Frank Bruni, a contributing Opinion writer for The New York Times, hosted an online conversation with Ann Coulter, a conservative commentator and author, and Stuart Stevens, a former Republican political consultant. The three discussed their expectations for the first Republican debate of the 2024 presidential election season and the future of American politics.
Bruni began by asking Stevens about the significance of the debate, given Donald Trump’s absence and his commanding lead in the polls. Stevens said that the debate could still matter, even if Trump does not participate, because it would give the other candidates a chance to introduce themselves to voters and to differentiate themselves from Trump.
Coulter then interjected, saying that she did not believe Trump would be the nominee in 2024. She argued that Trump is too unpopular with the general electorate and that he is no longer the force he was in 2016. She also said that Trump is too erratic and unpredictable to be an effective leader.
Bruni challenged Coulter’s assessment, asking her why Trump won the Republican nomination in 2016 if he is so unpopular. Coulter said that Trump won because he was able to tap into the anger and resentment of many white working-class voters. She also said that Trump was able to successfully exploit the issue of immigration.
The conversation then turned to the future of American politics. Stevens said that he believes the Republican Party is in a state of decline and that it will be difficult for the party to win the presidency in 2024. He argued that the Republican Party needs to become more inclusive and to offer a more positive vision for the future.
Coulter disagreed with Stevens, saying that the Republican Party does not need to change. She argued that the Republican Party should continue to focus on its core principles, such as limited government and individual liberty.
The conversation ended with Bruni asking the three guests what they thought the future held for American politics. Stevens said that he was optimistic about the future of the country, but that he believed there would be more political polarization in the years to come. Coulter said that she was pessimistic about the future of the country, arguing that the country was becoming increasingly divided.