A G.O.P. Test in Michigan Is Trump a Help or a Hindrance?
In recent days, there have been several interesting stories involving Trump and Michigan politics. We’ve reported on Schuette’s involvement in state politics, Trump’s endorsement of DePerno, and Trump’s manipulation of Republicans to nominate election deniers. We’ve also covered Trump’s unpopularity in Michigan.
Schuette’s involvement in state politics
The allegations regarding Schuette’s involvement in state politics are based on his actions and his communications. His personal email account was used to send after-hours emails to selected employees, including outside political consultants, about an issue related to the attorney general’s office. While this is not illegal, it could make the Attorney General’s office look unprofessional and shady.
Despite the allegations, Schuette is still widely considered the frontrunner in the Republican primary for governor. He has endorsed Trump, while Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has actively attacked the Attorney General. Schuette has been attorney general since 2011. Before he was elected attorney general, he worked on the presidential campaign of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Since then, he has become a Trump supporter and has endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Trump’s endorsement of DePerno
After Trump lost Michigan to Joe Biden in 2016, some Republicans became angry with his slate of candidates. They felt that he was backing candidates who were not electable. They were also frustrated with state party leaders for endorsing Trump. Leonard, a longtime GOP operative, was nominated by Trump for the position of U.S. attorney in western Michigan. However, he finished third in the primary. In response to the criticism, Berman encouraged supporters to back Leonard.
While DePerno’s name is a familiar one in the GOP field, Trump’s endorsement in Michigan has caused confusion. Observers and delegates have complained that confusion in the delegates’ ballot process could undermine the party’s message about election integrity and jeopardize the GOP’s chances in November. DePerno’s supporters, meanwhile, lined up to vote between rounds of voting. However, voting was halted during the second round due to a discrepancy in the process. The giant screens in the convention center showed a different list of candidates than the paper ballots.
Trump’s manipulation of Republicans to nominate election deniers
The Republican nominee in Michigan was a candidate who publicly denounced the results of the 2016 election and has since walked back his comment. However, the gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox also removed a reference to Trump from his campaign website. Another Republican candidate, Tudor Dixon, has since changed his position regarding Trump’s false claim in the Michigan primary. Although these moves may be politically expedient, Democrats have seized on the underlying logic of election denial.
The alleged conspirators include Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf, Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan, and former National Security Agency analyst James Penrose. These eight individuals are key figures in the election-denier movement in Michigan. DePerno’s nomination will be confirmed by the Republican Party’s convention on Aug. 27. He has received the endorsement of former Trump.
Trump’s unpopularity in Michigan
Recent polls have shown that President Trump is highly unpopular among Michigan voters and that he may drag the Republican candidates down with him. According to one poll, 37 percent of likely voters in Michigan said they favored the President, while 57 percent said they disapproved. The poll also found that independent voters are overwhelmingly unfavorable to Trump, while only four percent of Democrats said they favored him.
Republicans are trying to rally in the state’s largest community, but it seems that they are unable to unite. The delegates are being selected at county party conventions, where the Trump supporters and the anti-Trump faction are battling. As a result, some Trump supporters are storming the conventions, calling for independent audits of the election results.
