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With all the controversies, scandals, tough headlines and reported infighting in the White House, it would have been easy for Republican power players speaking at this weeks E2 Summit to vent and bash the Trump administration -- but they didnt.

Those Republicans invited to speak at the annual E2 Summit this weekend -- far from Washington in Park City, Utah, -- have been some of the vocal critics of Donald Trump, but instead of distancing themselves from the president, they instead told friends and colleagues at the event they are cautiously optimistic about his administration and want to help it succeed.

Dont you want to help the president? Dont you think we all should? Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked the intimate crowd of businessmen and politicians from around the country.

We are much closer than we were just immediately following the election, the summits host, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, said about Trump.

I think we have a president who is learning, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., agreed. Hes got a national security team that is as strong as I have ever seen.

Despite very public disagreements with the current president, all three of these men spoke kindly as they offered their advice, driving home the idea that they still think congressional Republicans and Trump could work together. They spoke about building bridges with the administration and their confidence in the current cabinet.

Graham, McCain and Romney all agreed, first and foremost, that the president needs to take a tougher stand on Russia and acknowledge the severity of Vladimir Putin's attempt to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election. Romney said that much of the conspiracy theories about Trump, his taxes and his staff could have been avoided had the president said outright, this is outrageous.

No one is suggesting it affected the outcome, but [Russians] tried to affect the outcome. This is outrageous, he said, suggesting Trump tell the country, I hope the FBI carries out a thorough investigation of who has anything to do with this and lets move on.

Instead, when you attack and say it is fake news, you just bring more and more attention and more and more people say, whats going on here?'... The more you stir a turd, the more it stinks, he continued.

Graham said Trumps relationship with Putin was his single biggest problem with the president, but added, again, that he wanted to help him.

He believes talking about Russian interference delegitimizes his win, Graham echoed. Thats not true.

The South Carolina senator urged that the president back the bill he and McCain authored to increase sanctions on Russia, and threatened to work to override a veto should the president refuse to sign it. I think it would serve the president well if we publicly say, This is right, we should punish Russia for interfering in our elections.

I will do anything I can to help this president, except give up my own judgment, he added.

McCain told the crowd he is glad the president is calling Graham, his former primary opponent, more frequently. Graham joked that he begged the president not to tweet on Thursday during the Comey hearing. Listening, these men said, could serve the president well.

I want you to understand, despite of all this clutter, that we can pull it off," Graham concluded his remarks. "We can do things that are good for this country and President Trump can be a consequential president. But if he doesnt adjust the way he is behaving and he doesnt let people help him, he is going to lose the last best chance our Republican Party has to change America and make our voice heard."

During the event, Graham also offered domestic policy advice. He complimented the presidents willingness to take bold actions and offered that he go big on environmental and immigration issues.

At the end of the day, the one thing I can tell you about Trump -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- he is willing to do things that no other Republican would think about doing, Graham said. How about a carbon fee?

He argued that the president could both reinvigorate the coal and clean energy technology industries by calling for the federal government to put a price on carbon. A rather liberal idea, Graham said, could have economic advantages for the country and political pluses for his party.

If you are from 18 to 35 [years old] this is a top-five issue for your consistency. Whether we like it or not, young people have been educated through movies and TV that we need to be better stewards of Gods creation, he said. We need to get into environmental game and not give it all to Al Gore.

Is it hard politics? Hell yes, he added. Trump might do it. I am going to advocate that he thinks big.

Romneys advice for the White House was statelier -- almost grandiose. Without naming Trump, he closed his speech with a soliloquy, which seemed to allude to the current president and what his ideas and term so far had meant for the reputation of the country.

If you want to make America great, youve got to believe in goodness, he said, becoming emotional and choked up at times. We stand with good people and good leaders."

What does this country represent? Human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, a conviction that we should aspire for every person to have equal opportunity, he continued. Do we welcome the huddled masses of the earth yearning to be free? That's who we are. That's the cost in the ground in Arlington.

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Romney, McCain and Graham urge Trump to act on Russia, listen to those offering help - ABC News

Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather is predicting that some Republicans could defect from President Trump if his poll numbers slip below 30 percent.

"They're afraid that he may have indeed committed some impeachable offense, and also they're hearing from home that a lot of their constituents have increasing concerns about the Trump presidency," Rather told CNN's Don Lemon.

"As long as he's able to hold that 35, 38 poll rating you may not see that, but I repeat for emphasis, once it gets down below 30 percent, you'll see some Republicans going the other way," said the longtime host.

Despite being saddled with a steady stream of controversies and consistently low approval ratings in his first months in office, Trump has largely maintained the backing of GOP lawmakers.

Trump's approval rating currently sits at 39 percent, according to a Real Clear Politics average of presidential job approval ratings. Among Republicans, his approval rating is much higher.

The president has faced mounting controversies, particularly related to the ongoing law enforcement investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion between his election campaign and Russia. Trump has repeatedly called the probe a "witch hunt" and has denied any wrongdoing.

