ELECTION/GOP/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Donald Trump declared himself ‘the most popular president in the history of the Republican Party’ on Wednesday [1-2-19]. Yet his allies fear a primary challenge from a high-profile Republican could doom his re-election. The concern was outlined in a private email shared among Republican National Committee members hours after the GOP’s last failed presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, lashed out at Trump’s character and global leadership in an opinion article published in The Washington Post. Romney is set to be sworn in as Utah’s junior senator on Thursday [1-3-19]. His scathing message was widely interpreted as a sign of encouragement for Republicans including outgoing Ohio Gov. John Kasich and retiring Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake to take on Trump. While a successful primary challenge is highly unlikely given Trump’s grip on the GOP base, some fear it would consume energy and resources badly needed by Trump, who is facing record-low approval ratings and signs of revolt among suburban voters.”
–The Associated Press, “Republicans Worry a Primary Challenge Would Hurt Trump,” The New York Times online, January 2, 2019