Archive for the ‘Republicans’ Category

If Trump Implodes, Republicans Have A Silver Lining In Mike Pence – Huffington Post

WASHINGTON For Republicans on Capitol Hill, Vice President Mike Pence was supposed to be the calm, steadying hand in the White House, the seasoned former Indiana governor and congressman who would be their ears and mouth in the neophyte Trump administration.

Then Pence went on national television last month, before Donald Trump was even sworn in, to assure America that the man selected to be the national security adviser, Michael Flynn, never discussed sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador.

It wasnt true, of course. But Pence didnt know that it was false, and that Flynn had discussed sanctions with the ambassador the very day the Obama administration leveled them in retaliation for Russias attempts to manipulate the U.S. election.

Pence and his many GOP supporters didnt find out hed been misled until mid February, although other top officials in the White House were warned of Flynns dishonesty weeks earlier, in late January. Flynn was forced to resign.

Now, imagine being a Republican on Capitol Hill, and learning that sequence of events involving the man the GOP establishment sees as a sort of safety blanket in the volatile administration.

Um, said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), pausing a full five seconds before offering an uncomfortable laugh and trying to answer whether he was reassured that Pence was not part of the deception, or concerned that the GOPs voice in the White House was entirely out of the loop.

Let me say, I think Mike Pence is very much in the thick of things, and policy, in the administration, Wicker said.

He never really answered whether he was reassured or concerned. But he was clear that he still had confidence in Pence, who served with Wicker when they were both members of the House.

Indeed, all the Republicans HuffPost spoke to just before Congress went on its current recess expressed similar strong support for Pence, while struggling with the implications of a White House that kept him in the dark for two weeks.

Um... Well, said Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), another former House colleague of the vice president, who professed he was not up to speed on the reports of Pence being left out.

Still, it didnt sound good, in theory, to Boozman.

As a general rule, youd always want the vice president in the middle of whats going on, Boozman said especially Pence.

Hes a strong personality, hes a thoughtful guy, he understands Congress, so he really is a natural in regards to going forward, Boozman said. Ive got all the confidence in the world in him. So Id like very much for him to be a major part of the decision-making process, whatever it is.

Some Republicans who have been critical of Trump in the past were willing to express alarm.

Of course its concerning, said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

We dont know what was going on in the White House, as far as the decision-making process is concerned, McCain added. When we have things like the immigration order and we have the vice president saying things, given information, telling the American people that are not true, there is a certain lack of coherence there.

One thing they all agreed on Pence is not the problem.

Mike obviously is a good guy and a good friend, said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). Im kinda glad he wasnt part of it, but Im sure hes not seeking to be excluded. Hell be fine. and Im sure theyll correct the issues they have.

Perhaps the White House will correct the dysfunction, but over the past week, fresh reports have highlighted Russian ties to Trumps campaign.

One report revealed a possible attempt to blackmail former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who resigned after documents surfaced suggesting he was secretly paid millions by Russia-backed Ukrainians.

Other reports revealed that Trump White House officials attempted to influence the FBI, which is investigating aspects of Russian influence on the election. The officials, including Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, tried to get officials in the agency as well as overseers on Capitol Hill to deny news that Trump campaign contacts with Russian intelligence officials werenear constantfor a year.

Whether the federal or congressional investigations end up implicating Trump or any of his aides in attempts to collude with a foreign power to sway an American election is not a question that can be answered yet.

But for all the talk of chaos in the White House for the first month of Trumps reign, Senate Republicans were clear in expressing confidence in the person who would be first in line to replace the president.

Hes been actively involved in the political process and also the governmental process of making political decisions, but also the how-do-you-govern-day-to-day, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). So thats something thats very valuable.

Asked directly if the administration had treated Pence well in cutting him out of the loop on Flynn, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made clear the value Republicans see in Trumps No. 2.

Mike Pence has been the indispensable player, McConnell told reporters just before the recess, which ends Monday. Yeah, hes a huge value added for us. We all know him. He has, I think well all stipulate, a very different kind of personality from the president.

