Asa Hutchinson, former governor of Arkansas, who is considered one of the Republican Party’s hidden dragons in the presidential election, declared a presidential run on the 2nd (local time), demanding that former President Donald Trump, who was embroiled in controversy over sexual harassment, withdraw from the Republican primary. On the 26th, he plans to officially declare his candidacy in Bentonville, Arkansas, his hometown.
Trump’s prosecution also shows signs of forming anti-Trump forces. With Trump ahead, it is noteworthy what changes will occur in the competition for presidential candidates within the party leading to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
According to the Associated Press, former Governor Hutchinson declared his candidacy next year in an interview with ABC’s ‘Disweek’ that day, saying, “I am convinced that people want leaders who appeal to America’s best, not leaders who appeal to our worst instincts.” did. At the same time, he said of Trump, “public office is more important than any individual,” and added, “(he) should drop out of the race.”
Former Governor Hutchinson also mentioned in an interview with the Associated Press that it is important for voters to have an alternative leader (replacing Trump), saying, “I think I stand out by expressing my convictions and vision for the country.”
Previously, on the 31st of last month, even before the declaration of running, he had said that Trump was “an obstacle” and “should step aside.”
The Associated Press noted that former Gov. Hutchinson announced his Republican presidential run after Trump became the first former president to face criminal charges. The news agency also reported that former Governor Hutchinson’s candidacy will be a test of how the Republican Party will react to the moves of anti-Trump forces.
Hutchinson plans to officially declare his candidacy on the 26th in Bentonville, Arkansas, his hometown and where Wal-Mart is headquartered. Election campaigns in Iowa, Indiana and Kentucky are also scheduled in the coming weeks.
In addition to former Governor Hutchinson, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Lamaswamy are also running for the Republican nomination. There are also observations that the remarks and support of the presidential candidates amid the controversy over the prosecution’s prosecution of former President Trump will affect the presidential election in some way.
The dominant analysis is that public opinion about former President Trump, who has been engulfed in suspicion of silence on sexual scandals, is generally deteriorating.
As a result of a poll of 593 adults conducted by ABC Broadcasting in the United States with polling company Ipsos for two days from the 31st of last month, 45% of the total respondents said that former President Trump should be prosecuted for silence. 32% answered ‘I shouldn’t be prosecuted’, and 23% answered ‘I don’t know’.
The survey, conducted the day after the New York grand jury’s indictment decision, found that 50% of all respondents thought Trump’s sexual silence allegations were serious. This is why attention is focused on the movements of other leading presidential candidates besides Trump.
In addition to the Republicans who have announced their intention to run so far, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are also expected to run soon.
On the 30th and 31st of last month, Yahoo News and YouGov, a polling agency, conducted a survey of 1,089 American adults on their preference for the Republican presidential primary, and former President Trump still ranked first with an approval rating of 52%. Disantis is second with 21%, followed by Hailey (5%) and Pence (3%).
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.