After pledging to vote for the “eventual nominee,” Erik Paulsen now says that Donald Trump can “earn his support” – but refuses to say how, or why, or even who he plans on voting for. Unfortunately for Paulsen, his escape plan isn’t helping him in the polls: he is down two against Terri Bonoff, as Minnesota’s 3rd District voters recognize that Republicans are the Party of Trump. With that in mind, here are five things Erik Paulsen is hoping Donald Trump won’t bring up during tonight’s first Presidential debate:
- A woman’s right to choose: Erik Paulsen wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. Trump wants to overturn Roe v. Wade.
- Opposing common-sense gun violence prevention: Erik Paulsen has voted 26 times against bringing “No Fly, No Buy,” legislation to the floor, a measure that would prevent suspected terrorists from being able to purchase firearms. Donald Trump has been typically ambiguous about his position on this.
- Immigration reform: The Republican-led House has failed to act on comprehensive immigration reform, and Erik Paulsen supported Paul Ryan for Speaker despite the fact that he horse-traded away immigration reform in order to get the job.
- Republicans in Congress: Instead of doing their jobs and fully funding a Zika response, or working on a plan to fund the government, House Republicans like Erik Paulsen blocked a vote on the President’s Zika emergency funding request for the eighth time.
- Veterans: Trump’s attack on the Gold Star Khan family was an insult to military families, but Erik Paulsen stayed silent, and now says Donald Trump can “earn his support.”
“Erik Paulsen is hoping Donald Trump won’t bring up women’s choice, gun violence prevention, and immigration reform because it only calls to attention to the fact that Erik Paulsen and his party have opposed these issues every step of the way,” said Sacha Haworth of the DCCC.