Is the GOP in Disarray?
  • 3 years ago
How is the GOP adapting to its role in opposition? What leaders are coming to the fore and what political battles are they likely to take on next? Donald Trump remains a significant force within the party but are there plans to override his influence from lawmakers on the Hill? We speak to Matt McDermott, VP Whitmann Insight Strategies, Joe Lowndes Professor of Political Science at the University of Oregon and Alex Vogel, GOP Strategist and Lobbyist. SCRIPT Matt McDermott, Whitmann Insight Strategies I'll say the Republican party is a fairly complete disarray at the moment. The GOP may have lost the presidential election, but Donald Trump won over 74 million votes. Add in the gains in congress and a 50/50 Senate, but the party is still trying to figure out a path forward. Instead of retreating into the shade, Donald Trump remains a big influence on the party, and experts say this is confusing the messaging and direction of the party, torn between the Trumpian elements and the more moderate, conventional wing. Joe Lowndes/University of Oregon You know, part of it is that, uh, the devotion to Trump and to to his politics runs to municipal local Republican Party operations up through state legislatures and governors offices all the way to the top. Experts say however, that the real chance for the GOP to put forward a concerted opposition will be in the debate over the infrastructure bill, allowing leaders on the Hill to come to the forefront. ALEX VOGEL GOP Lobbyist, Former Chief Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Leader McCarthy and minority leader, Republican leader McConnell in the Senate are going to have the opportunity for a little bit of regular order opposition as it relates to infrastructure. While the GOP recalibrates as a party in opposition, the Democrats are facing their own internal troubles, struggling to get moderate senators like Joe Mansion to support all of the Biden administration's agenda.
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