by Jacqueline Stoughton
Donald Trump is putting in the effort this time about his run for presidency, although his strategies and tactics may not be in the best interest of the Republican party as they attempt to reclaim the White House.
Trump is know for his blunt, derogatory comments towards women and immigrants, provocative language and bad temper. All qualities that while are attracting much attention to him, is also simultaneously damaging the image of the other Republican candidates.
“Any candidate that allows Trump to dictate the conversation about what they’re campaigning on is going to be harmed irreparably,” said Josh Holmes, Republican strategists, to the New York Times. “And to the extent that there are mainstream candidates dragged into the musings of Trump on a day-to-day basis is really bad news for us.”
Trump began his campaign by declaring Mexican immigrants to be “rapists and drug traffickers.” For a party that already struggles to appeal to Hispanic and non-white communities, Trump isn’t making that seemingly impossible task any easier for Republicans to accomplish.
His latest attack targeted running mate Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish during a campaign event, in an attempt to repair Hispanic relations.
“He’s a nice man. But he should really set the example by speaking English while in the United States,” said Trump to Breitbart News.
While Trump has surprisingly been doing well in the polls of white voters, according to a recent ABC News/ Washington Post poll, 15 percent of both African Americans and Hispanics view him unfavorable, while over 80 percent of both groups view him as unfavorable.
“If we’re going to be a majority party in the 21st century, we’re going to have to be a multiracial, multiethnic and inclusive party,” said Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) to the New York Times.
One of Trump’s biggest statements is his claim to make “America great again.” This proved his misunderstanding of historical anecdotes, because when was American ever truly “great?” Is he planning to bring us back to times of civil war? Slavery? Economic depression? World Wars? The choices of American greatness are endless, Donald!
“This kind of politics of anger seems to be taking us back to some ugly moments in American history,” said Russell Moore, senior official with the Southern Baptist Convention to the New York Times. Moore refers to the negative effects of Trump’s remarks regarding a repeal of birthright citizenship and the suggested requirement of candidates to only speak English.
Moore encourages Republicans to publicly denounce Trump, since he has proved only to be toxic for the parties struggling reputation. “It’s a regrettable and dangerous ploy that I don’t think churchgoing evangelicals are going to fall for.”