They aren’t going to support Biden.
Despite previously vowing never to support former President Donald Trump again, some Republicans are reconsidering their stance, driven by their dissatisfaction with President Biden’s policies and leadership.
Eric Levine, a former Nikki Haley supporter and prominent Republican fundraiser, acknowledged that his decision to back Trump again in November was not born out of enthusiasm but rather a sense of having no alternative. He conveyed this sentiment in an essay circulated among his extensive network of GOP donors and activists, admitting that while he had initially sworn off supporting Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, he found himself reversing his position. He began his memo with the reflection, “The adage of ‘never say never’ is a wise one.”
GOP strategist John Feehery suggested that the extent to which “never-Trump” Republicans return to Trump hinges on their level of dissatisfaction with Biden’s policies. For Levine, his choice was driven by his deep offense at Biden’s actions rather than a direct comparison between Biden and Trump. He characterized his decision as not between the two candidates but rather between supporting Trump or abstaining from voting altogether.
With the upcoming Trump-Biden rematch expected to be closely contested, the decisions of these wavering Republicans could sway the outcome. Andrew Smith, Director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, cautioned that it was premature to determine their final choice but noted the tendency of voters to rationalize support for their party’s candidate.
Levine was taken aback by the mixed responses he received from his Republican network after sharing his memo. While some echoed his decision to reluctantly support Trump, others remained staunchly opposed.
Many Republicans who had previously leaned towards Nikki Haley, viewing her as a more moderate alternative to Trump, are now reassessing their positions. Haley’s ability to attract independent and even some Democratic voters during the primaries underscored her appeal to disaffected Republicans. However, figures like New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who initially endorsed Haley, have since announced their intent to vote for Trump, citing their alignment with Republican policies over personal reservations about the former president.
Sununu summarized the prevailing sentiment among these Republicans, asserting that support for Trump is ultimately a vote for the Republican agenda in contrast to perceived shortcomings within Biden’s administration.
