Editor's note: This recording was taped before Ron DeSantis suspended his 2024 campaign.
Ky Urban and Nathan Duval are registered Republicans studying at Southern New Hampshire University. They both voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 general election, but only one of them plans to do so again in 2024. Ahead of the New Hampshire primary, they debated Trump's candidacy
At the time of this conversation, Urban was deciding between Rick DeSantis or Nikki Haley, and said if the primary were happening today, he'd pick Haley. Meanwhile, Duval thought neither DeSantis nor Haley had a chance at becoming the nominee, and that Trump has already demonstrated himself as one of the toughest and most efficient presidents.
"[Trump's] not carrying the 2016 wave anymore," Urban said. "He's basically the Grim Reaper carrying a scythe over 2020, not letting it go."
"I don't think that's just a Trump thing," Duval responded. "I'd say there's a fair portion of the GOP who still hold onto 2020."
As for what the GOP should focus on, they both agreed there's too much focus on the past. For Duval, that means party members need to stop saying the election was stolen and reaffirm to voters that they can win. He complimented the Democratic Party for their "amazing model" of a winning campaign in 2020, particularly with the promotion of mail-in ballots.
Urban is concerned “Trumpism” can no longer work and that the party needs to bring back neoconservatism and the ideals they once stood for—values that he thinks Gen-Z’ers stand for today. He's scared that the GOP will swerve too far and become authoritarian.
Ultimately, while the two share similar conservative values, neither was convinced by the other on who they were hoping would get the party nomination.
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