Staff Reports
Trump proves he calls the shots for GOP
It is now official. President Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party.
Perhaps those who cannot bring themselves to admit that reality, perhaps they can dissociate themselves from the GOP and just use the generic term “Trump’s party.” Either way, the 45th president is calling the shots and setting the tone.
A Google search going back to 2016 will find multiple analysis pieces proclaiming Trump as the party boss at various points before June 12, 2018. The stars aligned this week in such a way that allowed any previous claims to Trump ownership are now superseded.
While Trump was jetting home from Singapore following the previously-unthinkable summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, voters in South Carolina, Virginia and other states were choosing candidates for the fall elections. Among those seeking another term in Congress: “Never Trumper” Mark Sanford of South Carolina.
Trump blasted Sanford via a tweet while on Air Force One, while praising his opponent Katie Arrington, finishing the post with “VOTE Katie!”
Arrington pulled off the upset.
In the Virginia Senate primary, Trump did not get directly involved as he did in South Carolina. The nominee who emerged to take on Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine in November, Corey Stewart, is described in a USA Today opinion piece as “Trumpy before Trump was.”
Sanford’s fall sends a clear message that crossing Trump is suicide in a primary and could cost them Republican votes in November. Democrats demanding Republicans abandon Trump know full well the odds of a blue wave would rise if they took that politically dangerous step.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tiptoed around criticizing Trump this week when Rubio called him out for his description of Kim (see “Rubio skeptical” below) as a “talented guy.” Rubio has also sharply criticized Trump’s easing of penalties on Chinese telecom firm ZTE.
His tone would likely be different if he was on the ballot this year.
Democrats celebrating the change of command at the top of the GOP should pause and reflect. Many are making the same mistake Republicans did 20 years ago when they depended upon scandal to lead them to electoral success.
In 1998 with Lewinsky-gate rocking Washington, the GOP prepared for big gains in the midterm elections. President Bill Clinton’s job approval ratings helped Democrats defy the odds and actually pick up five seats that year.
The blue wave could still happen, but “Trump collusion” will likely have as much effect as Clinton’s personal problems two decades ago. As Trump’s job approval numbers now reside in the mid-40s, Republicans are cheering up.
This week alone, Trump basked in the glow of the summit, reports that the economy is growing at nearly four percent, the revelation that weekly jobless claims reached a 44-year low, and news that the soccer World Cup is coming to North America.
On Thursday, he celebrated his 72nd birthday as some even give him credit for the World Cup announcement.
Democrats still have a reasonable chance to retake control of the House, but with a strengthening economy, Republicans are feeling better each day about their chances of holding on.
Rubio skeptical of any deal with North Korea’s Kim
Florida’s junior Senator appeared on Fox News Tuesday offering reaction to Trump’s summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While some of his colleagues were visibly pleased with the pictures and the results, Rubio was more measured.
In fact, some Republicans and conservative media felt he was criticizing Trump. In a tweet, Rubio seemed to mock the president’s reference to Kim as a “talented guy.”
“While I know @potus is trying to butter him up to get a good deal, #KJU is NOT a talented guy,” Rubio said. “He inherited the family business from his dad & grandfather. He is a total weirdo who would not be elected assistant dogcatcher in any democracy.”
He denied his comments were intended as criticisms of Trump. Instead, they were meant to convey his skepticism of any deal that might be reached with Kim.
“The president is optimistic and he needs to be. He’s the guy negotiating and he needs to make the other side feel like he’s serious about getting something done,” Rubio said. “But for the rest of us who are watching and know the history of North Korea, we should be skeptical. This is the county that has made promises before and has broken them.”
Rubio said it was the job of lawmakers to be “clear-eyed about any deal and that Congress should vote it, reflecting criticism of the Iran accord, so it’s a ‘binding treaty.'”
Nelson blasts Trump, Scott over Obamacare lawsuit
With the Justice Department refusing to defend the Affordable Care Act in a court challenge from 20 states (including Florida), the entire law is at risk of being declared unconstitutional. Without the law, or a replacement ready to take its place, popular provisions such as health coverage for those with pre-existing conditions would go away.
Gov. Rick Scott, who supports pre-existing coverage, did not criticize the Trump administration’s action. Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson pounced on the issue and his re-election opponent.
“The Trump administration’s latest sabotage of the health care law would take the guarantee of health care coverage away from tens of millions of Americans, including more than seven million Floridians, with pre-existing conditions,” Nelson said in a statement Monday. “This is nothing but a heartless, political move that will hurt Florida families. I will continue to fight to protect health care for Floridians, as Trump and his allies, like Rick Scott, keep pushing to dismantle the law that improves access to health care for millions of Floridians.”
