Donald Trump continues to break the laws, norms, and policies like a bull in a china shop. He simply says “No,” and Congress lets him get away with it — again. His latest antic caught people off guard, though.
Trump spoke to reporters on the White House lawn before traveling to view hurricane damage in North Carolina, according to NBC News, noting that he had no intention of debating some rather formidable contenders: Former Representative Joe Walsh (R- IL), former Representative Mark Sanford (R-SC), and former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld (R-MA). The president said:
‘They’re all at less than 1 percent. I guess it’s a publicity stunt. I’m not looking to give them any credibility.’
South Carolina GOP Chair Drew McKissick released a statement:
‘With no legitimate primary challenger and President Trump’s record of results, the decision was made to save South Carolina taxpayers over $1.2 million and forgo an unnecessary primary. President Trump and his administration have delivered for South Carolinians, and we look forward to ensuring that Republican candidates up and down the ballot are elected in 2020.’
Sanford commented about the GOP:
‘Right now, the sun, moon and stars too often basically orbit around Donald Trump. And if it’s not personal allegiance to him, not issue allegiance or idea allegiance, but if it’s not personal allegiance, it’s not good enough.’
The Trump Campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh said:
‘These are decisions made entirely by state parties, and there are volumes of historical precedents to support them. Nevertheless, President Trump will dominate and prevail in whatever contest is placed before him.’
Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, and South Carolina decided to cancel their primaries. Republican Party Chair Michael McDonald released this statement referring to the location of the primaries:
‘It would be malpractice on my part to waste money on a caucus to come to the inevitable conclusion that President Trump will be getting all our delegates in Charlotte.’
The Kansas GOP decided to abandon its primaries, estimating that it would cost $250,000 to hold a presidential caucus:
‘The Kansas Republican Party will not organize a Caucus for the 2020 election because President Donald Trump is an elected incumbent from the Republican Party.’
Then, Trump claimed he did not “even know who they (his opponents) are:”
‘”I don’t even know who they are,” President Trump says when asked if he’s willing to debate his challengers in the Republican primary and then proceeds to criticize their backgrounds. “To be honest, I’m not willing to give them any credibility,” he adds.’
“I don’t even know who they are,” President Trump says when asked if he’s willing to debate his challengers in the Republican primary and then proceeds to criticize their backgrounds. “To be honest, I’m not willing to give them any credibility,” he adds https://t.co/PB31RdaLut pic.twitter.com/uIcdJnYaUG
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) September 9, 2019
Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward made a similar argument:
‘This is nothing new, despite the media’s inauthentic attempt to portray it as such. Arizona Republicans are fired up to re-elect President Trump to a second term and will continue to work together to keep America — and Arizona — great.’
New Hampshire’s “first-in-the-nation primary” falls under state law instead of the party’s purview. Communications Director for the State party Joe Sweeney told NBC News:
‘…there wouldn’t an option for New Hampshire to cancel.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
