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U.S. Republican primary candidates:
»And I am running...«
»... for president...«
»... of the United States...«
»... of America!«
In just over half a year, the so-called primaries of the US Republicans will begin. These primaries will decide who will run as a presidential candidate against Joe Biden in 2024. Even though much looks like a race between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, more and more Republicans are now officially registering their claims from the second and third rows.
Tim Scott, U.S. Republican:
"Hello North Charleston."
Time to take a look at the key candidates and their motivations.
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida:
»The truth must be our foundation.«
The most famous at the moment: Ron DeSantis. 44 years young, governor of Florida and re-elected there last year with almost 60 percent of the vote.
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"He's presenting himself a bit like the new, better Trump. A as someone who, unlike Trump, really gets things done and with whom there is less drama in politics than with Trump. And he hopes to win over Trump voters, but also more moderate Republicans."
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida:
»The woke thought virus stands for a war against the truth.«
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"I think he might have a chance with the Republicans, but he's a very polarizing figure in the general election. And whether he will really be elected by the majority of Americans, I wouldn't be so sure."
Mike Pence, former vice president:
"President Trump was wrong."
His candidacy has been official since Tuesday: Ex-Vice President Mike Pence. For a long time, he was considered a loyal Trump supporter, a yes-man.
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"In the end, Mike Pence discovered his conscience and positioned himself against Trump on January 6 and is basically one of the sharpest Trump critics in this race and hopes to be able to collect many voters from the Republicans who definitely do not want Trump as a candidate."
Mike Pence, former vice president:
"I don't know if the president and I have different positions... But we certainly have a different focus.«
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"He's an insane bore, talks very boringly, he has little charisma and just because of the whole past with Trump, I think he's very biased. And I don't think he's going to really succeed with the Republicans in the end, and certainly not in the actual election."
Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey:
"I say what I mean, and I mean it as I say it. That's what America needs right now."
He, too, has now announced his candidacy: Chris Christie, a dazzling figure in US politics, is considered an eternal talent. Christie served as governor of New Jersey for eight years. For a long time he presented himself as a Trump supporter, now as a harsh critic. One trump card: he is a good speaker.
Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey:
"In the end, I don't think I'm in danger."
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"He's populist, he's middle of the road, so he's a mainstream Republican. I believe that he can bring the necessary spice to this election campaign. Of course, his attacks on Trump will also make him an interesting figure, who will certainly play a greater role in the media."
Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey:
"Donald Trump has made us smaller. By driving us even further apart."
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL
"People like Chris Christie are actually basically a bit on the fringes of politics and such a presidential candidacy, which of course brings them back into the center of attention. And that's something that many of these people want and need for themselves."
The only Black candidate with a chance is currently a senator and comes from South Carolina: Tim Scott. He is supported by wealthy backers such as the head of software giant Oracle and enjoys the trust of the political establishment in Washington.
Tim Scott, U.S. Republican
"I'm running for President of the United States of America!"
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL
"So they all love him because he's such an affable, nice guy. And his message is also very positive. He wants to come across as someone who spreads optimism, who spreads a good mood, who is also able to moderate across party lines. So he's very moderate and an optimistic figure."
Tim Scott, U.S. Republican
"Under Joe Biden, our country is not a country that is giving up, but a country that is in retreat."
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL
"The problem with Tim Scott is that he is not really known to the Republicans. So he has to make himself very well known quickly in order to actually have a chance to play with the others."
Nikki Haley, U.S. Republican:
»The Washington establishment has failed again and again and again."
Nikki Haley is considered a woman with the potential for surprise: rather moderate, but very conservative on topics such as abortion or deportation. The former governor of South Carolina was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump.
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL
"She has never, as she herself emphasizes, lost a political competition, a political race. She is a very experienced campaigner, as they say. She is a woman. Half of the Republican electorate are women. So these are also points that speak for them. And she has a very convincing, charismatic demeanor.«
Nikki Haley, U.S. Republican:
"Instead of taking prisoner and releasing again, we will say: take prisoner and deport."
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"That's why, of all these candidates who are there, besides DeSantis and Trump, I would actually give her almost the greatest chance of being such a surprise candidate, of being a candidate. The one that might roll up the field from behind.«
Donald Trump, ex-US president:
"Soon we shall regain our greatness."
And then, of course, there is Donald Trump, against whom everyone has to assert themselves in the end. According to polls, he is clearly in the lead with more than 50 percentage points of approval. The ex-president tailored the party to himself during his tenure and still has numerous loyal allies there. The fact that many Republicans currently want to compete against him could benefit Trump in the end.
Roland Nelles, DER SPIEGEL:
"Because that can lead to an effect that in the end Trump is the one who always has his voters on his side. And all the others who don't want Trump are spread among many other minds. This is an effect that already helped him in 2016. And if the other candidates don't agree on a strong opponent soon, then Trump would actually sail through like this."
However, proceedings against Donald Trump are still ongoing, among other things because of the hush money affair involving Stormy Daniels. The trial is scheduled to begin in March 2024 – in the middle of the primaries. So it will remain exciting. Officially, the primaries will start on January 8, 2024 in the state of Iowa.