The Wall Street Journal editorial board is asking their readers if former President Donald Trump is âso greatâ for the GOP politically, âWhy are Republicans shut out of power?â
In an op-ed published on Monday evening, the editorial board warns Republicans if they continue to âfocus on the grievances of the Trump past,â they will not govern the majority.
The piece opens by mentioning Trumpâs return to politics with his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
âThe CPAC crowd cheered his speech, which was largely a collection of greatest political hits,â the editorial board wrote.
They continued, âBut if CPAC represented America, Mr. Trump would still reside in the White House, not Mar-a-Lago.â
The op-ed noted Trump lost to President Joe Biden by seven million votes and also lost five states he won in 2016.
âThatâs the cold GOP reality as the former President seeks to dominate the party from exile and tease a 2024 comeback,â the board added.
They explained, âWe welcome the debate, but if 2020 was so fabulous, why are Republicans shut out of power up and down Pennsylvania Avenue? They have zero influence over the $1.9 trillion spending extravaganza they rightly deplore.â
The writers suggested Democrats are âerasingâ Trumpâs legacy on certain issues including, taxes, deregulation, energy, education, and âso much more.â
They pointed out Trumpâs job approval rating never reached above 50% despite his accomplishments in terms of policies.
âHe proceeded to lose the White House on Nov. 3, and he cost the GOP two Georgia Senate races on Jan. 5 as he made his claims of election fraud the main issue rather than checking Mr. Biden and Nancy Pelosi,â the editorial board wrote.
They accused Trump of trying to ârewrite history as someone elseâs fault,â specifically âDemocrats who cheated, Republicans who wonât âfight,â a cowardly Supreme Court.â
âMr. Trump had one landmark victory in 2016 but he has cost the GOP dearly since,â the op-ed reads.
The board referenced a part of Trumpâs CPAC speech where he said he would not form a third party.
âBut he also laid out his political enemies list and is clearly bent on revenge against anyone who voted to impeach or convict him or disagrees with his election claims,â the writers continued.
They argued, âThese intra-party fights will sap GOP energy and resources when their priority now should be retaking Congress in 2022.â
The editorial board concluded, âAs long as Republicans focus on the grievances of the Trump past, they wonât be a governing majority.â