The latest controversy came on Thursday, when fired FBI Director James Comey told lawmakers during a congressional hearing that Trump had once asked him in private conversation for a pledge of loyalty and then to drop the bureau's investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Paul RyanPaul RyanDan Rather predicts Republican defect if Trump approval falls below 30 percent Ex-GOP rep: Ryans impeachment claim about Trump 'isnt true' Tom Brokaw: 'Trump ran as a big time exec, not as an apprentice' MORE (R-Wis.), acknowledged that the president's requests may have been inappropriate, but defended his actions as rookie mistakes the result of Trump's lack of government experience.

But some of Trump's highest-profile policies have spurred backlash, as well. His decision last week to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, for example, sparked nationwide protests and prompted vows by numerous business leaders, governors and mayors to uphold the agreement in spite of Trump's announcement.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted in the wake of Trump's decision found that nearly six in 10 Americans oppose withdrawing from the climate deal.

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Dan Rather predicts Republican defect if Trump approval falls below 30 percent - The Hill (blog)

By Matt Spetalnick | WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON A group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Friday urging him not to reverse former President Barack Obamas opening to Cuba even as White House aides moved closer to completing a plan that could tighten rules on trade and travel to the island.

With the Cuba policy review approaching its final stages, both sides of the issue have stepped up lobbying to sway Trumps decision on how far to go in rolling back measures that Obama implemented after a 2015 breakthrough with Americas former Cold War foe.

In the letter, seven of Trumps fellow Republicans expressed deep concern that he is considering rescinding Obamas policies and said that such a move would incentivize Cuba to once again become dependent on countries like Russia and China.

The warning reflected growing unease on Capitol Hill over returning to a more contentious approach to communist-ruled Cuba, even within a Republican party that has traditionally hewed to a harder line against Havana.

Senior officials at the National Security Council were meeting on Friday to craft recommendations that will be sent to the principals committee - Trumps top foreign policy advisers - and then to the president, people familiar with the matter said.

Though divisions remain within the administration, Trump could make an announcement within weeks, possibly as early as mid- to late June in a speech in Miami, U.S. officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Trump's changes are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored two years ago after more than five decades of hostility, administration officials say.

Among the options under consideration are banning U.S. companies from doing business with Cuban enterprises tied to the military and tightening rules on Americans traveling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.

A White House official, asked about the latest meeting, said the Cuba review is still under way and not final.

The U.S. airline and travel industries have made clear they do not want to see reinstatement of Cuba restrictions.

But Trump has come under heavy pressure from Cuban-American lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, to roll back Obamas rapprochement.

My hope is that when the administration is done with their review, they dont let one or two voices overwhelm what is in the interest of the United States, Representative Tom Emmer, a signatory to the letter, told Reuters.

One of four pro-engagement Republicans who met with White House officials on Thursday, Emmer said they urged the administration not to go too far in rolling back Obamas measures.

Trump threatened shortly after his election in November to terminate Obamas approach unless Cuba made concessions, something it is unlikely to do.

Obama implemented his normalization measures through executive actions, and Trump has the power to undo much of it.

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Leslie Adler)

In September 2014, Gilberto Velasquez, a 38-year-old house painter from El Salvador, received life-changing news: The U.S. government had decided to shelve its deportation action against him.

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's social media director Dan Scavino broke the law in April in calling for Trump supporters to defeat a Republican congressman at the polls, according to a letter from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.

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Some Republican lawmakers urge Trump not to reverse Cuba opening - Reuters

New York Times

Greg Gianforte, Montana Republican Charged With Assaulting Reporter, Apologizes New York Times Greg Gianforte, the Montana Republican charged with assaulting a reporter the night before he won a seat in the House of Representatives last month, formally apologized to the reporter on Wednesday and said he would donate $50,000 to a journalism ... Mont. Republican Greg Gianforte apologizes for assaulting Guardian reporterUSA TODAY Republican congressman-elect Greg Gianforte writes apology to reporter he punched and bodyslammedBoing Boing Montana Republican seeks to delay court appearance for assault chargeThe Hill Shareblue Media -Slate Magazine (blog) -The Guardian -Fox News all 132 news articles »

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Greg Gianforte, Montana Republican Charged With Assaulting Reporter, Apologizes - New York Times

Think a little vacation would get your mind off politics for awhile? (AP Photo/Alex Menendez)

The Trump International Hotel in Washington may have raked in the profits during the inauguration festivities and ever since, come to think of it. But for most in the lodging and tourism industry, high season is just gearing up.

Its a set of interests that was exceptionally involved in politics during the past two years, investing more in political candidates, parties and outside spending groups during the 2016 election cycle than ever before. The industry broke spending records with its contributions of nearly $24 million. Its lobbying outlays, too, topped previous levels in 2016 at about $12.4 million.

