In the online version of From the Politics Desk, NBC News Politics team provides the latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House, and Capitol Hill. Correspondents Vaughn Hillyard and campaign embed Alex Tabet report from Arizona on Kari Lake’s attempts to win over her GOP skeptics. Lake, previously rejected in her 2022 run for governor, faced the challenge of changing the minds of those she had shunned or ridiculed in order to be successful in her 2024 Senate bid. Several key Arizona Republicans believe Lake’s campaign is facing an uphill battle as she struggles to shake her MAGA instincts.
Despite facing criticisms and skepticism, Lake continues to deny that Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election and promotes right-wing provocateurs in her campaign. Since launching her Senate bid, she has attempted to mend relationships with other Republicans she had alienated during her run for governor. However, her efforts seem to have fallen flat as key figures in the party express doubt in her ability to win. The lack of support from those she had previously offended poses a significant challenge to Lake’s campaign.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is experiencing encouraging signs in national and battleground state polls, marking a potential missed opportunity for Trump. Biden’s recent fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall, expected to bring in $25 million for his re-election effort, demonstrates party unity and energy for the sitting president. In contrast, Trump has spent a significant amount of his funds defending himself in court, hindering his ability to raise substantial campaign contributions and unite the Republican party.
Trump’s lack of liquidity could pose a challenge for his campaign as Biden’s team plans to dump more than $1 billion into their efforts. While Trump has considered putting his own money into his campaign, the timing of this decision is crucial as delays could result in falling behind Biden’s well-funded campaign. The questions surrounding Trump’s financial investment in his campaign and the value he places on the presidency remain uncertain, highlighting the importance of timely strategic decisions.
In other news, Sen. JD Vance’s stock is rising in Trump’s orbit after helping Bernie Moreno win the GOP Senate primary in Ohio. Despite Trump’s rhetoric about rising crime, FBI statistics indicate a drop in crime across the country last year. Additionally, a Democratic bill aims to ban individuals charged with jeopardizing national security from receiving classified information, implicitly targeting Sen. Bob Menendez and Trump. Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to send impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10, amidst ongoing political developments across various issues.