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If Trump Implodes, Republicans Have A Silver Lining In Mike Pence - Huffington Post

Letter: Republicans must repeal Obamacare soon – Knoxville News Sentinel

Knoxville News Sentinel 3:03 a.m. ET Feb. 26, 2017

Letters to the Editor(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Obamacare repeal timeline is slipping away. Our representatives need to act. All Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act and those inother plans need to press our members of Congressto vote to repeal this act now.

We have all heard or personally experienced the horrors, lies and high costs that accompany this plan.

Democrats are stalling and will continue to create issues that cause Republicans to delay repeal,partly to support President Barack Obama's legacy.

With Republicans in charge of the House, Senate and White House, we must make it happen now, along with an effective cancellation date of at least two years. Then immediately form a replacement task force to put together the best parts of a replacement,drawing from the many attractive replacement bills submitted by members of Congress, some of whom were doctors. like Tom Price, newly confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services.

It is very important that in your contacts with your members of Congress, including U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, verbally and in writing stress that the bill must fully repeal Obamacareinstead of saying it must fully support repealing Obamacare. The latter wording leaves room for delay fostered by Democrats to creep in.

We need to help the president break the logjam holding up the ACA's repeal and as constituents continually press our representatives to act. Once this is accomplished, it will act as a very strong incentive to put together a suitable replacement.

The Washington phone numbers are 202-224-4944 for Alexander and 202-224-3344 for Corder.Your House of Representative member's phone number can be found at house.gov,page 19,.

We should all be delighted that we finally have the opportunity to repeal this horrible piece of legislation and help make America great again.

Michael Colicchio, Dandridge

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Letter: Republicans must repeal Obamacare soon - Knoxville News Sentinel

Safe districts may protect Republicans from voter anger – Pensacola News Journal

Ledyard King, USA Today Network 6:10 p.m. CT Feb. 25, 2017

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U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz greets constituents on his way into an Open Gaetz Day event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017.(Photo: Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)Buy Photo

WASHINGTON - The anger spilling out of town halls across Florida and other protests against GOP members of Congress might give Democrats hope that they can marshal that unrest into success at the ballot box in 2018.

Until you consider this:

Six of the 16 Republicans in Floridas 27-member Florida congressional delegation hail from districts where the last two GOP presidential nominees Mitt Romney and Donald Trump) won by an average of at least 20 percentage points: Matt Gaetz, Neal Dunn, John Rutherford, Daniel Webster, Tom Rooney, and Francis Rooney.

Four represent districts where the average GOP margin was between 10 and 20 percentage points: Ted Yoho, Ron DeSantis, Bill Posey, and Gus Bilirakis.

Four are in districts where the average GOP margin is between five and 10 percentage points: Dennis Ross, Vern Buchanan, Brian Mast, and Mario Diaz-Balart.

That leaves two who won districts captured by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in the last two presidential elections: Carlos Curbelo and Iliena Ros-Lehtinen. The bad news for Democrats is both moderates found a way to win re-election by outperforming the top of the ticket.

Linda Fogg, a life-long Republican from Sumter County who opposes Trump, helped mobilize dissenters packing Websters town halls last week. Because Websters district is so red, Fogg said it will require GOP voters like her to pressure him and other GOP lawmakers to stand up to Trump or face their own demise.

The only ones who are going to be able to turn this around are the Republicans, she said. We have to do this. Its not going to happen on the other side.

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Dont be surprised if GOP Sen. Marco Rubio isnt the most enthusiastic advocate for Rick Scott if the Republican governor tries to unseat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year.

For starters, Scott opted not to endorse home state candidate Rubio (or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for that matter) in last years presidential primary, choosing instead to get behind Donald Trump.

Then, when Rubio announced in June hed run for re-election to the Senate, Scott declined to endorse Rubio in his primary race against businessman Carlos Beruff, whom the governor described as a good friend.

