Jeff Flake: I hope that somebody runs in primary against Trump

[Jazzhead]

Kasich, anybody?

I'd like to see Nikki Haley run.   

[Applewood]

I just hope there aren't 20 Republicans running as in 2016.  Except for Trump and Cruz, the others were turkeys.  It's ok to have some competition -- if nothing else, competition makes the primaries interesting, but we don't need a bunch of liberal Republicans with the same "bipartisanship" message.  Screw that.  As has been pointed out before, we are at war.  We need strong candidates who are going to represent us, not try to get along with our enemies. 

[Cyber Liberty]

I just hope there aren't 20 Republicans running as in 2016.  Except for Trump and Cruz, the others were turkeys.  It's ok to have some competition -- if nothing else, competition makes the primaries interesting, but we don't need a bunch of liberal Republicans with the same "bipartisanship" message.  Screw that.  As has been pointed out before, we are at war.  We need strong candidates who are going to represent us, not try to get along with our enemies.

It's normal for the challenging Party to have a lot of candidates.  Incumbents usually have one or two, unless there are none at all.  Trump will probably have three or so, just because it's stylish to hate him.

ETA: Rats will probably have a lot, and this will be touted as their "exceptionally deep bench."

[dfwgator]

I just hope there aren't 20 Republicans running as in 2016.  Except for Trump and Cruz, the others were turkeys.  It's ok to have some competition -- if nothing else, competition makes the primaries interesting, but we don't need a bunch of liberal Republicans with the same "bipartisanship" message.  Screw that.  As has been pointed out before, we are at war.  We need strong candidates who are going to represent us, not try to get along with our enemies.

Last time a Republican incumbent had a primary challenger was Pat Buchanan in 1992.  How did that work out?

[Night Hides Not]

Last time a Republican incumbent had a primary challenger was Pat Buchanan in 1992.  How did that work out?

Ross Perot damaged Bush more than Pat. Bush 41 opened himself up when he violated his "no new taxes" pledge.

I understood why he did it, what with the need to thwart Saddam's move into Kuwait. But he, like his son, thought themselves above defending their record, leaving it up to subordinates to carry their message.

Just as HW begat Clinton, Dubya begat Obama. That's just another reason why Trump maintains his popularity, his ability to strike back early, often, and incessantly when he's challenged.

[jafo2010]

2020 will have about 5-6 candidates on either side.  Most will quickly go by the wayside when HR Clinton announces her run, and Trump will waste no time eliminating his opposition with results in the early primaries and caucases.

[Emjay]

2020 will have about 5-6 candidates on either side.  Most will quickly go by the wayside when HR Clinton announces her run, and Trump will waste no time eliminating his opposition with results in the early primaries and caucases.

No.  Even the democrats are running from Hillary now.  And nobody will challenge Trump if he decides to run.  Nobody sane, anyway.

[aligncare]

I'd like to see Nikki Haley run.

In a couple of years, after Haley’s made a boatload of money in the private sector, President Trump will select her for Secretary of State in his next administration.

She’d be perfect for that job.

Too soon for potus.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

No.  Even the democrats are running from Hillary now.  And nobody will challenge Trump if he decides to run.  Nobody sane, anyway.

Somebody like Kasich might (although you did say "sane"...)

But I suspect Trump might not even participate in debates, etc., seeing it as a waste of time given that the result is a foregone conclusion.  I wouldn't blame him, either.  It wouldn't serve any useful purpose, and would take his time and attention away from doing his actual job.

I'd like to see Nikki Haley run.   

I wouldn't want to see her running against Trump because she'd fail, and it would anger some people whose support she'd need for a successful campaign. But if Trump didn't run, I don't believe she'd be too young.   She'd be older than Obama, and far more experienced.  She'd be an absolute nightmare for the Democrats, and I think she'd probably run away with the nomination.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

As for the thread topic,  I hope a strong GOP challenger emerges for Trump in 2020.    His populism based on stoking fears of immigrants is not my cup of tea,  and difficult to reconcile with the movement conservatism I (and Jeff Flake) grew up in.      I concede that Trumpism is a major force in the modern conservative coalition, but as the face of the party Trump remains cringeworthy. 

I want an alternative.

The essence of such a campaign would have to be what you described -- an attack/harsh criticism of his personal conduct/demeanor.  A challenger taking that tack against Trump for the nomination in 2020 is not only almost certain to lose, but likely would so alienate Trump supporters that he/she would lose the general election even if he/she managed somehow to win the primary.  The result would be GOP division, and bitter resentment by a lot of Trump supporters towards that failed candidate.  I think any candidate who tried that would not only lose in 2020, but would likely so damage their reputation among a critical chunk of GOP voters that they'd knock themselves out of contention for 2024 as well.

I suspect his only real challengers will be NeverTrumpers like Kasich or perhaps Flake, who already are on the outs with much of Trump's base and so have nothing left to lose.  But I think even Flake realizes that would be a fool's errand.