While not publicly criticizing the president, Scott pointed to an op-ed he wrote last year for USA Today, where he included the need “protecting those with pre-existing conditions” while a year ago in a news release, Scott said “Every American, including those with pre-existing conditions, should have the ability to buy any kind of insurance they want.”
The lawsuit stemmed from the elimination of the requirement every American have some form of health insurance. That requirement, deemed a tax by a majority of the Supreme Court, made the law constitutional.
The individual mandate was repealed as part of the GOP tax cuts passed in December.
Scott ad compares Nelson to Ford Pinto
The newest ad from Scott uses the image of the Ford Pinto from 40 years ago to paint his opponent as a career politician.
In 1978, Nelson was just starting his career in Congress and the Ford Pinto was at the top of its popularity. The ad goes on to say that the Ford Pinto is obviously past its prime and is rusting away in junkyards across America, but Nelson is still in Washington as a member of the Senate.
The Pinto, a compact car made domestically in the 70s, is infamously known for its rear-mounted gas tank which proved to be a fatal flaw. This meant that the car was prone to explosion if rear-ended. Despite this enormous problem, the car was still the best selling compact even in 1978.
“And besides reading speeches, what has Nelson done all those years?” the ad asks. “Isn’t a half century in Washington enough?”
The ad will air statewide at the cost of $2.7 million. Scott, who according to a Saint Leo University poll holds a 6-point lead, has already spent $17 million on negative ads at Nelson’s expense this cycle.
DOJ internal report draws strong reaction
The much-ballyhooed report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General is out and about the only thing Democrats and Republicans agree on is the criticized actions of former FBI Director James Comey. The report found Comey was “insubordinate” when he cleared Hillary Clinton of wrongdoing and wrong when he announced he was reopening the email investigation just days before the election.
The Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, found the overall investigation was not influenced by “political bias,” but had tough words for some involved. A year and one-half in the making, the report took an extra month as the DOJ and FBI had the opportunity for input and responses.
Leading up to the report’s release, it is clear many Republicans and conservative media were expecting more. While some FBI personnel were recommended for sanctions, that was not enough for those wanting something much stronger.
That led to a demand from two Floridians who have been among the most critical of both agencies. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Marineland Republican Ron DeSantis joined with Arizona’s Andy Biggs to seek all drafts of the IG’s report.
“We are concerned that during this time, people may have changed the report in a way that obfuscates your findings,” the lawmakers said in a letter to Horowitz. “Per Congress’s oversight authority, we request you supply your original drafts along with the final published form.”
In a tweet, Gaetz said: “The time has come for complete transparency.”
Pulse anniversary brings gun issue back to forefront
Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the domestic terrorist attack at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub that slaughtered 49 people. The Orlando delegation was joined by others remembering the tragedy as an attack on the LGBTQ community and a prime example illustrating the need for tougher gun laws.
“Our hearts still ache for the 49 lives lost and countless others physically and emotionally injured,” said Democratic Rep. Darren Soto of Orlando. “Our community is inspiring the nation to take a stand against hate. Together, along with Parkland student survivors, we are putting an end to gun violence in America.”
Democratic Rep. Val Demings, the former Orlando Chief of Police, said “We cannot be satisfied with simply remembering the victims of mass shootings. We must work to prevent mass shootings, period.”
Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Winter Park Democrat tweeted “Today should be about remembering all those affected by the tragedy and recommitting ourselves to honoring them with action.”
Nelson mourned “victims of this hateful act of gun violence” and promised to join those “marching and speaking out to help protect our communities from gun violence.” Among Republicans, Scott described the tragedy as “an evil act of terror against our gay community, our Hispanic community, our entire state and our entire nation.”
Deutch bill targets ‘bad actor’ gun dealers
While the Pulse anniversary had many thinking about gun violence, a new bill was filed targeting those who supply firearms to consumers. Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch joined with colleagues to launch the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act, which is designed to crack down on what sponsors call “bad actor” dealers who provide the majority of weapons used in crimes.
The bill provides, among other things, tougher penalties for falsifying gun sales records, sanctions for dealers who violate Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) regulations while providing ATF with discretion in issuing gun licenses.
“Tragedy after tragedy we are told that we don’t need any new gun laws, that we should just enforce the laws on the books,” Deutch said in a statement. “But in too many cases, we’ve seen that the laws on the books are practically unenforceable. The combination of stringent standards and depleted budgets put ATF inspectors in an impossible situation.”
With Republicans in control, prospects for Deutch’s bill are not good. Both co-sponsors are also Democrats.
