#may seek constitution change to run for full term - CNN | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bountyofbeads · 5 years ago

Text

Trump Admits He Spoke to Ukraine About Biden; Pressure to Impeach Builds https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment-whistle-blower.html

Let’s be clear about terms here. Trump didn’t try to extort “opposition research” on Biden from Ukraine. He tried to extort Ukraine into *ginning up disinformation* about Biden, and cloaking it in the seeming legitimacy of a law enforcement investigation.

We had this same problem of terminology throughout the Russia investigation, too. Trump and his campaign didn’t solicit “opposition research” on Hillary Clinton. They solicited computer crimes and stolen documents. Opposition researchers don’t do that.

As Trump Confirms He Discussed Biden With Ukraine, Pressure to Impeach Builds

Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned of a “new chapter of lawlessness” and a turning point in the House investigation of President Trump.

By Nicholas Fandos, Jonathan Martin and Maggie Haberman | Published Sept. 22, 2019 Updated Sept. 23, 2019, 9:21 a.m. ET | New York Times | Posted September 23, 10:00 AM ET |

WASHINGTON — President Trump acknowledged on Sunday that he raised corruption accusations against former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. during a phone call with Ukraine’s leader, a stunning admission as pressure mounted on Democrats to impeach Mr. Trump over allegations he leaned on a foreign government to help damage a political rival.

In public and in private, many Democrats said the evidence that has emerged in recent days indicating that Mr. Trump pushed the Ukrainian government to investigate Mr. Biden, and his administration’s stonewalling of attempts by Congress to learn more, were changing their calculations about whether to charge him with articles of impeachment.

The influential chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who has resisted such action, said the House might now have “crossed the Rubicon” in light of the new disclosures, and the administration’s withholding of a related whistle-blower complaint. A group of moderate freshman lawmakers who had been opposed to an impeachment inquiry said they were considering changing course, while other Democrats who had reluctantly supported one amplified their calls. Progressives, meanwhile, sharpened their criticisms of the party’s leadership for failing to act.

The fast-moving developments prompted Speaker Nancy Pelosi to level a warning of her own to the White House: Turn over the secret whistle-blower complaint by Thursday, or face a serious escalation from Congress.

In a letter to House Democrats, Ms. Pelosi never mentioned the word “impeachment,” but her message hinted at that possibility.

“If the administration persists in blocking this whistle-blower from disclosing to Congress a serious possible breach of constitutional duties by the president, they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of investigation,” Ms. Pelosi, Democrat of California, wrote in the letter.

The allegations center on whether Mr. Trump pressured Ukraine’s newly elected leader, implicitly or explicitly, to take action to hurt Mr. Biden’s election bid at a vulnerable moment for the former Soviet republic, possibly using United States military aid as leverage. Ukraine has been fighting Russian-backed separatists, and the Trump administration had temporarily been withholding a $250 million package of military funding. There have been no indications to this point, however, that Mr. Trump mentioned the aid money on the call.

Mr. Trump showed no sign of contrition on Sunday, telling aides that Democrats were overplaying their hand on a matter voters would dismiss. Publicly, he worked to focus attention not on his own actions but on Mr. Biden’s.

Speaking to reporters, the president defended his July phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine as entirely appropriate, and stopped short of directly confirming news reports about what was discussed. But he acknowledged that he had discussed Mr. Biden during the call and accused the former vice president of corruption tied to his son Hunter’s business activities in the former Soviet republic.

“The conversation I had was largely congratulatory, with largely corruption, all of the corruption taking place and largely the fact that we don’t want our people like Vice President Biden and his son creating to the corruption already in the Ukraine,” Mr. Trump told reporters before leaving for a trip to Texas and Ohio.

It is still far from clear that the latest scandal surrounding Mr. Trump’s conduct will lead Ms. Pelosi or other top Democrats to bless full impeachment proceedings and a vote. The House Judiciary Committee is already investigating whether to recommend articles of impeachment against Mr. Trump over other matters, but Ms. Pelosi has consistently questioned the strength of the case.

Proponents of impeachment have repeatedly pointed to damaging revelations — including several instances of possible obstruction of justice by Mr. Trump detailed by the special counsel investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 election — that they believe warrant seeking Mr. Trump’s removal. But they have run into resistance or indifference from their colleagues and the general public, in part because any impeachment proceeding could end in an acquittal by the Republican-controlled Senate.