I think the best hope for those who want a Trump alternative in 2020 is that he chooses not to run for a second term, which I still believe is possible.  He's enough of a showman that he would prefer to spring that as a complete surprise on everyone a bit further down the road.  Yes, that would disadvantage GOP primary candidates, but I don't think he'd care.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think the best hope for those who want a Trump alternative in 2020 is that he chooses not to run for a second term, which I still believe is possible.  He's enough of a showman that he would prefer to spring that as a complete surprise on everyone a bit further down the road.  Yes, that would disadvantage GOP primary candidates, but I don't think he'd care.

He'd care.  He doesn't want his legacy undone at the first opportunity, like Bush 41 did with Reagan's.

[DCPatriot]

I think the best hope for those who want a Trump alternative in 2020 is that he chooses not to run for a second term, which I still believe is possible.  He's enough of a showman that he would prefer to spring that as a complete surprise on everyone a bit further down the road.  Yes, that would disadvantage GOP primary candidates, but I don't think he'd care.

The plain truth is that President Trump could win reelection as a Third Party candidate.

This man has never quit in his life.   And he certainly won't do on the biggest stage on earth.

Personally, he's a grand wizard and in complete control.   

Drip...drip...drip  becomes drip, drip, drip, drip.   At his beckon call.  Not Comey's or Brennan's.

[Cyber Liberty]

The plain truth is that President Trump could win reelection as a Third Party candidate.

This man has never quit in his life.   And he certainly won't do on the biggest stage on earth.

Personally, he's a grand wizard and in complete control.   

Drip...drip...drip  becomes drip, drip, drip, drip.   At his beckon call.  Not Comey's or Brennan's.

Like he said to that Leslie Stahl wench...That's OK.  I'm the President and you're not. 

[Applewood]

2020 will have about 5-6 candidates on either side.  Most will quickly go by the wayside when HR Clinton announces her run, and Trump will waste no time eliminating his opposition with results in the early primaries and caucases.

I don't think Hillary will run again, but I believe it's because she's just not up for the fight, given her age and apparently fragile health.  But I do think the Clintons still have clout within the party and will use their ill-gotten gains to bankroll whatever candidate they support.  And I also believe the Clintons are prepping daughter Chelsea for political office -- not the presidency just  yet, but something below that, with a view toward her running for the presidency maybe several years from now. 

[thackney]

JSen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) slammed President Trump as unmoored from conservative principles and said he hopes he gets a primary opponent in 2020 who can remind Republicans of "what it means to be decent." ...

Why not you Jeff?  You won't have other commitments.  Go for it!

[jafo2010]

Kasich is definitely running.  I also believe Flake is delusional enough to think he has a shot.  Maybe even Romney.

However, for those of you that think HR Clinton is not running just because there are a few that avoid her in the party, you are missing it completely.

Now for a few facts.  HR Clinton has been touring the world denouncing President Trump with every opportunity.  She has battled to be in every news cycle and to remain relevant. She is sitting on multiple billions in their faux foundation, and even if she did not take in another dime, she would have more money now than all her challengers in the Democommie primary combined.  She is running!

WHEN the Dems lose both the House and the Senate in November, they will once again question their direction, or lack thereof, and guess who is just waiting in the wings to step in and provide leadership.  Yes, you got it, HR Clinton!  So, she fires up the money making machine, continues touring the world demanding bribes from foreign nations to be dumped into her faux foundation, and because Trump refuses to accept corporate donation, all the corporations that want to buy a president will dump their money into her campaign.  She will get billions more in donations.  There is just no one in the Dem Party that can raise money and wage a campaign to beat her.

HR Clinton is the ONLY Democommie that can win in the 2020 Dem nomination.  Bernie will not run, and if he does, there will be no shortage of folks in the DNC to put the kabosh on his campaign by any means necessary.  Let's face it, the fool is NOT a Democrat!  Even Biden in now admitting he might be too old to run in a couple years.

The 2nd most attractive prospect to run for president IMHO is the wanker that was Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe.  I think he would love to run, but he is a Clinton loyalist and will not run if HR Clinton runs.

And last but not least, John Kerry.  I am certain he thinks he can defeat Trump, and he has continued traveling about trying to remain relevant, but if HR Clinton runs, she will steam roll over him like a new paved road before her, and she is that monster roller!

Mark my words, it will be the Thriller from Manilla all over again!

TRUMP versus CLINTON in 2020

And think about it, put yourself in her shoes.  She got 3 million more votes than Trump in 2016.  If she lives in PA, OH, FL, WI and MI, she will believe she will reverse the prior outcome and defeat Trump.

I cannot wait for the circus, and it will be a circus.  The Democommies bring nothing to the table, and Trump wins 40 Electoral College states against HR Clinton, and more if it is any other Democommie!

[sneakypete]