With the presidential election just weeks away, Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign is trailing Vice President Kamala Harris by a small margin in national polls as both candidates rush to the finish line.

This race is tight. While this might not come as a shock today, it’s something that few Republicans would have anticipated before President Joe Biden exited the race this summer.

So, what could be the reason behind this close election?

As Trump keeps speaking, many Americans are reminded of his shortcomings as a candidate, particularly regarding his character and communication skills. Republicans might be pondering what could have transpired if a different candidate, like Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, had led the GOP ticket instead of Trump.

I realize this scenario is unlikely. Vance did not participate in the GOP primary, as he chose to align himself with Trump to boost his chances of becoming the vice-presidential nominee. Yet, I still find myself imagining how the election might be different had Republicans opted for an alternative candidate in the primaries.

A Different Republican Candidate Would Be Leading in the Polls

In this favorable political environment, Republicans should have chosen a safer, more capable candidate, like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, the two frontrunners in the GOP primary.

A candidate like former South Carolina Governor Haley, who could attract some moderate Democrats, would have presented a significant challenge for the Democratic side. Additionally, even someone with a strong MAGA base, like DeSantis, would likely be performing better against Harris than Trump is.

GOP voters chose to endorse Trump, believing that their advantages against Biden allowed them to take the risk of nominating a candidate who could be easily defeated by Biden and Harris.

Voters Expect Candidates to Have Some Flaws, But Trump Has Too Many

Voters can overlook various issues surrounding their candidate because if you’re searching for perfection, politics is not the place to be. Many voters like myself would have been acceptable with any of the other viable candidates in the primaries.

Nevertheless, I find Trump’s character and abilities to be barriers too high to overcome as a conservative voter. This sentiment is echoed by more moderate or centrist voters.

While one can criticize candidates like DeSantis, Haley, and Vance for their shortcomings, they typically possess the kind of traditional political baggage. In contrast, Trump stands out due to his history, which includes attempts to overturn an election and multiple attacks against women—along with his status as a convicted felon.

The reasons many of us view Trump as unfit for the presidency stem from his questionable character or his electoral interference attempts. Remove those factors, and many conservatives who are unwilling to vote for Trump might consider supporting his policy agenda if it were represented by a different candidate.

Vance Highlights Trump’s Ridiculousness

Vance has a flawed understanding of conservatism. Although we fundamentally disagree on many issues, I’d still vote for him if he were leading the ticket.

Given his performance in the recent debate, Vance has gained traction within the GOP. His presentation was likely the first extended exposure many Americans had to the vice presidential nominee, making it a positive introduction.

As I watched that debate, I couldn’t help but notice how coherent Vance’s positions were compared to Trump’s muddled statements in his own debate. I began to think how different this race would be if someone like Vance had been at the forefront.

Vance doesn’t embody the same morally questionable traits as Trump, despite my belief that he has compromised his principles in certain areas. Unlike Trump, he hasn’t faced credible allegations of sexual assault, doesn’t have a prominent history of cheating, and hasn’t been involved in trying to undermine the results of a legitimate election in the U.S.

His biggest fault may be his lack of conviction, but I would argue that’s a common trait among politicians.

Trump is unqualified to lead the United States, not due to his policies, but rather because he lacks the integrity needed for the role.

For conservatives like myself to support the GOP, a shift away from Trump is essential. Vance appears to be part of the party’s strategy to facilitate this change, but it would have been far more effective if Republicans had made this move for this election cycle, instead of taking another chance with Trump.