I don’t think it’s controversial to say that Republicans should be running away with this election. According to an Ipsos poll released last week, a full 50% of Americans say inflation is their top concern, followed by immigration at 33%. On the economy, voters trust former President Trump over Vice President Harris by 9 points. On immigration, they favor him by 17. And yet, in this very same poll, Trump is losing nationally to Harris. The margin ranges from a statistically insignificant 2 point deficit when those polled are forced to pick from main party candidates to 5 points when third party candidates are included. How is this possible?
Today’s columnist has a theory. And since he’s a Republican strategist rooting for Trump to win, this is legitimate advice, not a gratuitous hit piece. What makes the author’s advice particularly worthwhile is he doesn’t spend time bemoaning the predominantly favorable coverage Harris has received so far. Yes, that coverage has been absurd in places (Why, Time Magazine? Why would this be your cover when Harris wouldn’t even sit down for an interview with you?); but despite this, Trump still has sizable leads on voters’ top two issues. So something else is afoot. If Trump can fix it — and national Democrats should have learned by now not to underestimate him — he can win, maybe handily. If he can’t fix it — and national Republicans should have learned by now that Trump is his own worst enemy — he’ll have no one to blame but himself.