As GOP Scrambles to Heal Wounds Left by Disaster Named Trump, They Become more Liberal

The past three months for Trump have been historically terrible. The real losers however, are the GOP. The GOP’s midterm shellacking, Mueller’s probe, the stock market plunge, the 35 day government shutdown, as well as the departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis, have all chipped away at Trump’s approval rating.

Several republican politicians view Trump’s nightmarish term, as a possibility to run against him in 2020. Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, Ohio Governor John Kasich, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah have all been rumored to be considering a 2020 run against Donald Trump.

This article from CBSNews, recounts the several times in history that a sitting president faced a primary challenger. Such a political move is always suicide for the respective party. To be fair, if a sitting president has a primary opponent, that means the party is not doing so well.

Trump did such a lousy job however, many of these possible primary opponents are (temporarily) putting on a liberal mask, and supporting legislation that the GOP is typically hostile to.

Take for example the Tea Party attacks on Del. Chris Peace R-Hanover and Del. Bob Thomas R-Stafford, for backing a budget that includes Medicaid expansion. Republicans have always vilified Medicaid expansion because it was too expensive. Now, many republicans are embracing it.

Voters in the three Republican-controlled states passed Medicaid expansion ballot measures Nov. 6, potentially increasing coverage to an estimated 300,000 people and bringing the total number of expansion states to 36.

Ballot initiatives in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah approved by voters will increase Medicaid coverage up to 138% of the federal poverty level for individuals in those states. Montana voters, meanwhile, appear poised to vote down an initiative to extend Medicaid expansion, which could see Medicaid expansion sunset in the state in 2019. SPGlobal

House Republicans have always been the biggest beneficiaries of gerrymandering. However, now they are supporting an amendment that limits their redistricting power. Daily Progress

Where does the republican party go from Trump? Considering his unpopularity levels, their only chance of survival is to oppose Trump.