And theres also this: Rubio and Nelson have gone to bat for each other despite their political differences.

When Scott came to Washington last summer to push for Zika funding, he accused Nelson of abandoning his constituents by voting against a controversial Zika bill. Rubio on the Senate floor defended Nelson as an important ally in the push for Zika funding.

A few days earlier, Nelson undercut Democratic attacks characterizing Rubio as an impediment to Zika funding. When Rubios Senate challenger Patrick Murphy hammered the GOP incumbent for not doing more to pass President Obamas $1.9 billion Zika bill, Nelson reminded opponents Rubio was the first Republican to back the plan.

Nelson often has kind words for Rubio, saying their partnership is key to achieving the states priorities.

He has always been a gentleman with me, Nelson said recently. My relationship is very good. And that is important for Florida that the two senators get along. And therefore I will not make any negative comments about him if I had em.

Al Cardenas, a former chairman of the Florida GOP, said he expects Rubio will weigh several factors in deciding when and whether to endorse Scott if he runs for the Senate: his relationship with Nelson; the state of the race; the importance of a Florida victory to keep the Senate in GOP hands; and the level of pressure his Senate colleagues are applying on him to endorse Scott.

Ultimately, Scott may not be that interested in Rubios blessing anyway, considering how he became governor on an anti-establishment platform.

I dont think he loses sleep over who supports him and who doesnt especially now that Donald Trump won without any (establishment) support, Cardenas said of the governor. Gov. Scott won without the endorsement of the party brethren. If theres one thing that both (he and Trump) proved, its that they can go directly to the voters and plead their case.

People have a conversation with Bikers for Trump outside U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz's "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Florida Republicans remain smitten with Donald Trump.

A new survey by the Associated Industries of Florida of GOP voters finds that 81 percent approve of his performance as president including 56 percent who strongly give him a thumbs up.

The poll by the conservative business group that often tracks political sentiment in the Sunshine State surveyed 800 voters who had voted in at least one of the last three non-presidential Republican primaries.

Thats in line with national polls that show Trump faring exceedingly well among his conservative followers even as the vast majority of Democrats and a large number of independents rate him poorly. Only 14 percent of Florida Republicans gave him a poor rating.

Even with an endless, round the clock bombardment of negative coverage in the main stream media, the base remains unfazed in their approval of the president, according to the analysis from the GOP-leaning trade group. These numbers shouldnt come as a surprise because (A) these are primary voting Republicans and (B) the president is only doing what he told the voters he would do.

Thats good news for Republican Gov. Rick Scott if he decides to take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year. Scott would already be the favorite to win the GOP nomination in the Senate race and his close ties to Trump would probably make him a lock for the primary.

Scott himself does very well in the AIF survey, with 81 percent also approving his job performance though the 41 percent giving him strong approval means he doesnt quite enjoy the same level of enthusiasm from the base that Trump has.

GOP Sen. Marco Rubio doesnt do too badly either, with 69 percent approving of his performance, though only 25 percent strongly applauded him.

Other high-profile Florida Republicans are still trying to connect with conservatives.

Attorney General Pam Bondi had a favorable rating of 54 percent while 12 percent gave her a thumbs down.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam had a favorable rating of 38 percent compared to 3 percent who had an unfavorable review.

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran had a favorable rating of 16 percent compared to 4 percent who viewed him negatively.

Florida Senate President Joe Negron was viewed favorably by 14 percent and unfavorably by 3 percent.

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Pam Bondi, once seen as a sure bet to leave the Sunshine State and work for President Trump, doesnt even get asked about a slot in the White House anymore.

Asked repeatedly by reporters a couple of weeks ago about a move to Washington, Floridas Attorney General repeatedly insisted she was not taking a job under the administration of President Donald Trump.

So when Bondi held an event honoring Floridas police officer of the year in Tallahassee Wednesday, reporters didnt even bother to ask her about a job with Trump.

Thats not to say it absolutely wont happen.

