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News Analysis: Trump's Republican critics could help, rather than hurt him

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. billionaire Donald Trump continues to lead the Republican pack despite attacks from leaders within his own party. But the attacks, intended to hurt Trump's chances to grab party nomination, may even end up helping the bombastic businessman, said analysts.

Trump has sparked controversy since his decision to run for the Republican Party presidential nomination. Critics on both sides of the isle have taken issue with his outspoken nature and what many characterize as an obnoxious manner.

Republican establishment candidates fret over the possibility of Trump becoming a nominee or even a president, for party leaders would lose their clout and influence as Trump appeals to Americans' sense of being fed up with what they see as Washington elite.

The last several days have seen 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney pile on criticism against Trump. Romney hammered Trump on a number of issues, saying the bombastic businessman is a "phony" in a speech Thursday at the University of Utah.

"He is playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat," Romney said in a speech that has been heavily cited by U.S. media over the past few days.

But some U.S. experts say this not only does not hurt Trump, but actually could help him, as Trump is an anti-establishment candidate.

"It is not that he did not have some legitimate criticism. But in a lot of ways did (Trump) a big favor by attacking him. Romney is the face of the establishment. Because Romney is making these attacks it bolsters Trump," Republican strategist Ford O'Connell told Xinhua.

Darrell West, a Brookings Institution senior fellow, told Xinhua that it is not clear whether grassroots voters will listen to Republican leaders.

West added that voters are angry at the leadership and this will make it difficult for individuals such as Romney to have an impact.

"Trump's fellow candidates already have said they will support Trump if he gets the nomination so I suspect many party leaders will fall in line behind Trump if he is the nominee," he said.

Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, told Xinhua that the criticisms will help Trump.

"The attack from an establishment figure plays right into the narrative that Trump has been developing, and Romney's weaknesses and inconsistencies offer a perfect foil for Trump," he said.

Trump has appealed to U.S. public that is fed up with the Washington establishment.

His supporters view the Republican-led Congress as inept in countering Barack Obama who they see as an incompetent U.S. president.

Trump also appeals to Americans who view U.S. foreign policy as having significantly weakened amid threats from the Islamic State, a radical terror group that has conquered vast swaths of land in the Middle East.

Some analysts even go so far as to say Washington Republicans have their head in the sand and are completely out of touch with their constituents. Endi