Long before former South Carolina governor (and two-time ex-congressman) Mark Sanford announced his intention to explore a Republican presidential primary campaign against incumbent U.S. president Donald Trump, this news outlet editorialized in favor of the S.C. Republican Party (SCGOP) holding a “First in the South” presidential primary.
Why? Because Trump was already facing a GOP challenger – former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld.
Canceling a primary to shield an incumbent from a challenger (even a Quixotic one) would be “one of the most disappointing, anti-democratic displays of subservience to a powerful politician we have ever seen,” we wrote last December.
Also, such a move would likely deprive Trump of a resounding victory in the Palmetto State given the extent to which GOP voters are (for now, anyway) marching in lockstep with his agenda.
Will Trump’s monolithic support among GOP voters persist if the U.S. economy takes a nose dive? Good question …
But this is not an economic or a political question … it is a fundamentally democratic one.
Whatever Trump’s status is (or is going to be) within the GOP, there is no excuse for the party canceling its primary process on his behalf – especially since the incumbent appears likely to be facing at least two Republican challengers this coming winter.
Simply put, a vote must be held …
(Click to view)
(Via: The White House)
If you are a supporter of Trump (above), you really ought to be relishing that possibility …
Assuming the U.S. economy maintains its modest growth between now and next February, Trump would easily crush any Republican challenger in a “First in the South” primary election – especially Sanford, who long ago wore out his welcome among statewide GOP voters.
In other words, there is very little for Trump supporters to fear from this process … and a lot to gain.
Especially if Sanford is his most credible opponent …
Seriously … why would the party not hold a primary under these circumstances?
It makes no sense …
If Sanford enters the 2020 race and the SCGOP refuses to schedule a “First in the South” presidential primary, we will know something is up.
And we suspect we know what that “something” is …
-FITSNews
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