges or the general election.

Scenario 2: Republicans double down on MAGA with lukewarm results.

Scenario 3: MAGA red tsunami.

Another unknown is if the MAGA movement can survive without the charisma of its cult leader. Does MAGA just kind of fade back into the TEA Party / Freedom faction? Is there really a difference? Which would Tom Cotton count as?

[Ljube]

Nikki Haley/Kristi Noem

[R.P. McM]

If they were smart, they would pick a candidate who could sell Trump's protectionist and anti-corruption campaign to a broader, non-white audience, who can play on Americans' Sinophobia and foreign policy concerns better than an already hawkish Biden administration (promising competent but quick engagements overseas à la Nixon '68), with a temperament that doesn't turn more affluent white women off. More likely, the populist movement produces a Hawley candidacy, which I doubt plays to these strengths.

I do think economic populist rhetoric will play a big role in the party going forward in response to a twice-devastated global economy, going off how much the Great Recession powered the Tea Party during the Obama administration. I don't see an opening for a Romney or a Ryan, nor would that be a smart move as those kinds of candidates already proved they can't win.

There's no question the electorate is braindead enough to believe many things diametrically at odds with reality. Working-class whites, most notably. They won't rest until bribery is legal, unions are nonexistent, healthcare is a luxury, the estate tax is repealed, Wall Street is deregulated, and — most crucially — Donald Trump's tax liability has been reduced to $0.00 (legally).

[HisGrace]

Obama "broke" a lot of Republicans and they're insane now. Expecting another celebrity candidate like Tucker Carlson or the MyPillow Guy.

[SN2903]

Hoping Trump.


Secondary picks would be Hawley or Cotton

Agree but it's not over yet Trump will still eek this out in my opinion.

[Tekken_Guy]

Hawley sound like a good candidate. Maybe DeSantis.

Here’s what I’d like to see from them:

-Expand outreach to black and Hispanic voters. Rather than using racist stereotypes, talk about how Democratic policies have not done anything to help them.
-Move leftward on health care. A lof of their base would be really hurt without the ACA.
-Tone down the COVID denialism. Legitimate criticism of lockdowns, school closures, and the economic impacts is very different from denying the pandemic is real.
-Take a harder stance on sexual assault. Don’t dismiss it when it’s in your own party.
-Law and order works, but don’t try to smear peaceful protesters as rioters.
-Economic populism. That’s the future.
-Talk about China a lot. Trade protectionism may be better than it seems.
-Immigration should be less racialized.

[Buzz]

People thinking Nikki Haley will be the nominee is just lol

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

Hoping Trump.

Secondary picks would be Hawley or Cotton

Ah, the GOP's fascism caucus. A classic choice!

[Agonized-Statism]

Also important to note is that while Trump himself might not run, especially considering his age, he might start a news network like he planned in the event of a 2016 loss. A candidate from the populist wing with his blessing would effectively be a Trump surrogate as a Vice President Harris run would be for Biden. Basically, a rematch without actually being a rematch.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

Also important to note is that while Trump himself might not run, especially considering his age, he might start a news network like he planned in the event of a 2016 loss. A candidate from the populist wing with his blessing would effectively be a Trump surrogate as a Vice President Harris run would be for Biden. Basically, a rematch without actually being a rematch.

The important thing for the MAGA movement is to keep the momentum going. Trump needs to be front and center, and to keep rallies packed and MC for the appointed successor. The "elitists stole the election from us and we need to get our country back" message will resonate with a lot of these people.

Of course, the MAGA base could just get fatigued or stop believing in Trump because he lost, and they like Presidents who don't lose.

[MargieCat]

Cotton, Rubio, Haley, Carlson, Cruz, or Pence, if not a Trump kid.

[Bismarck]

Haley, Desantis, Cruz, Jr, Pence are the most likely candidates in my mind.

I’d like to see Haley-Hawley. Seems like a winning combo.

[Agonized-Statism]

Also important to note is that while Trump himself might not run, especially considering his age, he might start a news network like he planned in the event of a 2016 loss. A candidate from the populist wing with his blessing would effectively be a Trump surrogate as a Vice President Harris run would be for Biden. Basically, a rematch without actually being a rematch.

The important thing for the MAGA movement is to keep the momentum going. Trump needs to be front and center, and to keep rallies packed and MC for the appointed successor. The "elitists stole the election from us and we need to get our country back" message will resonate with a lot of these people.

Of course, the MAGA base could just get fatigued or stop believing in Trump because he lost, and they like Presidents who don't lose.

Very true. There's a divide that I think will become more apparent going forward between the developing right-wing populist ideology that propelled Trump to victory and the Trump-centric machine. Some populists might be critical of Trump and claim to better stand for the ideals he campaigned on. Some are there for Trump the personality, others are there for Trump the idea. They'll have to make a choice when there's a crowded field again.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Mix of 1,3 and 4