Not only that, but these hotels, resorts and travel companies shifted to the left in the last cycle: 62 percent of the funds it gave to politicians and parties went to Democrats. The last time the industry was this partisan was in 2002 when it gave 64 percent of its candidate and party donations to Republicans. Most of the contributions were from individuals, rather than company or trade group PACs.

A couple of new donors emerged to become top contributors. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau gave the most with about $4.8 million all of which went to the Democratic Party, which held its presidential nominating convention in that city last year. And American Pacific International Capital, an international holding company that owns boutique hotels in the U.S. and large luxury hotels in China, came in third with $1.3 million; it had never before made the industrys top 20.

Others in the 2016 top five Diamond Resorts, which specializes in timeshares ($2.1 million), theAmerican Hotel & Lodging Association ($965,000) and TRT Holdings, which owns Omni Hotels ($890,000) were more familiar contributors from the industry. While Diamond Resorts kept with the groups overall liberal leanings, AHLAand TRT Holdings both favored Republicans.

Vanessa Sinders, senior vice president for government affairs at the AHLA, said the organization has become more proactive in telling the tourism industrys narrative by communicating with politicians and advocating on the issues it cares about.

We have been and continue to be a very bipartisan organization, Sinders said. We work with both sides of the aisle to get things done.

Marriott International, one of the lodging and tourism industrys top five contributors for the past two decades, was pushed down to No. 6 on the list with $811,000. Historically, Marriott has been among the industrys biggest GOP supporters, but in 2016 both its PAC and its employees favored Democrats, following the industry-wide trend.

Marriott also sat in the industrys No. 6 spot in spending to lobby the government last year, with outlays of $670,000. Ahead of it in the rankings was the Dorchester Group, an offshoot of a company owned by the government of Brunei, which spent $1.1 million. Dorchester Group is relatively new to the lobbying scene and reported record expenditures for this activity in 2016.

The other top lobbying clients for the lodging and tourism industry in 2016 were the AHLA($2.4million), the U.S. Travel Association ($2.3 million), the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions ($1.2 million) and Blackstone Group , which has big investments in Hilton Hotels, La Quinta Inns & Suites, Motel 6 and Wyndham.

What do hotels and similar companies care about in D.C.? Many issues, it turns out. A few from last year included:

For issues like online booking scams, Sinders said the tourism industry has seen an drastic increase in the number of people concerned about them. In 2015, about 6 percent of hotel-goers were were worried about online booking scams. But, Sinders said, this number jumped up to 22 percent in 2016, which is partly why AHLA has more actively lobbied on the subject.

We are working with Congress and the Federal Trade Commission on ways to fix this issue, Sinders said. She added that legislation with bipartisan support has been introduced to Congress that would require third-party websites to explicitly state they are not affiliated with a hotel.

Other ways to get out of town

Much like the lodging and tourism industry, the cruise industry also topped its personal best in contributions to candidates, parties and outside spending groups in the 2016 election. Its nearly $2 million in contributions almost doubled its previous record of about $1 million.

Cruise lines tend to have a more conservative bend than hotel companies, though: The industry gave 57 percent of its donations to candidates and party committees to Republicans. Its top contributors were Carnival Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Line with $940,000 and $320,000, respectively.

The 2016 lobbying total for cruise ships and lines was consistent with the past few years, although not the highest in its history. Last year the industry spent about $3.2 million on lobbying, with fully half of that coming from the Cruise Lines International Association with $1.6 million. Its top issues were taxes and a measure having to do with payments to stewards on the industrys ships.

Airlines that increasingly unpopular element of tourism pumped big money into the 2016 election: $7.5 million in contributions, its largest sum since 1990. About 52 percent of the funds these companies gave to candidates and party committees went to Democrats this time around, up from their average of 45 percent. The airlines industrys turn to the left parallels that of the lodging and tourism industry, although the switch is not as sharp.

The top contributors in the industry were American Airlines Group with $2.4 million; Delta Air Lines with $1.8 million; and United Continental Holdings (which owns United Airlines) with about $1 million. American Airlines Group and Delta Air Lines both favored Democrats with their contributions, while United gave slightly more to Republicans.

All three top contributors were big in the lobbying arena as well. American Airlines Group topped the list with $7.9 million spent, edging out No. 2 Airlines for Americas $6.4 million and more than double the $3.5 million spent by United Continental Holdings, which came in at No. 3. Delta Air Lines followed, spending $2.5 million. Issues? You name it, but the long laundry list includes such things as transportation security, passengers rights and aircraft noise and emissions.

And to circle back to Donald Trumps hotels: Astonishingly, the Trump Organization contributed only $51,463 in the 2016 cycle less than it has given in any election cycle since 1992. Not as surprisingly, more than 95 percent of that went to Republicans.

The sum doesnt include donations Trump made to his own presidential campaign, though, totaling almost $66 million, or close to 20 percent of the funds he raised.

And you thought a nice vacation would be a break from nasty partisan politics

Excerpt from:
Your summer vacation: Democratic or Republican? - Center for Responsive Politics