On Sunday, the pattern appeared to be holding, with the vast majority of Republican lawmakers refraining from comment about the latest allegations against Mr. Trump. A few prominent lawmakers suggested, however, that the White House should disclose the contents of the phone call with Mr. Zelensky.

“I’m hoping the president can share, in an appropriate way, information to deal with the drama around the phone call,” said Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. “I think it would be good for the country if we could deal with it.”

Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, was more critical, deeming it “critical for the facts to come out” and saying, “If the president asked or pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate his political rival, either directly or through his personal attorney, it would be troubling in the extreme.”

At the same time, interviews with more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers this weekend made clear that they believed the latest allegations had the potential to be singularly incriminating, with the potential to advance the impeachment drive just as it appeared to be losing steam. Not only do the allegations suggest that Mr. Trump was using the power of his office to extract political gains from a foreign power, they argued, but his administration is actively trying once again to prevent Congress from finding out what happened.

“I don’t want to do any more to contribute to the divisiveness in the country, but my biggest responsibility as an elected official is to protect our national security and Constitution,” said Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan, adding that it is “becoming more and more difficult” for Democrats to avoid an all-out impeachment inquiry.

Several first-term lawmakers who had opposed impeachment conferred privately over the weekend to discuss announcing support for an inquiry, potentially jointly, after a hearing scheduled for Thursday with the acting national intelligence director, according to Democratic officials familiar with the conversations. A handful of them declined to speak on the record over the weekend, with some still reluctant to go public and others looking for cues from Ms. Pelosi and their freshman colleagues.

Representative Tom Malinowski, a New Jersey freshman who has supported an inquiry, said the fresh revelations made it clear that Congress must move more decisively.

“There are lines being crossed right now that I fear will be erased if the House does not take strong action to assert them, to defend them,” he said in an interview. “If all we do is leave it up to the American people to get rid of him, we have not upheld the rule of law, we have not set a precedent that this behavior is utterly out of bounds.”

The Intelligence Committee chairman, Representative Adam B. Schiff of California, said Sunday morning that the accumulating evidence of wrongdoing, and of a presidential cover-up unfolding in real time, left the House with few other options. Mr. Schiff spoke with Ms. Pelosi before making his remarks to coordinate their statements, two people familiar with their conversation said, a sign that the speaker may be more comfortable moving toward a direct discussion of impeachment.

“I have been very reluctant to go down the path of impeachment,” Mr. Schiff said on CNN. “But if the president is essentially withholding military aid at the same time he is trying to browbeat a foreign leader into doing something illicit, providing dirt on his opponent during a presidential campaign, then that may be the only remedy that is coequal to the evil that that conduct represents.”

Mr. Schiff first brought the existence of the whistle-blower complaint to light a little more than a week ago, and has been the party’s lead negotiator with the acting director of national intelligence, who has refused to turn it over to Congress.

Progressives in Congress have watched the stonewalling with seething frustration, and in recent days, they have begun to openly second-guess Ms. Pelosi’s go-slow approach.

“At this point, the bigger national scandal isn’t the president’s lawbreaking behavior — it is the Democratic Party’s refusal to impeach him for it,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, who commands considerable influence among progressives, wrote on Twitter late Saturday night.

Representative Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington and the co-chairwoman of the Progressive Caucus, said in an interview that she was now ready to vote outright to impeach Mr. Trump, rather than simply continuing the investigation, and that she planned to make her case in public.

“There is no congressional authority anymore that we are being allowed to exercise, except the one that we have not exercised yet,” Ms. Jayapal said.

But the more crucial issue is whether Democrats from the districts Mr. Trump won or nearly lost can stomach a push to expel him.

Representative Dina Titus of Nevada said once a transcript is made public of Mr. Trump pressuring Mr. Zelensky, she doubted that even Democrats from competitive seats could continue to resist impeachment.

“Once that comes out,” said Ms. Titus, an impeachment proponent, “I don’t see how they can fight it any longer.”

Strikingly, some traditionally cautious veteran Democrats said the party might have no choice but to move toward impeachment. They believe that Senate Republicans, who are clinging to their majority of 53 seats, would pay a political price for protecting Mr. Trump if they voted to exonerate him in the face of damning evidence of malfeasance and a House vote to impeach.

