From its lack of popularity with young voters to the Nikki Haley wild card, the GOP has had a tough week

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Updated Jan 5, 2024 at 03:25 PM

Reading time: 3 minutes

52464

Welcome to week 4 of our weekly recaps with everything you need to know about the 2024 US presidential election. It’s safe to say that the past seven days have been full of political drama, from the Republican Party’s increasing attempts to block students from voting to Ron DeSantis’ bizarre “human faeces” stunt during a televised debate with Gavin Newsom, and all the way down to Nikki Haley’s progress in going after Trump.

Students, a force to be reckoned with

In a political landscape marked by constant evolution, an unexpected force is gaining prominence within the Grand Old Party (GOP)—students. Traditionally aligned with progressive ideals, young voters are now a focal point in the party’s strategy. During a spring special election, Dane County, home to the University of Wisconsin, saw an impressive turnout of almost a quarter million voters, surpassing the number in Milwaukee, a county with nearly double Dane’s population.

Notably, 82 per cent of Dane voters passionately supported liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz in her bid for the state Supreme Court. The outcome was an 11-point victory for Protasiewicz, which adds significance as her vote could sway the court’s decision on gerrymandering.

The GOP, already reeling from Wisconsin’s lead in youth turnout during the 2022 midterms, faced a stark awakening with the April defeat. Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker bluntly acknowledged, “Young people are the issue,” emphasising the need for a strategic shift to win elections. Walker’s historical involvement, including signing a law that restricted the use of student IDs for voting, reflects a long-standing awareness of the power wielded by young voters.

Despite the evident surge in student engagement in Wisconsin over the years, the GOP appears undeterred, continuing to employ tactics aimed at limiting student voters. This aligns with a broader national trend, where targeted endeavours to disenfranchise student voters have gained momentum, driven by the realisation of the bloc’s crucial role in securing Democratic victories. While these efforts had mixed success in 2023, they are expected to intensify in 2024, underscoring the growing apprehension among Republican officials and strategists regarding the influence of young voters.

Ron DeSantis’ unconventional tactics: Maps, socks, and political messaging

Governor Ron DeSantis recently exemplified this shift with a unique attempt to discredit California Governor Gavin Newsom, involving an argument on “human faeces.” Using maps and visual aids, DeSantis underscored challenges faced by cities like San Francisco, signalling the GOP’s acknowledgement of the need to connect with younger demographics and challenging traditional narratives.

The recent televised debate between DeSantis and Newsom showcased the Florida governor’s unapologetic and unconventional approach to political discourse. Holding up a map highlighting human faeces on San Francisco streets, DeSantis criticised California’s management of homelessness and crime. This visual tactic, coupled with the sale of satirical socks called “Newsom’s California Walking Socks,” marks a departure from traditional political messaging.

While DeSantis’ tactics may seem eccentric, they align with a broader trend in modern politics, where visuals and memorable symbols play a crucial role in shaping public perception. His approach raises questions about the changing nature of political communication within the GOP and the lengths politicians are willing to go to capture attention and make a statement.

@kenneth.green88

Incase you missed it......... It's funny all that idiot Gavin Newsom could do is Laugh Ron DeSantis is right .... DeSantis holds up a map of human feces in San Francisco: "Human feces is now a fact of life, except when a communist dictator comes to town. Then they cleaned up the streets

♬ original sound - Kenneth Green

Nikki Haley's billion-dollar gamble: Koch network’s endorsement

In the intricate web of US politics, another significant narrative has unfolded this week—Nikki Haley’s billion-dollar gamble. Positioned as a pivotal figure in the GOP’s 2024 presidential bid, Haley receives a game-changing endorsement from the influential Koch network, less than 50 days before voting starts. This endorsement, accompanied by substantial financial backing, positions Haley as a potential alternative to Donald Trump.

Koch Network’s endorsement injects considerable resources into Haley’s campaign, departing from conventional GOP endorsements. The move carries implications for the party’s internal dynamics and sheds light on the challenges of competing against a political giant like Trump. As Haley aims to carve a path distinct from Trump’s influence, the billion-dollar gamble prompts broader questions about the GOP’s ideological direction and the role of major donors in shaping party politics.

Bolstered by a strategic campaign, a fresh generational message, and commendable debate performances, Haley is gaining traction as a Trump alternative.

However, despite the substantial support from the Koch-affiliated group, which boasts significant financial resources and a robust political apparatus, this endorsement raises pertinent questions for Haley, who is navigating the challenging terrain of breaking the highest glass ceiling in politics as a woman.

One crucial question is whether this late-stage boost will position Haley as one of the best-financed runners-up in US political history, or if she can leverage it to mount a formidable challenge to the ex-president. The endorsement introduces a dynamic element, potentially creating conditions under which Trump, who currently enjoys a substantial lead in GOP primary polls, could face a credible challenger. This shift might accelerate Haley’s ascent, potentially overshadowing competitors like DeSantis and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the GOP finds itself at a critical juncture, balancing tradition with innovation, and navigating a political landscape where students, visuals, and financial backing play pivotal roles. The coming months will reveal whether these emerging dynamics reshape the party’s identity and influence its trajectory in the years to come.

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

Introducing Nikki Haley: the Republican challenging Donald Trump in the 2024 US Presidential race

By Charlie Sawyer

What would happen if the 2024 US Presidential election played out like the last season of Succession?

By Charlie Sawyer

Why you should be prepared to see Donald Trump’s name on the 2024 US presidential ballot

By Abby Amoakuh

Barron Trump is being groomed to take over the Trump empire and the graduation fuss proves it

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Tradwife influencer uses racial slur in cooking video, unapologetic amid backlash

By Charlie Sawyer

How much is the morning after pill and why are we still paying for it?

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Children as young as 14 participate in feral cat-killing competition, leaving over 300 animals dead

By Charlie Sawyer

Texas’ far-right political movement is on the rise, now wanting to introduce death penalty for abortion patients

By Abby Amoakuh

The dark truth behind TikTok viral Ballerina Farm Hannah Neeleman’s idyllic life

By Abby Amoakuh

Drake calls for release of Tory Lanez, proving once more that he’s a rapper for the manosphere

By Charlie Sawyer

AOC held hands with Joe Biden one time, now sexists are calling her a sell-out

By Charlie Sawyer

From being besties with Eminem to birthing the royal baby, here’s things you didn’t know about Trisha Paytas

By Abby Amoakuh

Watch gun-toting Republican politician Valentina Gomez rap about Trump’s criminal conviction

By Abby Amoakuh

Online adoption ads prey on pregnant women in actions reminiscent of the Baby Scoop era

By Charlie Sawyer

SheerLuxe’s new AI-generated editor isn’t a stroke of genius, it’s a sign of ignorance

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

What is the viral red nail theory and does it actually work?

By Louis Shankar

None of the UK political parties’ manifestos offer proper protection for the LGBTQIA+ community

By Charlie Sawyer

Piers Morgan responds to Shakira’s claim that the Barbie movie is emasculating

By Charlie Sawyer

Is Rishi Sunak’s 4 July general election a strategic move to hit uni student voter turnout?

By Charlie Sawyer

Would you rather be stuck in a forest with a man or a bear? Unpacking our viral TikTok video