In case you missed it, the annual convention for conservative activists, known as the Conservative Political Action Conference, (CPAC) took place over the weekend in Orlando, Fl. In most cases, partisan conventions are just rallying points for party faithful and often not instructive of where a party might be heading in the next several years. For CPAC, however, especially in 2021, with former President Donald Trump as the keynote speaker, this year took on some greater meaning.
Trump, speaking on Sunday afternoon for almost two hours, made some headlines with statements disavowing any attempts to form a third-party calling it a losing proposition. Instead, Trump asserted that he remains in control of the Republican Party which will become united again in the years to come.
Stopping short of announcing a 2024 run, Trump did maintain that he will be a political presence moving forward and announced the formation of a Super PAC which will begin fundraising and working to promote candidates that support the MAGA agenda, and oppose candidates who have worked against him, such as Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney:
The speech served as formal notice of his continued dominance over the Republican Party — and a return to campaign form for the former president. The rapturous reception Trump received at the country’s most prominent annual conservative gathering signaled the totality of the Republican base’s embrace, as well as the peril facing less Trumpian elements of the party.
In the annual CPAC presidential straw poll released shortly before Trump spoke, 95 percent of conference attendees said the GOP should continue to embrace Trump’s issues and policy ideas, and 68 percent of attendees said Trump should run again in 2024.
In a crowded field of potential presidential primary contenders, Trump ran miles ahead with 55 percent support, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, at 21 percent. Every other GOP politician polled registered in single digits.
…
He [Trump] is preparing to stand up a super PAC. On Friday, he endorsed Max Miller, a former White House aide, in his campaign to unseat Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, one of 10 House Republicans who voted for Trump’s impeachment.
The CPAC Straw Poll results are another matter which illustrates how tight the former President’s grip is on the base of the Republican Party. With 97% approval among attendees, and winning the 2024 straw poll with 55% of support, there clearly remains an appetite for Trump continuing as a force in the GOP.
If Trump RUNS in 2024:
55% – Donald Trump
21% – Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL)
4% – Gov. Kristi Noem (SD)
However, if Trump decides not to run in 2024, DeSantis sits atop the field instead:
43% – Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL)
11% – Gov. Kristi Noem (SD)
8% – Donald Trump Jr.
7% – Former Sec. of State Mike Pompeo
7% – Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)
With CPAC held in Florida, it’s natural that there could be some home-field advantage which is padding DeSantis’ score, but he seems to be broadly popular across the GOP landscape.
Names like Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas barely registered among attendees with Republicans clearly more excited about the potential for a Governor to step forward than a Senator. Even Ted Cruz wasn’t able to crack double-digits.
At the moment, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is a possible heir apparent to Donald Trump’s MAGA brand if the former President should choose not to run in 2024.
There is plenty of time between now and then, and a lot will change over the next 12 to 24 months before candidates seriously begin making their moves and take a position in the 2024 Republican primary. The question will then become who Trump endorses, if anyone, should he choose to remain on the sideline.
Here’s the former President’s entire speech if you want to hear the words for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk9PpJTsxE4
