Fearing an election loss, Trump allies push him to be less polarizing

[webfact]

Fearing an election loss, Trump allies push him to be less polarizing

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a meeting of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 26, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some of President Donald Trump's Republican allies are urging him to ditch his divisive messaging and outline a clear vision for a second term, fearing his handling of a series of crises has dimmed his re-election hopes.

 

With four months to go before he faces Democrat Joe Biden in a Nov. 3 U.S. election, Trump's opinion poll numbers have sunk as he struggles to manage the coronavirus pandemic, economic woes and protests over racial injustice.

 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, allies said Trump was often his own worst enemy. They pointed to him retweeting a video on Sunday that included a supporter shouting, "white power," a slogan among white supremacists, and then deleting it.

 

"He has to go back and become an acceptable president and then take the wood to Biden," said a Republican ally close to the White House.

 

"People are even actually saying, 'Does he want this anymore?'" the ally said of fellow Republican supporters. "'Is he looking for an exit strategy?'"

 

Trump's falling poll numbers worry some fellow Republicans they will lose control of the U.S. Senate, having already lost leadership of the House of Representatives in 2018.

 

The source said perhaps as soon as August, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may have to advise Republican Senate candidates to distance themselves from Trump if needed to win election and keep their majority.

 

McConnell's office did not respond to a request for comment.

 

Asked about the concerns, White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president "has shown time and again that he’s not afraid to take on the big challenges facing this country" and that Trump and his team are "engaged in an ongoing policy process for a bold second-term agenda."

 

Another Republican close to the White House said Trump last week acknowledged privately that he was behind in his race against Biden after a raft of polls showed him losing nationally and in battleground states that will decide the election.

 

"He knows he's in trouble," the Republican source said. "He has no message."

 

Hoping to end his slump, Trump is considering making staff changes and ways to broaden his message to draw support beyond his conservative base. Aides say he wants to focus on his ability to lead the country's economic comeback, his one bright spot in polls.

 

The view inside the White House, however, is that it will be hard for Trump to gain ground until there is more scrutiny of Biden, who has mostly stayed off the campaign trail due to stay-at-home orders during the virus outbreak.

 

"Until the media starts calling out Joe Biden for just hanging out in his basement, I don’t know how we end this cycle we’re in because we're the only ones out there taking shots," said a Republican official familiar with the internal dynamics at the White House.

 

Biden has said he would prefer in-person campaigning but that relying on virtual events has allowed him to reach more people directly than he would have otherwise.

 

A DIVISIVE MESSAGE

During a presidency rife with controversy, Trump often has mastered changing the subject - but less so with the spotlight on a months-long pandemic that has killed more than 127,000 Americans and put millions of Americans out of work.

 

He has further divided the country with a "law-and-order" message that critics say fails to address the twin issues of police brutality and racial inequality at the heart of nationwide street protests.

 

At campaign events on Tuesday, Biden said the president was pitting Americans against one another instead of leading.

 

"They're looking at this appeal to hate and how it's divided the country. And they're tired of it," Biden said of the public's changing mood.

 

Some supporters were disappointed last week when Trump did not directly respond when asked by Fox News Channel anchor Sean Hannity, a close friend, to share plans for his second term.

 

Trump has outlined his plans in broad strokes that include rebuilding the economy and taking on China, but he has yet to specify what he would do with another four years.

 

"He needs to articulate why he wants a second term," said the Republican official familiar with internal White House dynamics.

 

In a memo on Sunday, deputy campaign manager Bill Stepien battled the poor poll numbers by arguing that Trump leads Biden in voter enthusiasm and remains strong in key states according to internal campaign data.

 

"We know the media loves to play the game of using their public polling to create an unfavorable scenario and to attempt to discourage President Trump’s supporters," Stepien said. "As we can see from the obvious level of enthusiasm among Republicans, especially as compared to Joe Biden’s situation, it is not working."

 

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted this week online, gave Biden an advantage of 8 percentage points over Trump in support among registered voters. Biden had a 10-point edge in a similar poll last week.

 

With his signature, large-scale rallies sidelined by fears of COVID-19 infections, Trump has been considering doing media interviews beyond conservative Fox News, his usual venue, one ally said.

 

There have been some discussions of increasing the role of senior adviser Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, who is already heavily involved in the campaign, two officials said.

 

On Wednesday, a source confirmed that Michael Glassner, who organized Trump's rallies, had been "reassigned" as a legal adviser for the campaign following the disappointing rally last month in Tulsa.

 

Trump's 2016 Arizona chairman, Jeff DeWit, will join the campaign as chief operating officer to oversee the final stretch to Election Day, the source said.

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-02

 

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[stevenl]

His message is clear: bigger wall, less health care, more money for myself, my family and friends, further ensuing an America alone policy.

