Perhaps not?
Image is from Seattle Times, WaPo feed/story, opening -
For nearly a year, a kitchen cabinet of Donald Trump confidants have told the former president not to announce his 2024 comeback candidacy before the midterms, arguing that he could be a drag on 2022 candidates and would be blamed if Republicans underperformed.
But Trump has continued to regularly push for an early announcement in private meetings, as potential 2024 rivals become more aggressive amid signs of weakening support among his base. Now an increasing number of allies are urging him to follow his instincts as a way to shore up his standing in the party and drive turnout to help the GOP take over the House and Senate next year.
The former president is now eyeing a September announcement, according to two Trump advisers, who like some others interviewed for this article spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. One confidant put the odds at “70-30 he announces before the midterms.” And others said he may still decide to announce sooner than September.
Trump has begun talking with advisers about who should run a campaign, and his team has instructed others to have an online apparatus ready for a campaign should he announce soon, two people familiar with the matter said. He also has begun meeting with top donors to talk about the 2024 race, one of these people said, while on trips to various places across the country.
“If Trump is going to run, the sooner he gets in and talks about winning the next election, the better,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who recently golfed with Trump in New Jersey. “It will refocus his attention — less grievance, more about the future.”
Graham has embraced an argument once dismissed inside much of the party, contending that Democrats are going to use Trump’s unpopularity among some voter groups to try to drive turnout no matter what he does. If he gets in the race soon, they argue, he will be better positioned to drive turnout on the Republican side in the midterms.
“You might as well get the benefit if you’re going to take the lashes too,” said Tony Fabrizio, a Trump pollster working for multiple Senate candidates this cycle. “If you want to energize the base and get the base out, no one does it better than Trump.”
Others have argued that Trump’s direct insertion into the midterm campaign will only play into Democratic plans to make the election a referendum on the extremism of Trump’s “Make America Great Again,” or MAGA, movement. Republicans believe they are on track for a banner midterm year, a result of massive dissatisfaction with inflation, President Joe Biden’s job performance and the direction of the country.
A Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
September surprise? No surprise at all, beyond possible choice of timing.
Trump, DeSantis, Cruz, Pompeo - a grifter, two weasels and a Christomilitaryfascist.
And - Pence, Nicky Haley, and Rep. Cheney.
As a bet, Trump wants - in order - to forestall Pence, Cheney, DeSantis, and then see whether Haley, Pompeo or Cruz would accept second spot.
Deck chairs on the Titanic?
Biden? Will he dump Harris for Shontel Brown?
Clyburn endorsed and touted Brown. DMFI appears to love Brown with money. Biden takes directions. Also, Biden, himself, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus endorsed Brown, (don't forget that).
Also, Brown never jumped Biden about busing.
It could be dump Harris for Val Demmings. (Unless she wins her primary *and* unseats Marco Rubio.)
If Biden had one single real, actual progressive bone in his body, it would be dump Harris, add Cori Bush for VP. (Something as likely as picking Nina Turner, Tina Turner, Ted Turner, Susan Sarandon).