Most observers would agree that the president had a very good weekend on the political front.
Both Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and former Ohio Gov.-turned-CNN commentator John Kasich both ruled out challenging Trump in the Republican primaries next year.
With the two most visible Republican critics of Mr. Trump ruling out a primary challenge, the lone opponent to his re-nomination is former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld — 73 years old, last elected to any office in 1994, and the Libertarian nominee for vice president three years ago.
Put another way, Trump’s assured re-nomination puts him in fighting trim against any Democrat in the fall.
"Neither Kasich nor Hogan would score very high in actual balloting, even in cross-over states where Democrats might wish to cast an early vote against Trump," historian David Pietrusza, author of five critically-acclaimed books on presidential election years, told Newsmax.
But Pietrusza also warned Republicans that "the lack of a Republican primary will, however, focus all attention on the Democratic contest." He cited the Republican race in 2008, when John McCain wrapped up the nomination quite early.
"The focus of all attention, in and outside the media, was on the Democratic contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama," he said.
But Pietrusza quickly added "Trump has a way, actually several ways, of creating his own often-deafening buzz."
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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