“They’ve got to take a second look” at impeachment, Terry McAuliffe, the former Virginia governor and national party chairman, who is an ally of Ms. Pelosi, said of fellow Democrats. He predicted that the latest revelations would “push some of our folks over.”

James Carville, the longtime Democratic strategist, said he had opposed impeachment, but now thinks the House should move “quick and clean” after obtaining a transcript of Mr. Trump’s phone call. “Let the Senate Republicans stew,” he said.

A cross-section of comments from readers across America on the latest scandal involving the Trump and his administration and impeachment:

"I'm seeing a lot of comments on here pointing blame at House Democrats for their handling of this. But Democrats aren't the problem here, and lashing out at them only plays right into trump's hands, creating the very divisiveness that helped him in 2016. We must not lose sight of where the true corruption lies. I agree that impeachment is more than warranted at this point. But with Barr's justice department now acting like Trump's personal lawyer, and trump's Republican lackeys trying to protect and enable trump at all costs to the country, Democrats are stuck between a rock and a hard place. House and Senate Democrats are the only ones trying to minimize and limit the damage that Trump's corruption is causing to our country. They're the only ones trying to keep a check on this out-of-control administration. But they face an uphill battle and need leverage. That's up to us. It's up to us to march, to make calls, to write letters, to protest, to boycott, to volunteer, to donate, etc. It'll be up to us to vote blue in 2020 (no matter who), up and down the ticket, in numbers too large to manipulate. If there was ever a time to unite and "walk the walk", this is it."

ROBERTA, KANSAS CITY

"It is time, Speaker Pelosi. We have been patient through the Mueller investigation and final report; we have been patient through Trump’s egregious actions, behavior, lies, bigotry, cruelty, human rights’ violations against desperate refugees, polluting our environment, denying us affordable and accessible health care, ad infinitum. You have your smoking gun, Ms. Pelosi and Chairmen Schiff and Nadler. How much longer are you going to sacrifice our democracy, our Constitution, justice, law, order, peace, and security for political expediency?"

KATHY LOLLOCK, SANTA ROSA CA

"I sided with Pelosi when she advised a thoughtful, patient approach the last time The Squad was clamoring for an impeachment inquiry, realizing that without any Republican support, impeachment would die in the Senate and fire up Trump’s base ahead of the 2020 elections. But enough is enough. Trump openly admits he obstructs justice and conspires with foreign powers, and he does it with sneering impunity. Sure, the GOP would block any of Pelosi’s attempts to hold Trump accountable, but we need to see SOME evidence that our leaders believe in their duty to enforce the rule of law and check the president’s clear abuses of power. The world is watching. Let’s try to save face just a little and show everyone that, although we who stand for the rule of law and the principles that this country were founded upon are down, we are NOT out. Even after winning back the Oval in 2020, it will take some time to restore the dignity the office presidency long held; but, we can start by sending a message that most of us do NOT accept this pretender in chief or his gang of cowardly enablers. It’s time for Pelosi et al to RESIST like the future of our nation depends on it!" FED UP, PA

“The administration is endangering our national security and having a chilling effect on any future whistle-blower who sees wrongdoing,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter on Sunday. And apparently by their overwhelming silence, members of the GOP are just fine with "endangering our national security and having a chilling effect on any future whistle-blower who sees wrongdoing." Although Trump is their leader, these folks continue to support him by remaining mute. They are equally guilty and complicit in the actions he is allowed to do without consequences. There's so much blame to go around, it's mind boggling."

MARGE KELLER, MIDWEST

" What brought Nixon down was the grievous, unpardonable sin of using the instruments of state—legal and extra-legal—against the other party. Trump probably colluded with Russia to get elected. But he wasn’t yet President, wasn’t yet cloaked in the flag, and hadn’t been able to use the full weight of the nation state to carry out shenanigans and blackmail. This could be a game changer." Michael ROBIN'S, SOUTH DAKOTA

