(translation: he’s a Republican & party comes first)
In a wide-ranging interview this morning on CBS Face the Nation, Speaker Paul Ryan was repeatedly questioned by John Dickerson about his standard-bearer, particularly Trump’s tax and family leave policies and his recent comments about the African-American community.
With each tough question, Speaker Ryan looked less and less pleased to be sitting in the chair across from Dickerson. Ryan’s responses followed similar themes and formats: Trump is better than Clinton simply because he’s a Republican, he’s new to this thing so it’s fine that he’s offensive and has baseless policies, and now, let’s talk about something else… have you seen my pamphlet?
“Paul Ryan’s interview is perhaps indicative of what’s to come for House Republicans this week, when the first presidential debate refocuses the American people on the choice before them for president. Secretary Clinton will be the only person on stage who is fit for the job, yet House Republicans will continue to put party before country and support Donald Trump. Apologizing for and applauding Trump for ‘showing up’ is not going to cut it in competitive swing districts,” said Meredith Kelly of the DCCC.
Highlights:
Trump’s Offensive Minority Voter Outreach:
When asked about Donald Trump’s recent comments that characterized black communities as being in the “worst shape that they’ve ever been in before,” Speaker Ryan responded that he disagreed but he is “glad” Trump is “making inroads” into the African-American community. Shockingly, he said that when it comes to Republican outreach to minority voters, “half of it is just showing up.”
Speaker Ryan admits the lowest of bars for Trump policy, gets called out for useless pamphlets:
Repeatedly, when asked about Donald Trump’s policy positions, Speaker Ryan tried to pivot to his own “Better Way Agenda,” literally waving around his pamplet during the interview.
During those conversations, Paul Ryan admitted that he is satisfied with Donald Trump’s policies, simply because they exist.
Then, after Paul Ryan pointed to his useless white papers one too many times given the national environment, Dickerson asked whether voters were possibly more aware of Ryan’s policy proposals than Donald Trump’s. We all know the answer to that.
What happened to Republican standards?
Dickerson asked Ryan whether there should be a standard that a candidate for President of the United States should have to live up to, and whether a nominee must operate within the rules of the truth . Paul Ryan’s answer? Trump is new, he’s a business man learning as he goes. Everything, therefore, should be forgiven.
Well Mr. Speaker… Independents and moderate Republicans, particularly in well-educated and affluent suburban and diverse districts, tend to disagree. We hope you’re working on some better talking points for vulnerable House Republicans this week.