"Seen this movie before": GOP operatives say Democrats won’t lay a glove on Trump over Ukraine
by David M. Drucker
| September 24, 2019 07:00 AM
Senior Republican operatives are confident President Trump will not absorb lasting damage from fresh allegations that he pressured Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, predicting he might even win over swing voters in 2020 if Democrats initiate impeachment.
Republican strategists are not dismissing the gravity of accusations. They are simply skeptical that the unfolding scandal will hurt Trump with GOP voters any more than did a two-year federal probe into charges that he colluded with Russia to defeat Hillary Clinton. Some Republicans even see an upside. Impeachment lacks critical support from voters, yet House Democrats are more likely to pursue removing the president through extra-electoral means, risking a backlash.
“Impeachment is Trump’s ace in the hole,†Brad Todd, a veteran Republican consultant, told the Washington Examiner. “It would convince plenty of swing voters that Democrats are wholly unconcerned with their pocketbook priorities.â€
“I haven't seen any evidence of this hurting Trump with Republicans yet,†added Alex Conant, a Republican strategist. “The Democrats rush to impeachment pushes everyone into their partisan corners, which helps Trump in the short-term. The key thing to watch is whether more Senate Republicans start voicing criticism.â€
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