Republican insiders think there are plenty of Democrats who President Trump could easily beat in 2020, while at least three could pose a serious threat.
Vanity Fair spoke with some of these Republicans on Friday, who seemed to agree that the biggest threat to Trump's presidency is former Vice President Joe Biden. In fact, these Republicans worry Biden could beat Trump fairly easily. As one strategist put it, that's partially because he "wreaks calmness and normalcy, which I feel like people crave over the chaos of the Trump administration."
Aside from Biden, Republicans also expressed concern about Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas). Even though O'Rourke lost his race against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in November, Republican insiders were "taking notes" and treating him "far more seriously" than one might think. One insider noted he's "problematic" because he could put states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina "in play."
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.
Believe it or not, a third Democrat who strikes fear in GOP insiders is Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Republican strategists reportedly feel he could have a similarly broad appeal as Biden.
There are a few Democrats who Republicans definitely don't feel threatened by, though, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The Republican operatives quoted by Vanity Fair feel that America is "still a center-right country" and thus they'd have an easier time running against a progressive. But if Democrats nominate a calm presence who is a bit closer to the center, they believe Trump could be in trouble.
-
Why is Trump backtracking on the Hyundai immigration raid?Today’s Big Question Backlash threatens investment in US manufacturing
-
The 9 restaurants to eat at this very momentThe Week Recommends They’re award-winning. Isn’t that reason enough?
-
Trump proposes ending quarterly earnings reportsSpeed Read The SEC would have to approve any changes
-
‘We must empower young athletes with the knowledge to stay safe’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to TrumpSpeed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raidsSpeed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
Hostile architecture is 'hostile — to everybody'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raidSpeed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearingSpeed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
