Arizona Delegates’ Secret Plan
Arizona delegates to the Republican National Convention gathered in a Phoenix suburb to prepare for their duties. During this meeting, a secret plan emerged to disrupt Donald Trump’s nomination. Surprisingly, this plot did not originate from “Never Trumpers” but from “America First” believers on the far right. They aimed to release delegates from their pledge to support Trump. This move, requiring support from several state delegations, left many delegates puzzled and alarmed. Some suggested it aimed to block an undesirable running mate or substitute Michael Flynn for Trump if Trump were sentenced to prison.
Trump Campaign’s Response
The Trump campaign acted swiftly to counter this plan and replace the delegates involved. A campaign staffer described this situation as an “existential threat” to Trump’s nomination. Despite reaching an agreement to avoid disruptions at the convention, suspicions lingered about other state delegations. The episode in Arizona highlighted the challenges of organizing next month’s convention in Milwaukee, where many delegates are inclined towards the falsehoods that animate many of Trump’s supporters.
Past Convention Disruptions
In 2016, the Republican convention briefly descended into chaos during a bid by Trump’s opponents to derail his nomination. This year, the Trump campaign has worked to ensure loyalty among delegates, even including individuals linked to the January 6 Capitol attack. However, suspicions of covert saboteurs persist among Trump’s supporters. For example, at the Georgia GOP convention in May, a delegate withdrew after accusations of lobbying for Dominion Voting Systems.
Intra-Party Conflicts
Intra-party conflicts have plagued Republicans, as illustrated by Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy’s resignation, citing internal power struggles. The upcoming convention is intended to be a pro forma event, endorsing a decision already made by Republican primary voters who overwhelmingly backed Trump. Nonetheless, the presentation in Arizona about changing the rules baffled GOP officials and activists.
Motivations Behind the Plan
Some Republicans suggested financial motives behind the delegates’ actions, accusing them of profiting from election integrity issues. Shelby Busch, chair of the Arizona delegation and leader of a political action committee, convened the June meeting where the plan to suspend the convention’s rules was discussed. The Trump campaign responded by recruiting new delegates to replace those involved in the plot.
Resolution and Future Concerns
An agreement was reached where Joe Neglia, another delegate, would step aside while the other delegates could remain. This resolution defused the threat but left some volunteer replacements feeling jilted. The Trump campaign emphasized the importance of maintaining a distraction-free convention to celebrate Trump’s historic nomination.
Rove: Trump Declining in Polls Since Hush Money Conviction
Poll Trends Post-Conviction
Republican strategist Karl Rove noted a decline in Trump’s poll numbers following his New York hush money case conviction. During an interview with Fox News, Rove presented poll data showing a trend towards President Biden since the conviction. According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ’s average of national polls, Trump leads Biden by only 0.6 percentage points.
Significance of the Conviction
Trump became the first former U.S. president to be a convicted felon after a jury found him guilty on all counts of falsifying business records to hide alleged affairs during his 2016 campaign. This historic conviction has significantly impacted Trump’s standing in the polls.
Upcoming Debate
Biden and Trump are set to debate for the first time since 2020, with Rove emphasizing the significance of this debate. He stated that this debate could be the most important presidential debate since at least 1980, highlighting its potential impact on the upcoming election.
Conclusion
The 2016 election demonstrated that relying on polls is not always a guarantee, as Trump defied the odds to win despite predictions to the contrary. This serves as a reminder that unexpected outcomes can occur, making it essential to consider various factors beyond polling data when assessing political prospects.
