U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, April 4, 2016. (Reuters/Photo)
by Matthew Rusling
WASHINGTON, April 5 -- U.S. Republican Party (GOP) front-runner Donald Trump is facing a tough fight in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary, as some of his controversial comments have caught up with him, causing Republican voters to take a second look at his rival Ted Cruz.
The outspoken mogul has in recent months offended a number of demographics with controversial statements about women, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and with his suggestions that allies Japanand the Republic of Korea (ROK) be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. While he retains the lead, some experts said he may be shooting himself in the foot.
Some of Trump's controversy has caused many Republicans to doubt his viability while an increasing percentage of GOP voters who have gone for the other candidates are taking a closer look at Cruz, Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, told Xinhua.
Cruz is trailing behind Trump, but is ahead of the only other remaining candidate John Kasich, governor of Ohio.
"Even though it's a liberal, progressive state, there is also a strong strand of anti-union conservatism that has serious support in the state. Cruz is appealing directly to those voters," Zelizer said.
Brookings Institution's senior fellow Darrell West told Xinhua that Trump is having a difficult time in Wisconsin because there is an active Tea Party organization in the state and the Republicans who vote there are sympathetic to Cruz, a conservative senator from Texas.
"This is a place that has gone hard-right on the Republican side in recent elections," West said.
"Trump has not helped himself by making inflammatory comments this week about women, NATO, and nuclear weapons. That has raised doubts about his suitability to be president and whether he understands the issues," he said.
Cruz has to win Wisconsin in order to ignite his candidacy, and would also need to follow this up with strong showings in the primary contests in the states of New York and Pennsylvania.
"Those are states where Trump currently has a substantial lead and they are places that traditionally have not gone for ultra-conservative candidates," West said.
"Cruz still has a shot, but he will have to win more than two-thirds of the remaining delegates in order to reach the magic number," he said.
The ever-controversial Trump continues to make headlines for his outspoken manner and his expression of opinions that critics describe as radical departures from the norm.
Just last week Trump made waves internationally by suggestions that the United Statespull its military out of Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). He also suggested that the two allies be allowed to develop nuclear weapons to fill the defense gap if the United States withdrew its military.
Such remarks, which exposed Trump's ignorance and lack of knowledge of foreign policy, were widely criticized for being irresponsible and dangerous.
The brash billionaire had already been known for his statements considered to be anti-immigrant and anti-women. While the sharp-tongued candidate has exceeded analysts' expectations -- most initially predicted he would be a flash in the pan -- his negative ratings are still high.
Analysis showed that Trump appeals to many individuals whom the economy has left behind, as millions of Americans continue to struggle financially, even seven years after the 2008 economic downturn.
