Which Republican candidate running for president has more supporters?

[SolitarySolace]

Donald Trump

Nikki Haley

[nightdrot]

Yes, I have to say, based on the polling data - although I am, myself, a Haley supporter - former President Trump has, within the GOP voter base, the larger support. Haley representing the pre-Trump GOP consensus which is in decline.

The reasons for this are actually rather complicated. Changes in the economy, technology and demographics and the GOP voter base itself have led to a populist wave in both parties.

In the Democratic party this has tended to manifest itself in what is popularly referred to as "wokeism." The assertion of identity over ideas. It being best to recall that populism is NOT a schematic ideology. Rather, it is an appeal to cultural envy and resentments.

In the nation's history, we have seen variations of this before. See also William Jennings Bryan as the economy transitioned from an agricultural/mercantile base to a manufacturing/industrial base in the early 20th century. The current populism getting oxygen as the economy is now changing from a manufacturing base to a service/tech base.

President Trump, with his politics of resentment to the "elites" and the "media" and the like appeals to this populist mood. (President Biden also appeals to it in a different way. He is not a populist per se, but he taps into the mood via his lack of a distinct political identity.) Whatever his many flaws, former President Trump's distinct sense of what can only fairly be called self-pity - "they are out to get me" and the Democratic party's ham fisted efforts to "get" him (see also the Colorado Supreme Court) - fits perfectly and feeds the national mood.

The big difference this time is that the populism of previous eras was set in a technology of mass media - mass circulation newspapers and newsmagazines, movies, radio, television. Whatever their political differences, the public was seeing the world through more or less the same prism.

The new technology - with is algorithms designed to feed the individual what most appeals to them - tends to intensify the sense of grievance and injury. Mr. Trump appeals to this and indeed makes it even worse.

As the nation grows weary of tumult - if history is any guide - the mood of resentment and tumult will subside. Until then, former President Trump is apt to have a large and growing constituency.

[goaded]

Can't you just look at a poll? But Haley is catching up fast. And that's bad news for Democrats because she's got a better chance of winning because the Republicans who voted against Trump last time might vote for her.

[FunkyMonkee]

Trump! Isn't it obvious? Last numbers I saw a few hours ago, Trump had 64%, Nikki had 11%. She might as well drop out, now!! Besides, she's a RINO.

[MikeFrench]

Trump, and that's why the Dems are already cheating..

[goaded]

Bullshit.

[RingOfFire]

Trump. It's not even a race.

[RingOfFire]

And by the way...

[RingOfFire]

[Massageman]

WHY did I choose this one? Because it's true, of course.

[gorydetails]

Nikki Haley has riño and deep state support.

[SolitarySolace]

As well as democrat support

[gorydetails]

yup. Now they are floating that trump will pick her as vp to try to tarnish support for him.

[SolitarySolace]

Exactly, which is why he needs to pick Vivek