GOP consultant: ‘Rhetoric’ is not a winning argument for Trump and the GOP | Opinion

Following two assassination attempts on former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, it’s easy to blame Democrats and cite their inflammatory, violent rhetoric as the cause. After all, Democrats like Rep. Maxine Waters have long enjoyed immunity from comments inciting violence.

While the vitriol feels heightened, this isn’t new. With so many things vying for your attention, political strategists have been slowly ratcheting up the rhetoric for some time. In a digital age when “likes” are currency and fanaticism can make you a social media star, it should surprise no one that extreme political rhetoric is a hallmark of the modern political campaign.

So saying the second would-be assassin “was egged on by the rhetoric and lies” is just the natural progression of political one-upmanship. It’s a great tactic to energize the base and raise money. It’s a great talking point for pundits on TV and a welcome distraction from Trump’s disastrous debate performance. But it is not a winning campaign strategy.

For many, Trump ushered in the era of extreme political rhetoric. Swing voters remember how Trump’s Twitter insults dominated the 2016 news cycle. Many people voted for Joe Biden in 2020 because he promised a “return to normalcy,” and many are considering Kamala Harris in 2024 because they want to return to an era of political discord that does not border on dangerous.

Also, the premise — political rhetoric inciting violence — leaves the Trump campaign vulnerable. It has no way to reconcile the argument that when a crazed lunatic tries to assassinate Trump it’s a direct result of being incited by Democrats yet when rioters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump bears no responsibility. This kind of political doublespeak is one reason Republicans have lost credibility with many voters.

While most Americans are tired of the rhetoric, it’s not the issue that keeps them awake at night. Voters care about themselves and their family. They worry about how they will pay for groceries, save for retirement, and find some money to go on a vacation.

Trump would win in a landslide if he used this opportunity to unite the country and paint a picture of an America where we get things done and solve problems. Instead, Trump seems to have resorted to the same failed tactics that cost him the 2020 election and prevented a red wave from happening in 2022.

Now, in his latest stunt, Trump is encouraging a government shutdown to advance his political agenda — something that has the potential to inflict pain on many American families. Trump wants any budget deal to include a requirement for proof of citizenship while voting.

While the security of our elections is vital to the preservation of the republic, shutting down the federal government during the final days of the election is not the way to show the American people that Republicans should be in control. With each passing day, Trump seems to find new and creative ways to demean and alienate voters that Republicans need to win the election.

To be clear, I think Vice President Harris would be an unmitigated disaster as president. Her empty promises and progressive policies are wrong for America, would stifle economic growth, and punish the middle class. The only thing scarier would be a Democratic sweep of Congress in November.

A Trump victory in November is not preordained. In fact, the electoral map is not in his favor. If Trump loses the election, all that will stand in the way of the Democrats’ takeover will be a Republican-controlled House and Senate.

Trump has run a mistake-ridden campaign ever since Biden exited the race in July. The problem Republicans face is that Trump’s mistakes have the potential to drag down the entire GOP ticket. It’s a fact that good Republican candidates in local, state and federal races across the country are facing electoral headwinds because of Trump. The future of America rests with more than just the presidency. Trump’s policies may be right for America, but his antics will not persuade voters and could cost the nation dearly.

Matt Wylie is a Republican political strategist and analyst who lives on Hilton Head Island. He has worked on federal, state and local campaigns.