Trump strategy working a treat as Republican rivals flounder ahead of crunch test

The fourth Republican presidential primary debate took place this week in Alabama. And except for a shrinking number of podiums flanking the stage, neither the faces in the center of the stage, nor their talking points have changed. Lather, rinse, repeat.

With the primaries beginning in just a few weeks, it will be the first time that Donald Trump will truly be featured side by side alongside the other candidates – on ballots or in caucuses. At that time, the race will continue to clarify – likely validating Donald Trump’s frontrunner status, putting hard numbers to current polling estimates.

From the sidelines Donald Trump has called Governor Ron DeSantis a "seriously wounded bird", yet DeSantis continues to hold his second-place position, as he has since announced his candidacy.

Despite Trump’s criticism, DeSantis is widely seen as a successful Governor of a formerly purple state which is now solidly red. His is a respected voice at the state level across Republican voters, yet that appears to not be enough to move the polling needle anywhere close to being a serious challenge to Donald Trump.

Likewise, Nikki Haley, a former UN Ambassador and former South Carolina Governor, has seen an increase in political attention and a slight increase in polling since the last debate. Yet she still seems unable to catch or beat DeSantis – and cannot come close to Trump. She recently received both endorsements and money from Democrat groups, as well as anti-Trump Republican groups, which may help her temporarily, but long-term will be seen as a negative, rather than a positive endorsement. If the Democrats are for her, then many Republicans think they should be leery.

Vivek Ramaswamy continued his attacks on Nikki Haley, which may be backfiring, making her seem strong and prepared, giving her ample opportunities to point out his naivete and political inexperience.

In many ways he echoes Trump’s policies so may be positioning for a Cabinet post in the Trump administration rather than being a top contender himself.

Chris Christie continues to fill his role as mudslinger at Trump and has vowed to stay in the race until the GOP convention next July in Milwaukee, WI. Though he does not have a viable path to victory, he sees his role of targeting Trump as an important one and is determined to persist.

Others have recently left the race, like Tim Scott and Doug Burgum, but there may not be any additional departures until after Iowa caucuses in January, unless Asa Hutchinson decides to finally formally suspend his campaign, which long ago became inconsequential.

While the RNC and the GOP need to hold these debates, I’m not sure if they matter or if they are changing minds or votes. The more debates are held among candidates that are not Donald Trump, the more Donald Trump rises in the polling. Though he has not participated in any of the debates so far, it appears his strategy of absence is working in his favor.

Trump did not want to give the other candidates legitimacy by debating them since he continues to hold a commanding lead over all his competitors, as he has since the beginning of this campaign cycle. The other candidates are frustrated by Trump not participating, but perhaps should be grateful they have gotten airtime they would not have had if Trump were on the stage. They likely also would have been frustrated if he were on the debate stage since he tends to command all the attention and control the conversation.

The battle for second place though continues to be irrelevant. There is no runner up trophy, or
consolation prize. Whether these debating candidates wind up in second place or 10th place, they still will have lost. Perhaps they are banking on Trump being disqualified or tied up in court and unable to proceed in a general election, necessitating a back-up candidate. That may be all they have. No one should hope for that though as it would be a suppression of the will of the people to not be able to vote for their candidate of choice. This would be the true threat to democracy – even though that is what the left consistently claims Trump is.

One benefit to the nation though in holding these debates, is that conservative policy ideas and
solutions are on full display. And they starkly contrast with the damaging policy positions and decline which Biden has orchestrated during his time in office. While there is a range of ideas being presented by the candidates on stage, any of them would benefit the nation and end the devastation of America over which Biden has been the chief architect.

Let's not lose sight of what truly matters though. The true win for the Republicans will be taking back the White House, which will also be a win for America. A conservative president will have the opportunity to undo the damage the Biden administration has inflicted on the nation and the world. This should be welcomed and expedited.

Conservatives need to continue to make the case for their policy ideas with passion and persuasion, regardless of whether they do so separately, or collectively on the debate stage. America and the world need conservative governance and need to end Joe Biden's reign of chaos and destruction with haste and resolve.

Peggy Grande was executive assistant to Ronald Reagan and is author of “The President Will See You Now.” She is an international television commentator and columnist and served in the Trump Administration.