About three quarters of Republican early-state insiders say they believe Donald Trump has peaked, but Politico reports, [3] many acknowledge that may also be wishful thinking. Among New Hampshire Republican insiders, 73% say Trump has 'peaked', while, as Politico details, [3] 81% of Hawkeye State Republicans said the same.
“The McCain smear and giving out Graham’s cellphone? What an asshole,” vented a New Hampshire Republican, who says Trump has peaked. “Trumpism does not represent some deeper sentiment within the party, nor has he tapped into something a more conventional candidate can now co-opt. His candidacy has as much substance and meaning as cotton candy. I didn’t like him before. Now I loathe him.”
...
“I hope and pray that he has peaked,” added another Granite State Republican, who like all participants was granted anonymity in order to speak freely. “The GOP has a chance in 2016 and it diminishes each time Trump increases his poll numbers.”
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“Everybody is still watching to see what he will do next,” a Granite State Republican said. “It’s like riding down the highway and seeing an accident in the other direction — you know [you] shouldn’t look but you do. I think by September he will begin a downward descent as people get totally sick of his antics.”
Democrats have a different view...
“GOP establishment (especially in early states) and some media are in a panic right now about Trump, and are quick to develop a storyline that he can’t last,” said a New Hampshire Democrat, who like all participants answered through an online submission form. “The truth is otherwise. The base loves him, he keeps showing top tier status nationally and in early states, he (like Hillary) has 100 percent name ID, and unlike all others, doesn’t need either traditional donors or dark money ones. While there are some parallels to [Ross] Perot, this is a new phenomenon and existing precedent doesn’t apply. Who knows where this goes?”
Another added, “If peaking is poll numbers, maybe, but this guy is far from done. He has no reason to drop out. He is going to be the focus of the first debate.”
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For now we suspect the Trumpnado rolls on...
[4]
h/t @ianbremmer
We give The Donald the last word...
"@mitchellvii [5] @thehill [6] @slone [7] Here's a crazy thought. Maybe Trump is gaining traction because HE'S RIGHT?"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2015 [8]