Edited July 2, 2020 by stevenl

[thaibeachlovers]

If he gives in to the losers he deserves to lose.

Go Donald, go. 4 more years.

[Tug]

He can’t help it he has absolutely no idea how to govern let alone within the framework of the constitution he doesent have the talent the worm has turned he’s toast

[Thailand]

17 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If he gives in to the losers he deserves to lose.

Go Donald, go. 4 more years.

Go Donald go - please.

[Rookiescot]

Biden does not have to win this election.

He just needs Trump to lose it.

[Silurian]

The current Electoral Map based on polling looks absolutely horrible for Donald. Joe Biden hasn't even really started campaigning yet. Donald is self imploding and defeating himself! 

 

2020 Electoral Map Based on Polls

 

Edited July 2, 2020 by Silurian

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Some of President Donald Trump's Republican allies are urging him to ditch his divisive messaging

In response, Trump today calls Black Lives Matter a "symbol of hate". He is recalcitrant and there is no hope for him to change. It is a lost cause for his re-election. GOP should get another candidate quickly to re-place him. 

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, Silurian said:

The current Electoral Map based on polling looks absolutely horrible for Donald. Joe Biden hasn't even really started campaigning yet. Donald is self imploding and defeating himself! 

 

2020 Electoral Map Based on Polls

 

All you guys cheering every time Trump has a real or imagined setback need to print "a week is a long time in politics" and pin it to the ceiling above your bed.

I made the mistake of thinking Trump was done after the pussy tapes came out, but happily HRC was the opponent so he still won. Just replace HRC with Biden and it's the same thing.

[DoctorG]

I might have been a bit worried if he actually had a real opponent.

[mtls2005]

27 minutes ago, Tug said:

He can’t help it

 

Therein lies the problem.

 

Given his deteriorating mental and physical conditions, and his personality "quirks", he is unable to control himself. While the adult diaper works "down there", he needs one for "up there".

 

I still don't get why Ivanka is letting him go down this path? Don Jr. and Eric could care less of course.

 

Just bow out already...James Carville offers a "roadmap"...

 

Trump’s Farewell Address

 

It is August 21, 2020, three days before President Donald Trump is scheduled to accept his nomination at the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, before a closely packed crowd of delegates that will within weeks test 90 percent coronavirus-positive.

 

He is ignoring his latest Presidential Daily Brief on Russian-paid attacks on U.S. soldiers and remaining focused on his future as the host of a talk show on Trump TV.

 

https://thebulwark.com/trumps-farewell-address/

[keith101]

His reply was , what are you talking about i dont go to the north or south poles .

[Odysseus123]

Demagoguery thru'the medium of "tweets"-hopefully a failed experiment which will never be repeated to the same extent ever again.

[Silurian]

Donald "hires" the best people. Well, in Jared's case it was pure nepotism. Guess that didn't work out too well. 

 

'He's a f---ing idiot': WH insiders accuse 'moron' Kushner of sabotaging Trump agenda

 

Quote

According to a report from the Spectator, various conservatives close to the administration agree that Kushner, counselor to the president, is disrupting Trump's agenda but are torn on whether it's because of his intellect or agenda.

"Trump has a Jared problem," said a conservative activist who works with the Trump administration on immigration. "Jared is a total <deleted>>-up. Everything he touches turns to lead."

Officials reportedly describe Kushner as a "moron," "slow," and "not very bright" after interacting with him at policy meetings, suggesting he was unfamiliar with the nuances of immigration policy and the details of his own proposals.

 

Huh, who knew there actually was a "Trump Agenda". I wonder if we will ever hear the agenda for the second term?

[welovesundaysatspace]

3 minutes ago, Silurian said:

Officials reportedly describe Kushner as a "moron," "slow," and "not very bright" after interacting with him at policy meetings, suggesting he was unfamiliar with the nuances of immigration policy and the details of his own proposals

Doesn’t that apply to the whole chaos family? 

[thaibeachlovers]

36 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

I still don't get why Ivanka is letting him go down this path?

She probably hopes he loses. From seeing her on the tv I'd say she hates it all. I'd hate it all, most people would hate it all. I'm sure his children hate it all.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 minutes ago, Silurian said:

Donald "hires" the best people. Well, in Jared's case it was pure nepotism. Guess that didn't work out too well. 

 

'He's a f---ing idiot': WH insiders accuse 'moron' Kushner of sabotaging Trump agenda

 

 

Huh, who knew there actually was a "Trump Agenda". I wonder if we will ever hear the agenda for the second term?

The unstated agenda is probably to keep Biden from destroying the country.

[robblok]

15 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The unstated agenda is probably to keep Biden from destroying the country.