"The Rubicon has indeed been crossed. Speaker Pelosi in her letter’s ultimatum to Trump demands without equivocation that he turn over the whistleblower complaint to Congress instanter or face the immediate prospect of impeachment. She is right to do so. The time has come that it is no longer relevant to the integrity of our form of government whether Trump’s abettors in the Senate choose to share in his ignominy. An analogous question to pose might be whether the FBI and the Justice Department should have declined in the 60’s to go after racial terrorism in anticipation of what kind of verdicts white southern juries might return. There are some things so odious that whatever the immediate outcome may be does not relieve one’s duty to show who we are and what we stand for (and for what we will not). Trump and Barr’s unlawful concealment of the whistleblower complaint from full disclosure to Congress indicates consciousness of guilt." XANADU, FLORIDA

"Please impeach this odious criminal. Netanyahu is out. Boris Johnson is in serious trouble. Trump is on the ropes. Note to Congress: Do your Constitutional duty and began steps toward impeachment. There is no time like the present." SCOTTOPOTTUMAS

"Whether on not the public is paying attention has no bearing on impeachment. The president broke the law, repeatedly. Full stop. We are either a country of laws or a country of lies. It’s way past time for the Democrats to get up and stand for something. They look like a pack of spineless cowards."

SHAWN STEPPER, CA

"When the House of Representatives finally moves to initiate impeachment proceedings, there will be no guarantee of success. However, there will be evidence that surfaces on a daily basis that will both surprise and shock and may move the registration points of citizenry and senators alike. This will escalate what is an already erratic news cycle into one of unseen and perhaps unintended consequences. Not to impeach because you don't have the votes in the Senate is like not getting up in the morning because you are not absolutely certain what will happen that day. Let the adventure begin. Our democracy may well depend on it."

BURHAM HOLMES, VT

"I am afraid that Nancy Pelosi has become very much like Trump in two important respects. One, is that she has repeatedly shown that she is more concerned about the 2020 election and maintaining power than fulfilling her constitutional duty to remove Trump from office for many high crimes and misdemeanors. Secondly, she has threatened (huffed and puffed) far more times than she has acted-well, she hasn't yet-period. I realize that it is an uphill fight to get the Senate to convict. I will, however, point out that, although a different time and era, many thought the same thing applied with Richard Nixon. It is amazing how public pressure can build, as it is now, when the facts and details about wrong-doing in the Oval Office begin to emerge. Republicans are already running scared about 2020. Witness the increasing number of those choosing not to seek re-election. Putting themselves in the position of voting to keep Trump in office in the light of his many transgressions, including the latest, which one could confidently argue amounts to treason (putting personal interests above his oath of office), may be a "bridge too far" for some Republican Senators." SAVKS, ATLANTA

Every time DJT does something incredibly foolish and stupid, I tell myself, "Well, I guess we've hit rock-bottom". And, then he does something even more foolish and stupid. Wake up America! We elected a buffoon. And, it's time to end this colossal mistake. PHILO, ALBANY NY

Perhaps they are waiting to see if he actually does shoot someone on 5th Ave. before they decide to impeach. DR. TLS, AUSTIN TX

It’s important that we define the real problem here. Whether or not Trump promised an explicit quid pro quo regarding financial aid to Ukraine is not the point and may not be provable. We don’t need to prove a criminal act such as bribery. What we have here is proof that Trump is using the position and powers of the presidency to pressure a foreign government to intervene in our electoral process by investigating an opposing candidate. This is clear abuse of the office and the public trust. Speaker Pelosi, enforce the subpoenas with the inherent power of the Congress, force the facts to come out and then, impeach. It’s time." MICHELE, SEATTLE WA

"I think Trump genuinely doesn't understand the gravity of what this phone call evidence means. He is still trying to convince us that any president would do what he did, that it's perfectly acceptable to tell a foreign government to investigate a political opponent in return for payment of foreign aid to that country. Trump is so mired in corruption that I really don't think he understands what the big deal is. And, unfortunately many of his followers don't either. Many Americans still believe that "all politicians do this stuff," and don't want to accept how far off from even the normal quid pro quo in politics this is. Trump's corruption has so skewed what we view as acceptable behavior by presidents that many Americans are not in the least concerned. Trump doesn't seem to sense how far he's gone, and neither do his fans." MS. PEA, SEATTLE

