Well, I just learned from a Washington Post report that former President Trump’s actions are now being investigated by Justice Department prosecutors as part of an inquiry into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Recent testimony before the January 6th House committee also appears to suggest that there is enough evidence to conclude that the former president and some of his allies might have conspired to commit fraud and obstruction by misleading Americans about the outcome of the 2020 election and attempting to overturn the result. The Republican Party establishment must be greatly disturbed by what is coming out of the committee’s public hearings, although many Republicans in Congress are still boohooing the hearings as a Democrat plot to malign Trump’s reputation.
However, Trump is not helping his case by his recent speeches where he continues to claim that the election was stolen. What’s worst is the fact that a recent poll of Republican voters taken by the New York Times/Siena College showed that 49 percent said they would back Trump if he ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. This compared with just 6 percent who said they would vote for former Vice-President Mike Pence and 25 percent who supported Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. The Trump vs. Pence public squabbles has caused many Republicans’ to have frustrations and reservations about a possible 2024 Trump campaign, suggesting that it could cause large numbers of Republican voters to defect from the party in a general election. Donald Trump and his rowdy supporters won’t just go away!
In addition, it has been reported that online fundraising has slowed across much of the Republican Party in recent months, an unusual pullback of small donors that has set off a mad rush among Republican political operatives to understand why — and reverse the sudden decline before it damages the party’s chances this fall. Exacerbating the fundraising problems for Republicans is that Trump continues to be the party’s dominant fundraiser. Indeed, pro-Trump super PACs had amassed more than $100 million by last summer. Yet virtually none of the tens of millions of dollars he raised has gone toward defeating Democrats. The money has instead funded his political team and retribution agenda against Republicans who have crossed him. Of course, money alone does not win political races, but any lack of funds can hamper party campaigns.
Then there has been the recent decision by the primarily conservative Supreme Court in overturning Roe v. Wade that has set off an array of attacks by women’s groups over the withdrawal of abortion services and the banning of abortion practices in Republican governed states. Take this issue into consideration and the potential attack by Republicans on LGBTQ+ issues, including same sex marriages, there is a growing movement against what are being depicted as extremist right-wing policies. The Democrats may be able to use the far right Republican platforms in their mid-term campaign to galvanize their rank and file and to secure the support of frustrated interest groups. Much will depend on how Congressional Republicans handle certain initiatives in the coming months, including that which would protect the legitimacy of same sex marriages.
At the state level, there is little doubt that in those governed by Republicans there are still enough conservative votes to win the day and maintain their power. However, at the federal level, the Republicans definitely appear to be in trouble, especially if Donald Trump is capable of riling up his base. It will be interesting to see if the Republicans can resolve their evident split within the party before the mid-terms and most certainly in time for the next presidential election. To the distress of the Republican establishment, Donald Trump and his allies are continuing to schedule events and are raising money for initiatives intended to make the former president a central player in the midterm elections, and possibly to set the stage for another run for the White House.
One would love to be a fly on the wall at behind-the-scene discussions among leading Republican strategists. I’m certain that they have a lot of serious issues to talk about!
FROLITICKS 
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