Its sad to see that this is the best the US can come up with two elderly president candidates non really inspire confidence. Its more like what one is less of a disaster. 

[Eric Loh]

15 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

She probably hopes he loses. From seeing her on the tv I'd say she hates it all. I'd hate it all, most people would hate it all. I'm sure his children hate it all.

What exactly is Ivanka's role who is listed in the  'A' team do in the White House. "A" team gets the highest pay among all staffs. Seen any of her policies? 

[Berkshire]

4 minutes ago, robblok said:

Its sad to see that this is the best the US can come up with two elderly president candidates non really inspire confidence. Its more like what one is less of a disaster. 

I don't get comments like this.  Yes, I understand that Trump is a disaster.  But if not Biden, who do you think would "inspire confidence?" 

[robblok]

Just now, Berkshire said:

I don't get comments like this.  Yes, I understand that Trump is a disaster.  But if not Biden, who do you think would "inspire confidence?" 

I have no clue but Biden does not inspire confidence. In the past you had the likes of Clinton and Obama. Those guys were younger and inspired far more confidence. 

[Walker88]

Too late.

 

He has now lost even those members of the military who are obligated by Article 88 of the UCMJ from being critical of him. Bountygate has outraged all who serve and all who have served. 45's utter contempt for the men and women who voluntarily go into harm's way on behalf of the United States has eviscerated whatever tacit support he might have once had simply because of the title he assumed.

 

The officer corps despises him. That 45 has chosen to support the leader of a hostile nation over our own troops is beyond the pale. It replaces Benedict Arnold as the synonym for TRAITOR.

 

"All enemies, foreign and domestic"  THAT is the oath we took. We know who the enemy is. NEVER has the US seen such betrayal by a supposed Commander-in-Chief.  Absolutely disgusting.

 

Landslide is coming. Humiliation for the traitor. He will be lucky if the worst that happens to him is his 'brand' is utterly worthless. Indictment and conviction are more likely.

Edited July 2, 2020 by Walker88

[Berkshire]

Just now, robblok said:

I have no clue but Biden does not inspire confidence. In the past you had the likes of Clinton and Obama. Those guys were younger and inspired far more confidence. 

That's what I expected.  Biden won the primary over a couple of dozen other candidates, mainly because the Dems were confident that he could beat Trump.  And in 2020, that's all that matters.

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Berkshire said:

That's what I expected.  Biden won the primary over a couple of dozen other candidates, mainly because the Dems were confident that he could beat Trump.  And in 2020, that's all that matters.

Why is it that you guys field guys that are almost dead.. i mean 77 years. Trump is old too. Just does not inspire confidence. Sorry just feel like the US does not have much to offer if this is the best they can come up with. These guys are dinosaurs. 

[DoctorG]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

Why is it that you guys field guys that are almost dead.. i mean 77 years. Trump is old too. Just does not inspire confidence. Sorry just feel like the US does not have much to offer if this is the best they can come up with. These guys are dinosaurs. 

It is hard to think of any truly inspirational leaders anywhere in the world at the moment. Nominations are now open. ????

[robblok]

9 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

It is hard to think of any truly inspirational leaders anywhere in the world at the moment. Nominations are now open. ????

But do they all have to be so close to death. I mean Obama and Clinton had charisma, Biden and Trump do not. 

 

In my country the goverment leaders are also not that old. They stand far closer to the people then those that are so old and fragile. 

 

I do hope that Biden wins as everything is better then Trump.

[Tug]

17 minutes ago, robblok said:

Why is it that you guys field guys that are almost dead.. i mean 77 years. Trump is old too. Just does not inspire confidence. Sorry just feel like the US does not have much to offer if this is the best they can come up with. These guys are dinosaurs. 

Joe Biden and his TEAM will do just fine rember he was part of the TEAM who bailed us out last time just the steady hand we need at the Helm to get the ship of state back on course other world leaders know him and he knows how the system works we will be ,heck the whole planet will be much better with joe Biden and TEAM at the helm 

[johnmcc6]

2 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

Biden does not have to win this election.

He just needs Trump to lose it.

His pick for v p will be the president when Biden gets tossed out for medical reasons. He won't beat Trump anyway so it doesn't matter what people think about it.

[Dumbastheycome]

My observation of Trump in pictures or video suggests he already realizes he is beat ! His increasingly slumped body language and defiant stone face is not the same as his original  smugness and pompous stance.

No surprise  his  Party Members are increasingly scrambling to distance themselves in the political desire to preserve their own position.

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

Its sad to see that this is the best the US can come up with two elderly president candidates non really inspire confidence. Its more like what one is less of a disaster. 

I suppose the choice must hinge upon who can put together the best team to govern. Boden has the opportunity to put together a good team, Trump has, in four years, repeatedly failed to do so.