"I think the existence of a tape changed some people's minds. The Zelensky transcript will undoubtedly become public in an impeachment inquiry. You'll have evidence straight from the horse's mouth. If Senate Republicans decline to convict, Democrats can hold it against them in 2020. The optics aren't going to look good for Republicans. Add to this the Inspector General's determination of urgent and serious misconduct. Michael Atkinson was a Trump appointee confirmed by a Republican Senate. Mitch McConnell's discomfiture will increase accordingly. That's before considering the legal process concerning an urgent complaint. You might not get to 60 votes but this matter is clear in a way that Mueller's obstruction claim was not. If the Zelensky transcript really is innocuous, the White House will fold by Thursday. If Trump digs-in, it doesn't matter what the whistleblower complaint ultimately reveals, Democrats will be absolved for beginning impeachment proceedings. Withholding the complaint is obstruction, plain and simple. Win-win. “Let the Senate Republicans stew.”" ANDY, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

If Trump is allowed to continue on like this, there won’t be any point in an election in 2020. He’s subverting democracy right before our eyes. We don’t need the senate to vote to convict. We need the evidence to come out so we know what it is. And congress has the power to get the evidence. They MUST do so. WORTHINGTON, HOUSTON

"How pathetic that Republicans continue to sit around and twiddle their thumbs while trump rips up our democracy and laughs in our faces about it. If Republicans can't work up the backbone to speak up for the U.S. and the Rule of Law, then democracy is already lost." DEJIKINS, ROCHESTER

" As someone who has been skeptical but mildly supportive of impeachment, for the sake of holding the administration accountable to the rule of law, this for me is a turning point. Even the mildest of observers will have no doubt trump is capable of doing what he is being accused of, but to have evidence of a phone call is extraordinary. If/when that comes to light he will say that the Democrats altered his voice and that it’s a fake tape. And 35% of Americans will actually believe him. This is not the same news cycle as when Nixon was impeached and having dualing realities between Fox News and everyone else is going to make this much harder. Darker times still ahead..." DANIEL, STOWE VT

"The media and the Democrats are being played. We’ve known for some time that Gulliani went to the Ukraine to employ them for dirt on Biden. Trump knows he can get away with this behavior, and why not? He’s publicly done it before and no one in this craven congress has held him accountable. He requested Russia’s aid for dirt in on Hillary on live television during a national debate! So I don’t buy this “whistleblower” story one bit. I think his team has leaked this story exactly when they meant to, in a way that would dominate the news as loudly and for as long as they could: by packaging it as a scandal. And the NYT, the Democrats, and everyone else are eating it up by are playing right into their hands. None of this will stick and they know it, but they get to revel in the story while the Democrats wring their hands and complain about how unprecedented it all is. Once again, the Dems are playing politics but the GOP is at war." MIKE F, WESTCHESTER

1 note · View note

patriotsnet · 3 years ago

Text

Are There Any Republicans Challenging Trump

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/are-there-any-republicans-challenging-trump/

Are There Any Republicans Challenging Trump

The 2024 Republican Presidential Candidate Wild Cards

Is There Any Republican That Would Actually Run Against Trump?

The first Democratic debate back in 2019 had 20 TWENTY! candidates, so dont be surprised if the Republican field is just as large or larger. We could have some more governors or representatives run, or even other nontraditional candidates, like a Trump family member, a Fox News host or a celebrity, like Dwayne The Rock Johnson, whos said hes seriously considering a run. Stranger things have happened.

Why Challenging Trump Is So Hard For Republicans

Cross President Donald Trump? It could mean the end of your career.

A year and a half into Trumps presidency, Republicans are learning now more than ever that the GOP is Trumps party and thats leading to some tough choices.

From trade policy to primary endorsements, the Presidents positions even if they challenge long-established Republican orthodoxy are redefining what it means to be a part of the GOP.

After a stunning loss Tuesday night, South Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Sanford became the latest casualty in the fight for the GOPs future. A member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Sanford exemplified the conservative, less-government philosophy that was once the cornerstone of the party. But, in the eyes of voters, Sanfords free-wielding jabs at Trump, his candid comments about the Presidents leadership style, overshadowed any allegiance he had to conservative principles.

Mark Sanford is a true conservative. Hes one of these guys that when he talks about what I believe our ideology is, he believes it. And he can speak to it intelligently, said retiring Rep. Tom Rooney, a Republican from Florida. The fact that somebody whos a true conservative cant win a primary in South Carolina, a member of the Freedom Caucus, just goes to show whats more important. Whats more important obviously is loyalty to Trump.