It was only last month that speculation burned about an impending gig in the West Wing, perhaps as a special counsel in charge of issues shes passionate about such as efforts to stop prescription drug abuse. Around the same time, then-Trump transition team spokesman Sean Spicer described her as someone who has a very valued opinion in the president-elect's world right now.

And Trump, who has been facing Democratic opposition in filling out his Cabinet, still has plenty of jobs to fill.

Contributing: Arek Sarkissian, The Naples Daily News

Contact Ledyard King at lking@gannett.com; Twitter: @ledgeking

Trump Supporters and Opponents have a heated discussion following the U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, FL.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz answers a question about Donald Trumps attack on the media during an "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz enters an "Open Gaetz Day" event to a sea of protesters and supporters at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz answers a question about cutting entitlement programs to pay for defense spending during an "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz answers a question about Muslims during an "Open Gaetz Day" event at Grover T's BBQ in Milton, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

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Safe districts may protect Republicans from voter anger - Pensacola News Journal

Wanted: Three Principled Republicans to Save America From Trump – RollingStone.com

In the summer of 2001, the late Sen. Jim Jeffords from Vermont left the Republican Party, declared himself an independent and caucused with the Democrats, giving the Dems a 51-seat majority in the upper chamber. Jeffords, a lifelong Republican who had served seven terms in the House before winning three Senate races, told supporters that he had struggled with "the changing nature of the national party" and that "in order to best represent my state of Vermont, my own conscience and principles that I have stood for my whole life," he would leave it.

Today, the proximate causes of Jeffords' break with the GOP seem downright quaint. He strongly opposed what he saw as the fiscal recklessness of President Bush's mammoth tax cuts, and was appalled when Senate Republicans refused to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which he had supported as a member of the House back in 1975.

Sixteen years later, many Republicans privately express deep concerns over Donald Trump's temperament, lack of experience and propensity for sparking diplomatic crises with impromptu rants on Twitter. Some are as concerned as their Democratic counterparts about signals that the administration is bent on undermining the Atlantic security alliance and forming closer ties with Russia. Others are alarmed by his attacks on the judiciary, and the perception that he's a thin-skinned, self-obsessed authoritarian.

Some have come forward to offer public statements condemning Trump's travel ban or some of his more inflammatory tweets, but the usual political incentives keep them from going further than that. While Trump's the least popular newly elected president in the history of polling, nearly nine in ten Republicans either "approve" or "strongly approve" of the job he's done so far, according to the latest Politico/Morning Consult poll. As long as the base remains behind the president, Republican officeholders can grumble, but they're constrained from voting against his less qualified nominees or otherwise standing up to his agenda. This is true for the party as a whole; as long as they have unified control of the federal government, and the base is behind Trump, aggressive oversight of the administration will prove elusive.

But this is a moment in history that provides some unusual incentives. If just three GOP Senators had the courage to cross the aisle and caucus with Democrats, they would find themselves in a position to defend our institutions and the norms that have made them more or less functional for more than 200 years, protect the international alliances that have served American interests well in the post-World War II era and assure that our federal agencies are headed by competent, qualified people. (It must have been somewhat embarrassing to confirm Ben Carson to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development only eight weeks after Carson said through a spokesperson that he was unqualified for the job.)

Just three individuals could restore the checks and balances that are clearly so necessary with an administration headed by a reality-TV star who seems to have little knowledge of, or interest in, public policy. The resignation of Michael Flynn, Trump's erstwhile National Security Advisor, for discussing U.S. sanctions with Russia before the president was sworn in, only highlights the vital need for independent oversight of this White House. Important questions remain, but the chairmen of both the House Oversight and Intelligence Committees indicated that they have little interest in investigating the matter, and Politico reported that Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, a Republican, "largely responded to Flynn's resignation by highlighting the retired lieutenant general's record of public service and offering deference to Trump."

