Donald Trump is starting to build a serious campaign. The GOP is hitting back.
In Iowa on Tuesday night, Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is speaking before an expected crowd of thousands at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, drawing audiences his GOP competitors can only dream of at this point in the race. And, Reuters reports, Trump's increasingly sophisticated campaign will be ready to sign up those fans and "gawkers" to be precinct captains, campaign organizers, and other Trump foot soldiers in the Iowa caucus.
Trump's Republican rivals and the GOP establishment are starting to consider the real estate mogul a serious threat, and they are reacting accordingly. Early presumptive frontrunner Jeb Bush is starting to hit back at Trump's barrage of insults, The New York Times reports, stepping out of his comfort zone to call Trump's proposals "unrealistic" and suggesting he read his books, even while conceding that Trump is "a serious candidate."
And as Trump is making a serious play to win primaries and caucuses in early states, some state Republican Party committees are considering new hurdles Trump would have to jump to get on the ballot, Politico says. The two states mentioned are Virginia and North Carolina, each set to vote on proposals to make all official candidates pledge to support the GOP's eventual nominee. "The procedural moves are clearly aimed at Trump, who pointedly refused to rule out a third-party run during the first GOP debate," notes Politico's Alex Isenstadt.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Ecuador's cloud forest has legal rights – and maybe a song credit
Under the Radar In a world first, 'rights of nature' project petitions copyright office to recognise Los Cedros forest as song co-creator
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published