Georgia And Arizona Senators Show Progressive

Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and a Wrightsville, Ga., native, has long lived in Texas after a professional football career that ended in Dallas, but he changed his voter registration last week to an Atlanta house owned by his wife, Julie Blanchard. Blanchard is under investigation by the Georgia secretary of states office over potential illegal voting after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported she voted in Georgia despite living in Texas.

Walker has also repeated false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election despite elections officials finding no evidence of widespread fraud that affected the outcome.

Its unclear when Walker will make a formal Senate announcement. The campaign paperwork filed Tuesday ends months of speculation about his political plans, including a prediction in June from Trump that the former football star would soon suit up for the Republican primary.

He told me hes going to, and I think he will, Trump said on the conservative talk radio Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Hes a great guy. Hes a patriot. And hes a very loyal person, hes a very strong person. They love him in Georgia, Ill tell you.

Some national Republicans have been wary of Walkers candidacy, though. The first-time candidate comes with potential baggage that could harm his chances in both the primary and general elections, including his Texas residency.

Recommended Reading: Republicans Cut Embassy Security Funding

Trump Challengers: 10 Republicans Who Could Run For President In 2020

Ryan Sit U.S.Donald TrumpMike PenceBen SasseBob Corker

President Donald Trump faced down a crowded field of GOP presidential hopefuls in 2016 as a political outsider, but he could see a packed stage of Republican challengers again in 2020only as an incumbent this time.

Trump made few political friends during his ascent to the White House. He made headlines making fun of his competition, doling out nicknameslow energy Jeb Bush,Little Marco Rubio,Lyin Ted Cruzalong the way. The presidents diplomatic dexterity hasnt noticeably improved much since taking office. Senators Rubio and Cruz have improved their relationship with Trump since his inauguration, but other lawmakers from within his party have emerged as outspoken critics, fueling speculation he may face a stiff presidential primary race in 2020.

Here are 10 Republicans who may challenge Trump:

Ohio Governor John Kasich

Kasich, like Fiorina, also may want another shot at the job. He was one of the candidates Trump felled in the 2016 primary. Despite that, he has remained dedicated to his vision for the GOP.

“I have a right to define what it means to be a conservative and what it means to be a Republican,” he told New York magazine in October. “I think my definition is a lot better than what the other people are doing.”

Voters didn’t take to his philosophy in 2016; Kasich managed to win only his home state. But unlike other Republicans who have spoken out against Trump and seen their polling numbers subsequently drop, Kasich’s constituency has remained supportive, the Washington Post noted.

Kasich also appears to have shifted his position on another presidential run. Asked on CNN’s State of the Union in March whether he would look to primary Trump, he repeatedly answered “no.” A month later Kasich shifted, saying it was “very unlikely” he would seek higher office again.

Then in May, just a couple weeks later, he told Bill Maher he doesn’t know what his plans are.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said, talking about a 2020 run. “I’m going to keep a voice, but I can’t predict to youI never thought I would be governor, I never thought I’d go back into politics.”

Recommended Reading: Republican Shutdown

Sen Marco Rubio Of Florida

Like Cruz, Rubio would enter the 2024 presidential race with heightened name ID and experience from his 2016 run. One of Rubios biggest challenges, though, could be his fellow Floridians. If DeSantis and fellow Sen. Rick Scott run, there could be just one ticket out of Florida, a Republican strategist said.

Rubio, 49, is married to Jeanette Dousdebes and they have four children. He graduated from the University of Florida and University of Miami School of Law and was speaker of the Florida House of Representatives before running for U.S. Senate in 2010.

Former Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo

If the 2024 election turns into a foreign policy debate, the 57-year-old Pompeo is in a strong position with his background as former secretary of state and CIA director.

During Pompeos recent speech at the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale, Iowa, he gave a preview of some of the lines that might end up in his presidential stump speech. He said hes spent more time with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un than any other American, including basketball star Dennis Rodman, and talked about the threat he sees from China. His mention of the U.S. moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem during his tenure was met with applause.

Before serving in Trumps Cabinet, Pompeo blasted then-candidate Trump as an authoritarian. Pompeo made the remarks the day of the Kansas caucus in 2016, quoting Trump saying that if he told a soldier to commit a war crime, they would go and do it. Pompeo said the U.S. had spent 7½ years with an authoritarian president who ignored the Constitution, referencing former President Barack Obama, and we dont need four more years of that.

