What the Republican victory lap means for the Democratic Party | TheHill – The Hill

Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpBrad Pitt quips he has more time to give Oscars speech than John Bolton had to testify Trump under pressure to renew last nuke treaty with Russia Trump to request 6 percent domestic cuts in .8 trillion budget MORE has finished the best week of his presidency. In the span of three days, he reveled in the botched Iowa caucuses, delivered a made for television State of the Union address that excited his base and infuriated Democrats, and was expeditiously acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial. To cap this all off, his approval rating hit a record high of 49 percent, according to Gallup. His approval rating among independents also ticked up to 42 percent, tying three previous polls as his best among that group.

Trump was not the only one to experience a polling surge. Gallup found that 51 percent of Americans now view the Republican Party favorably, up from 43 percent months ago and above 50 percent for the first time since 2005, marking a major win for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Simply put, Trump is now in a better position to win reelection than ever before, while the future of the Democratic Party is marred by uncertainty.

Indeed, the Iowa caucuses last week were expected to provide clarity and substance to a Democratic primary race that so far has been defined by hypothetical analysis and rapidly changing poll numbers. All throughout the previous month, the top candidates, former Vice President Joe Biden, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Bernie Sanders, all polled in first place in Iowa at some point, according to the Real Clear Politics averages.

With 100 percent of the vote now in, it seems that Buttigieg has won the state of Iowa, although Sanders came in an extraordinarily close second. It is also entirely possible for these results to change, as the Associated Press has been unable to declare a winner because of irregularities, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has also asked to recanvass the vote, but it is still unclear what the eventual result will be.

In all likelihood, Buttigieg and Sanders will end up splitting a majority of the delegates in Iowa, allowing both candidates to declare victory while leaving the primary race with even less clarity than before. There is now no clear frontrunner. While the disorder in Iowa is very disappointing for the Democratic Party, it is even more discouraging in light of the fact that Trump is now emboldened by a strong economy, soaring fundraising, his acquittal in the Senate, and record high job approval among Americans.

Biden, who leads in most national polls and thought to be the candidate most likely to beat Trump, finished in a distant and disappointing fourth place in Iowa. In a campaign that already lacks not just enthusiasm but also money, this poses a significant problem for his candidacy. Given his cratering in Iowa, it has become clear to many that Michael BloombergMichael Rubens BloombergWhat the Republican victory lap means for the Democratic Party Buttigieg targeting seven Super Tuesday states with ad campaign Democrats ramp up attacks on opponents in final pitch before New Hampshire MORE, who did not compete in Iowa nor in any of the other early states, may be the only candidate who can successfully take on Trump and defeat him.

To be clear, I am currently working for the Bloomberg campaign. I have worked with the former New York City mayor for more than two decades. Objectively, however, it has now become clear that Bloomberg is the only Democrat who could successfully take on Trump. As the former leader of the largest city in the nation and one of the great capitalists of our time, Bloomberg is the only viable candidate in the race who can go toe to toe with Trump on the economy, which is the strongest issue for Republicans, and make a compelling argument that resonates with many swing voters.

Furthermore, Bloomberg is also arguably the only Democratic candidate to emerge from the first primary contest in a relatively stronger position. While the rest of the candidates were caught up with the Iowa debacle, Bloomberg spent the week talking to voters in Super Tuesday states like California and Virginia, as well as general election swing states such as Pennsylvania, running a campaign focused on his record and leadership, but also a campaign that has now gotten under the skin of the president.

A Morning Consult poll revealed Bloomberg leading all the Democratic candidates in a hypothetical matchup against Trump, as 47 percent of respondents said they would vote for Bloomberg, 40 percent said they would choose Trump, and 13 percent undecided. While Bloomberg has also been making steady primary polling gains, likely among voters who seek a steady hand and are put off by the disarray, and is arguably the candidate in the best position to defeat Trump, it is now clear that the Democratic Party has finished its worst week since the 2016 election.

Trump, on the other hand, decisively had his best week. He is in a better position to win reelection than ever before, unless the Democratic Party can find a way to unite behind a candidate who can actually defeat him.

Douglas Schoen (@DouglasESchoen) is adviser to President Bill Clinton and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He is the author of Collapse: A World in Crisis and the Urgency of American Leadership.

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What the Republican victory lap means for the Democratic Party | TheHill - The Hill