Staff Reports
Kellyanne Conway, who was a White House counselor during Trump's first term, warned against underestimating the former president's potential 2020 campaign. Even as Trump is facing multiple investigations, the crowded Republican primary field and his history of controversies are still significant factors that should not be ignored.
In a guest essay for the New York Times, Conway argued that despite the possibility of criminal charges against Donald Trump, the Republican candidate should still be considered a legitimate candidate. She also cautioned Trump supporters from assuming that he is unbeatable.
She stated that it would be foolish to stop Trump's political obituary or prevent him from running for president in 2024. He has avoided prosecution unlike any other public figure, and this could change. However, assuming that his path to another term would be smooth, it would be very risky.
This is not the 2016 campaign, when Trump's team had the "swag and attitude" of an insurgent candidate and the "history be damned" resolve of an understaffed campaign.
Despite Trump's various achievements during his first term, Conway noted that he still has a significant amount of political baggage.
She stated that for Trump to succeed, he would need to change his approach to politics. He would need to focus on the future instead of the past, and he would need to reclaim the forgotten Americans who helped him get elected.
The essay at times served as an advice column for Trump, as it suggested that instead of repeating his false claims about the election, he should focus on the achievements of his first term. One of the most significant threats to Trump's presidency is the multiple investigations that are currently focused on his efforts to overturn the results of the 2016 election.
Besides the investigation into his alleged attempt to overturn the election results, Trump is also facing multiple investigations related to his role in the January 6 riot in the Capitol. The committee that investigated the incident has referred four charges against Trump.
Trump is also the target of other investigations related to the 2020 presidential election. One of these is a Department of Justice investigation. Another is a special grand jury that is based in Fulton County, Ga.
According to Conway, Trump's potential 2020 presidential campaign would be harder than his in 2024 due to the absence of a single competitor on the debate stage. Even though Trump is the only major Republican candidate so far, multiple others are considering running for president.
One of the most prominent potential challengers to Trump is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Although DeSantis has not officially announced his intention to run for president in 2024, he has consistently been at the top of the polls. In head-to-head matches, DeSantis has often beaten Trump.
Some of the other prominent potential candidates who are considering running for president include former US Vice President Mike Pence and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Kellyanne Conway was Trump's campaign manager during the 2016 presidential election. She then became his senior counselor during his second term.
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Washington Examiner.