Pompeo served three full terms representing Kansas in the U.S. House before joining the Trump administration. He and his wife, Susan, have one child. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and Harvard Law and served in the U.S. Army.

Recommended Reading: Who Are The Three Republicans Running Against Trump

Potential 2024 Republican Presidential Candidates

Though were still more than 1,300 days away from the 2024 presidential election, potential candidates are already making stops in early caucus and primary states and working behind the scenes to prepare for a possible run.

Late last month, C-SPAN kicked off its Road to the White House coverage with a speech by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Iowa, and former Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to give the keynote at a dinner for a social conservative group in South Carolina on April 29.

Number Of Recounts: 3

US election: Judge dismisses Trump Pennsylvania lawsuit as âwithout meritâ?

Georgia held two recounts of its presidential election results, both reaffirming Biden’s win in the state. Wisconsin had one recount that;confirmed Biden’s victory there.

The first recount in Georgia; a hand recount ordered by the state; found Biden won by;12,284 votes, a narrower margin than the 14,196-vote lead he held immediately following the election. Local election administrators identified uncounted ballots in four counties. Each was the result of human error.

The second recount in Georgia; one requested by the Trump campaign; narrowed Biden’s victory to 11,779 votes;

Recommended Reading: Who Said We Are All Republicans We Are All Federalists

Former Vice President Mike Pence

Historically, experience as Veep isnt a bad launching pad for the presidency. Six former vice presidents went on to become president, including, of course, President Joe Biden, and an additional five won their partys nomination. For 61-year-old Pence, though, the upside of his time as vice president is more of an open question.

Trumps 2020 pollster Tony Fabrizio found that if the former president doesnt run in the 2024 election, his supporters gravitate most to Pence, DeSantis and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, so there is plenty of support there. But on Jan. 6, when Pence announced Biden as the winner of the 2020 election, he complicated things.

Hes got this tricky position, said Steven Webster, and assistant professor of political science at Indiana University Bloomington. I think increasingly the base of the Republican Party is aligned with Donald Trump, and Mike Pence is really seen with hostility by Trumps base, simply for performing his constitutional duty on the 6th.

Pence appears to be well aware of the predicament. Earlier this month, he published an op-ed voicing his concern over supposed voting irregularities in the 2020 election, though he didnt mention any specifically. Trumps own administration said the election was the most secure in American history.

Pence and his wife, Karen, have three children. Pence is a former conservative radio host who served seven terms in the U.S. House before becoming governor of Indiana.

Shes No 2: Report Claims Kamala Harris Staff Feels They Are Treated Like St

The Democratic officials who spoke to Axios said that in addition to Harrishandling of high-profile issues and political tone deafness, they fear shes been given bad advice by her press and communications people.

Harris still has her defenders, including senior adviser and chief spokesperson Symone Sanders, as well as White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond, who accused unnamed people of carrying out a whisper campaign designed to sabotage her.

At some point it just becomes, one person says something long enough and it becomes an urban legend. It doesnt have to be credible. It doesnt have to be real. Someone says something and it can just snowball, Richmond told Axios, later adding: Youd just hope if theres a legitimate criticism theyd put their name next to it.

Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain offered unreserved praise for Harris, telling Axios she was off to the fastest and strongest start of any Vice President I have seen.

At a news conference Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called Harris an incredibly important partner to the President of the United States. She has a challenging job, a hard job, and she has a great, supportive team of people around her.

But other than that, Psaki added, Im not going to have any more comments on those reports.

Also Check: How Many Republicans Are In The House Of Representatives 2012

Republicans Not Named Trump Who Could Run In 2024

A growing number of Republicans are already jockeying ahead of 2024 as they await former President TrumpDonald TrumpCapitol Police officer who shot Ashli Babbitt says he saved lives on Jan. 6Biden presses Fox’s Doocey about Trump-Taliban dealBiden says deadly attack won’t alter US evacuation mission in AfghanistanMOREs decision on another possible White House run.

While Trump has not confirmed whether he will launch a third presidential bid, he has repeatedly teased the idea since losing the election in 2020.

I’m absolutely enthused. I look forward to doing an announcement at the right time, Trump said earlier this month. As you know, it’s very early. But I think people are going to be very, very happy when I make a certain announcement.

