Mercer said “Trump was much too critical of pro-lifers” but said that Trump probably thinks that advocating for a federalist approach to abortion will “make it easier for him to campaign on [it] in the general election.”
In an interview with CNA, Mercedes Schlapp, a Catholic who served in the Trump administration, noted that “Roe v. Wade would have never been overturned” without Trump’s Supreme Court appointments.
She emphasized that “he listens to the pro-life community” and was the first sitting president to speak at the March for Life. “Trump delivered on the issue by basically providing strong constitutionalist judges,” Schlapp said.
Schlapp also argued that Iowans remember the economy under Trump and trust him more on national security issues and the border: “Basically things were just better with Trump.”
The lackluster performances by the two candidates racing neck-and-neck for second place, DeSantis and Haley, especially spells trouble for DeSantis, according to Mercer, because he put “so much time and energy” into the contest and “it just becomes that much more steep of a climb” for the governor.
Alternatively, Mercer noted that Haley “could pull off a surprise in New Hampshire,” which has a Republican base that is “more liberal and moderate.” However, he said she could still struggle “in future states that will be much more conservative.”
Schlapp pointed out that even if Haley performs strongly in New Hampshire, she will “run into the issue of South Carolina where President Trump dominates” and would probably need to “drop out” if she loses her home state.
The next Republican contest will be the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 23. Then, the Nevada and Virgin Island caucuses will be held on Feb. 8, the South Carolina primary will be on Feb. 24, and the Michigan primary will be on Feb. 27. Idaho and Michigan caucuses will be held on March 2; the Washington, D.C., primary will be held on March 1–3, and the North Dakota caucus will be held on March 4.
There will be 16 contests on Super Tuesday, which is on March 5: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.
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