Republican rivals of former President Donald Trump are coming to his defense, criticizing Maine's Democratic Secretary of State for removing Trump's name from the GOP primary ballot. They argue that the decision should be left to the voters, not the courts. Privately, Trump's advisers see these ballot cases as more advantageous than his other legal battles. They believe it allows them to portray the situation as political persecution, with Democrats attempting to block Trump from running against President Joe Biden.
The Trump campaign is receiving support not only from Republicans who back him but also from those who do not typically support him, including some Democrats. They plan to highlight the contrast between the states where Trump's name remained on the ballot, including both Democratic and Republican-led states, and the specific cases in Colorado and Maine where rulings went against Trump. By doing so, they aim to make a political case for voter choice and paint the decisions as driven by partisan interests.
Interestingly, Trump's team seems less concerned about these ballot cases compared to other legal challenges they are facing. They are confident that the cases will ultimately reach the Supreme Court, and they believe Trump's name will appear on the ballot in all 50 states.
While some Republican rivals of Trump are vocal in their opposition to him, they find themselves in a delicate position. They cannot afford to alienate his base if they hope to compete against him in the 2024 primary. Political strategists acknowledge that criticizing the ballot cases would only weaken their standing with Republican voters.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has been known to speak his mind about Trump, remarked that the situation could work to Trump's advantage. He suggested that Trump's ability to play the victim and rally his base by presenting himself as unfairly targeted will appeal to his supporters. Christie described Trump as a 'professional whiner' and suggested that his opponents must navigate carefully to avoid being perceived as weak.
Democrats, on the other hand, hold concerns about the potential ramifications of these cases. They fear that if Republican-led states attempt to keep President Biden or other Democratic candidates off the ballot in future elections, it could further undermine democratic norms and tumultuous partisan divisions.
Some prominent Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, have even floated the idea of pardoning Trump if elected. This move is seen as an attempt to secure the support of Trump's base, although critics argue that it raises questions about accountability for his actions.
Overall, the ballot cases have presented a unique opportunity for Trump's campaign to rally support and paint his legal battles as politically motivated. The response from Republicans and the support they have received is seen as a positive development for Trump's presidential ambitions.