But that hasnt stopped speculation from building around other high-profile Republicans seen as potential heirs apparent to the former president.

Here are nine Republicans not named Trump who could run for president in 2024.

Ron DeSantisBiden’s stumble on Afghanistan shouldn’t overshadow what he’s accomplished so farMaskless dad assaulted student who confronted him, police sayTampa Bay residents asked to conserve water to conserve COVID-19 oxygen supplyMORE

DeSantis came in second place behind Trump in the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll in Orlando earlier this year.

DeSantis, who is running for reelection in 2022, also offered a preview of whats to come in his political future.

Rick Scott

How Biden Won: Ramping Up The Base And Expanding Margins In The Suburbs

It brings the number of states Biden flipped from Trumps 2016 column to five, including Arizona, which last voted Democratic in a presidential race when it backed Clinton in 1996.

Biden also flipped Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, three key northern industrial states that ultimately delivered the White House to Trump four years ago. Biden also won a single electoral vote in Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District, which last voted Democratic for former President Barack Obama in 2008.

Electors from each state and the District of Columbia are expected to vote on Dec. 14. The new Congress will then count the votes and certify Bidens victory on Jan. 6, two weeks before the inauguration.

But Georgias political activity is far from over. The state will hold two runoff elections on Jan. 5 for both its U.S. Senate seats, which are currently held by Republicans.

Recommended Reading: How Many Senate Seats Republicans Picked Up

None Of Them Can Win But They Could Play Spoiler

Remember when half of American white males over the age of 40 declared themselves for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016? There were so many candidates that they couldn’t fit them all on two packed debate stages. One guy stayed in after receiving a grand total of 12 votes in the Iowa caucuses; in New Hampshire, Jim Gilmore’s showing improved to 133, an unprecedented 1,000 percent increase. Reader: He didn’t withdraw for another six days.

Since Donald Trump is our incumbent president, and will thus almost surely be the GOP nominee in 2020, we should be spared a repeat, and really ought to be able to give our undivided attention to the approximately 437 mostly Social Security-eligible senators, governors, congressmen, mayors, and billionaire activists looking to run on the Democratic ticket in 2020. Unfortunately, Trump will almost certainly be challenged, either in the ostensibly meaningless Republican primaries or by one or more independent right-of-center candidates.

Stephen Bannon thinks 2020 will be a proper three-way race. #NeverTrumpers are already ferreting around for someone to challenge the president for the GOP nomination. “I just finished reading a book about the French resistance. It reminds me of that. People are meeting over their garages their ateliers trying to figure out who’s going to do it,” one of them toldNew York recently.

Here are five people who might just fit the bill.

1. John Kasich

Chance of running: 80 percent

2. Jeff Flake

General Election Candidates On Five Or More Ballots

In addition to Biden, Hawkins, Jorgensen, and Trump, the following candidates have qualified to appear on five or more ballots:

Roque De La Fuente ; Gloria La Riva ; Jade Simmons ; Jesse Ventura/Cynthia McKinney ; Sheila Tittle ; Kyle Kenley Kopitke ; Ricki Sue King/Dayna Chandler ;

Incumbents are bolded and underlined The results have been certified.

Total votes: 158,379,904

0 states have not been called.

You May Like: How Many Republicans Are Registered To Vote

Former President Donald Trump

Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he made up his mind about whether hell run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination again, but he didnt say what the answer is, keeping the 2024 field open, for now.

The former president held his first post-White House rally in Ohio on June 26 the first since his inflammatory Jan. 6 Save America rally that preceded the failed insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Trump called it the first rally of the 2022 election, but no cable news network carried it live, not even Fox News.

The rally came in the middle of a busy few days in June for Trump. Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani had his law license suspended in the state of New York over his false and misleading claims about the 2020 election, and a week ago, The Trump Organization and its Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg were indicted on tax fraud charges and accused as part of a two-year investigation that began when Trump was still in office. Weisselberg and lawyers for the Trump Organization both pleaded not guilty.

The former president has reportedly told others that he wont have to wait until 2024 to return to the White House. The New York Times and other news outlets have reported that Trump expects to be reinstated as president by August.

Donât Miss: Who Was The Leader Of The Radical Republicans

0 notes