A Senate controlled by Democrats wouldn't reflexively defer to Trump. It would investigate Trump's alleged conflicts of interests and assure that he isn't violating the Constitution's Emoluments Clause. It would check those items on Trump's agenda that fall outside the mainstream. At the same time, as "independent Republicans," lawmakers who were to cross the aisle could still join their GOP colleagues in supporting traditional Republican priorities. In the 107th Congress, Democratic leaders released Jim Jeffords to vote as he wished.

John McCain would be an obvious candidate to flip. The traditional foreign policy realist already enjoys the "maverick" brand. His feuds with Trump are well-documented. Last October, he renounced his support for his party's nominee following the release of Trump's recorded comments about grabbing women by their genitals, saying, "It's not pleasant for me. But I have daughters. I have friends. ... They cannot be degraded and demeaned in that fashion." Or Lindsey Graham, who responded to Republicans' embrace of Trump by calling him "the most dishonest person in America," and lamenting that his party had "gone batshit crazy." What about Susan Collins, who refused to vote for Trump because she was so worried that his "lack of self-restraint and his barrage of ill-informed comments would make an already perilous world even more so"? Or Lisa Murkowski, who overcame a primary loss to a Tea Party challenger to win re-election as a write-in. She resigned a leadership position in the state party because she couldn't stomach supporting Trump.

These are only a few of the GOP senators who have expressed deep misgivings about where the country is headed, and the majority of Americans who don't support Donald Trump or the movement he leads need at least three of them to put country before party and stand up to the administration. At a minimum, one would hope that a handful of Republican Senators are thinking hard about what Trump would have to do to force their hand.

Jim Jeffords was the first senator in history to change the balance of power in the upper chamber, but it's not unprecedented in state capitals. Eight New York state senators who were elected as Democrats currently caucus with the Republicans, giving the Grand Old Party a veto on policy that the solidly blue state's electorate never voted for.

It would take guts to do the same in D.C.'s hyper-polarized environment. Many Republicans would see it as treason. When Jeffords retired after three decades on Capitol Hill, only one of his former colleagues took the floor to praise him in keeping with the tradition in the upper chamber.

But today, some Republicans who are skeptical of Trump would understand and even applaud the move. And of course they would become heroes to millions of Americans who fear for their futures under this president. It's also very likely that in the future, history would look back kindly on their courage in defense of the republic.

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Wanted: Three Principled Republicans to Save America From Trump - RollingStone.com

Trump’s Support Is Unwavering Among Republicans. But It’s Not Why You Think. – Huffington Post

WASHINGTON One month into his presidency, Donald Trumps popularity has begun tanking with every constituency, save one.

GOP voters remain loyal to the president. And not by small margins. While just 39 percent of all respondentsin a recent Pew poll said they approved of the job Trump was doing, 84 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning voters said they felt that way. GOP support for Trump surpasses that for George W. Bush, his father, and Ronald Reagan at similar points in their presidencies.

These numbers have fed the perception that Trump is a sui generis type of political figure one whose avid base will stick by him regardless of foible or misstep. Its a perception that Trump himself has pushed, famously declaring that he could stand in the Middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and not lose any votes.

The reality, of course, is far more complicated. And it was readily apparent at this weeks Conservative Political Action Conference. The gathering of students, activists and operatives featured a number of die-hard Trump supporters, including those able to rationalize a principled support of the president,even after such a hypothetical shooting.

Id stand behind him until he is impeached, said Eric Finch of West Virginia. Because he is my president and I respect the office and the process. Id probably go out and call for his impeachment if he shot someone. But there has to be a process. And I imagine there would be a story. Maybe the guy attacked him, or Secret Service wasnt there.

But Trumps hold on the crowd had as much to do with party as personality. People at CPAC approved of Trumpism as much as, if not more than, Trump himself. And their loyalty to the party was, perhaps, supreme.

After eight years of Barack Obama and tax-and-spend economics, a Republican who doesnt do a very good job would have to do a really bad job to anger the movement, said Cody Leach, of Maryland. We have to be a faithful party because we are faithful servants. We have to lead him [Trump] to the light.