South Florida Democrats applaud Everglades funding boost
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is set to boost funding for Everglades restoration by an additional $29 billion. That was good news to Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston and Delray Beach Democrat Alcee Hastings.
The funding increase was included in the COE’s recently-released 2018 fiscal year work plan. The added backing amounts to a 38 percent increase over the initial $76.5 million funding amount sought in the President’s fiscal year 2018 budget request, bringing the overall Everglades restoration funding for this fiscal year to $105.4 million.
“Committing these extra resources underscores the Army Corps’ commitment to Everglades restoration,” said Hastings, Co-Chairman of the Everglades Caucus. “South Florida depends on this ecosystem for so much, including drinking water and flood protection, so it’s good to see a larger investment being made to protect the well-being of our state.”
Both lawmakers have a history of advocating significant funding for the long-term restoration project.
“Our federal-state partnership to restore the Florida Everglades can only be maintained with strong federal funding,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Restoring this vital and sensitive ecosystem is bolstered with the Army Corps’ latest increase in funding — one which must continue.”
Curbelo-led DACA rebels accept leadership’s truce offer
For now, the faction of Republicans, led by Kendall Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo, trying to force a vote on multiple bills designed to deal with the undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, has accepted a truce with House leadership. Curbelo and his allies put their insurgency effort on hold late Tuesday after reaching an agreement with leadership and conservatives, though details are still being worked out.
While there will be votes on the issue, the more liberal Dream Act, favored by Democrats, will not be considered. Instead, a conservative measure sponsored by Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte and a yet-to-be-drafted compromise bill will be the only two considered.
The compromise came as Curbelo was two signatures away from having enough to force the showdown.
“Hopefully, every time there’s a compromise, everyone can claim some victories,” said Curbelo, who is in a toss-up re-election fight against Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Lakeland Republican Rep. Dennis Ross, who was reportedly close to signing the discharge petition, stressed the fact that while some would be happy with the result, others would not. He pointed toward the need to come up with something that could pass the Senate and ultimately be signed by Trump.
“We’ve got to go for the good and maybe not the best. I mean that’s this process,” said Ross. “Sometimes it kills us. Sometimes it moves us along and gets us over to the Senate.”
Democrats voiced their displeasure with the terms of the compromise, pointing to the reduction of bills under consideration. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa summed up the mood.
“A handful of Republican House members joined a unanimous Democratic Caucus in an attempt to force a vote, but Republicans could not muster two additional signatures on the ‘discharge petition,’” Castor said in an email to constituents “Any immigration votes that Speaker Ryan brings to the floor will be Tea Party-type bills that are unlikely to protect DREAMers.”
On this date in the headlines
June 15, 2010 — With Americans more negative about the federal government’s response to the Gulf Oil spill than they were at a comparable time following Hurricane Katrina, President Barack Obama speaks to the nation tonight facing four questions that could define his presidency. Obama will seek to answer who is in charge, is the federal government up to the task, who pays, and will the constant BP bashing affect relations with Great Britain?
Obama is facing criticism that his government has yet to assemble the expertise needed to solve the problem. They fear those from the Gulf region affected by the disaster may be left with depending on BP to solve the problem.
June 15, 2013 — The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a sweeping, $638 billion defense bill that would block Obama from closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and limit his efforts to reduce nuclear weapons.
Ignoring a White House veto threat, the Republican-controlled House voted 315-108 for the legislation. Despite last-minute efforts by Obama counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco, the House soundly rejected Obama’s repeated pleas to shutter Guantánamo.
Dems beat GOP again, but Scalise just glad to be there
The Democrats routed the Republicans, 21-5 Thursday night in the annual Congressional Baseball Game. While he wanted his team to win, Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise was happy just to be there.
Just one year ago, he was shot on the practice field and nearly lost his life. Thanks to quick work by his bodyguard and Capitol Police, his life was spared.
“I went through a lot of different emotions and different levels of recovery over the last year,” Scalise, the House Majority Whip, recalled. “But those first few months especially, when you’re fighting for your life and you’re not sure, was I even going to be able to come back to Congress and do my job that I love so much? Was I going to be able to walk again?”
He still walks with a crutch, but briefly entered the game on Thursday. A line drive came his way and Scalise was able to catch it in the air as he went down on one knee.
In recent years, Democrats have dominated the game, largely because of the pitching prowess of Cedric Richmond of Louisiana. The game is competitive, but last year’s shooting showed what was important.
Richmond was one of the first to arrive at the hospital after Scalise was wounded. He said later that “having Cedric there meant a lot.”