CPAC has never been ideal turf for Trump. Though the gathering helped legitimize him among conservatives when he first appeared in 2011, he skipped the conference in 2016, out of fear that the crowd would walk out of his speech in protest. His address on Friday sparked no such act of defiance. It was, instead, a fairly well received, if not meandering, attack on the press, and a review of campaign promises.

Overall, however, the mood was notably more subdued than past gatherings. After eight years out of power in the White House, attendees seemed thrilled to have finally reached the mountaintop. But, as even the organizers conceded, they still didnt know what to make of the sherpa.

There is a good healthy skepticism with most people, said CPACs organizer, Matt Schlapp. Conservatives have felt like theyve taken the bait before. ... Voters get told, Oh yeah. We will do this. And then they get into power and sometimes dont do so much because those issues are controversial. The one thing about Donald Trump is what hes showing conservatives, is that he doesnt seem to care that much if something is controversial. If it is something he said he was going to do, he is a bulldog about getting it done.

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

For Trumps true believers, it is precisely that bulldog nature that makes him such a draw. Standing outside the hotel where the conference was held, Nigel Farage the former leader of the U.K. Independence Party, Brexit champion and closest approximation to Trump that England can offer scoffed at a query about what Trump might do to possibly disappoint.

Its a ridiculous question, Farage said, in between drags from his cigarette. Its a ludicrous question. I dont know. ... What youve seen in the first few days is his full intention to carry out his campaign promises. How refreshing.

Several attendees standing nearby were delighted, one gleefully declaring that Farage had gone full beast mode

Inside the sliding-glass doors of the hotel, others were similarly passionate. Kira Innis, 30, of Los Angeles, who claimed to have wanted Trump to run for president since she was 13, said the only thing that would force her to question her support would be if Trump sanded down his infamously rough edges.

The only thing he could do to piss me off is to stop being Trump, said Innis, arguing that, with an immense sense of brilliance and strategy Trump picked Mike Pence as his vice president precisely for those who wanted political vanilla. If [Trump] isnt that non-nonsense pit bull that he is, then I would be upset. Then Id be like, Ummm. We dont want THAT.

But at CPAC, these types of comments, even from those proudly toting Trump paraphernalia, were the minority. Most attendees said that while they were uncomfortable with Trumps warts, they were able to overlook look them because he was a vessel for their policies.

Dakota Workman, 22, from West Virginia, said the White House was not operating, as Trump insisted, like a fine-tuned machine, though he noted that no administration is this early on. But he appreciated the new coal regulations, the ban on lobbying and Trumps Supreme Court pick even more. If the president backpedaled on Obamacare repeal, he said, hed be upset with Congress and start thinking about ditching Trump. I sucked up my pride and voted for him more because it was about beating Hillary Clinton, Workman explained.

Matthew Edward, 23, came to CPAC from Illinois. Trump was his third choice for president, after Ben Carson and Ted Cruz. But on Thursday, he roamed the halls in a MAGA hat, perfectly content with how the administration was operating.

If campaign season starts up in 2020 and there is no bricks in the [Mexico] wall, I would have to say, at that point, O.K., whats going on? Edward eventually conceded.

As Trump navigates his first year in office, his challenge will be keeping these types of voters in the fold as he confronts the tough realities of actual governance. A border wall wont be built quickly, and the repeal of Obamacare may never occur. The question is whether Workman, Edward and many others can forgive a lack of progress as quickly as they forgive Trumps idiosyncratic politics.

So far, he has been given a fair amount of leeway.

If he told the same lies that Hillary Clinton was caught in using a private email server for public business I couldnt vote for him then, said Andrew Pace, 19, of Florida, who wore a Make America Great Again hat signed by conservative media provocateur James OKeefe as he walked the hotel halls. But even then, Id vote for another Republican candidate. Either that or [Rep.] Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii). I love Tulsi.

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Trump's Support Is Unwavering Among Republicans. But It's Not Why You Think. - Huffington Post