Trump says ‘We must fight’ hard-line conservative Freedom Caucus in 2018 midterm elections

[bamaEER]

President Trump effectively declared war Thursday on the House Freedom Caucus, the powerful group of hard-line conservative Republicans who blocked the GOP health-care bill, vowing to “fight them” in the 2018 midterm elections.

In a morning tweet, Trump warned that the Freedom Caucus would “hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast.” He grouped its members, all of them Republican, with Democrats in calling for their political defeat — an extraordinary incitement of intraparty combat from a sitting president.

There are about 32 members of the Freedom Caucus, and most of them were elected or reelected comfortably in solidly Republican districts. With his tweet, Trump seemed to be encouraging primary challenges to each of them in next year's elections. Asked to elaborate on Trump's threat, the White House had no immediate comment.

Trump and his White House advisers have been frustrated by the intransigence of Freedom Caucus members, led by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.). Trump lobbied them intensively to support the GOP plan to replace President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act, only to see the bill collapse Friday after Meadows and his allies said they would not vote for it.

Trump's threat comes as Republican leaders are bracing for a month of potential GOP infighting over spending priorities. Congress must pass a spending bill by April 28 to avert a government shutdown, but the path ahead, as in recent spending battles on Capitol Hill, is narrow and filled with obstacles.

“Nothing to add at this time,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “The president's tweet speaks for itself.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...018-midterm-elections/?utm_term=.eb5935e4923d

 

[TarHeelEer]

President Trump effectively declared war Thursday on the House Freedom Caucus, the powerful group of hard-line conservative Republicans who blocked the GOP health-care bill, vowing to “fight them” in the 2018 midterm elections.

In a morning tweet, Trump warned that the Freedom Caucus would “hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast.” He grouped its members, all of them Republican, with Democrats in calling for their political defeat — an extraordinary incitement of intraparty combat from a sitting president.

There are about 32 members of the Freedom Caucus, and most of them were elected or reelected comfortably in solidly Republican districts. With his tweet, Trump seemed to be encouraging primary challenges to each of them in next year's elections. Asked to elaborate on Trump's threat, the White House had no immediate comment.

Trump and his White House advisers have been frustrated by the intransigence of Freedom Caucus members, led by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.). Trump lobbied them intensively to support the GOP plan to replace President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act, only to see the bill collapse Friday after Meadows and his allies said they would not vote for it.

Trump's threat comes as Republican leaders are bracing for a month of potential GOP infighting over spending priorities. Congress must pass a spending bill by April 28 to avert a government shutdown, but the path ahead, as in recent spending battles on Capitol Hill, is narrow and filled with obstacles.

“Nothing to add at this time,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “The president's tweet speaks for itself.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...018-midterm-elections/?utm_term=.eb5935e4923d

That was smart. One tweet did more damage than the snowflakes had in 3 months.

 

[bamaEER]

That was smart. One tweet did more damage than the snowflakes had in 3 months.

More evidence that he really doesn't want this job anymore.

 

[Boomboom521]

I like this. Shows his pettiness, imo. "Cross me, and I'll make you pay". Many GOP faithful on this board hated this bill, and were happy it didn't pass. Trump is crucifying those that go against his wishes. Maybe others within the GOP (including the voters) will see how much ego drives this man's decision making, and understand he's bad for democracy. Keep it up Trump. Bully people in the boardroom, because you pay more lawyers than they do, and you probably win....bully people on capital hill because your rally's are bigger, and you're agenda gets stymied with you getting the blame.

 

[bamaEER]

I like this. Shows his pettiness, imo. "Cross me, and I'll make you pay". Many GOP faithful on this board hated this bill, and were happy it didn't pass. Trump is crucifying those that go against his wishes. Maybe others within the GOP (including the voters) will see how much ego drives this man's decision making, and understand he's bad for democracy. Keep it up Trump. Bully people in the boardroom, because you pay more lawyers than they do, and you probably win....bully people on capital hill because your rally's are bigger, and you're agenda gets stymied with you getting the blame.

He's not getting his way and he's now realizing that those divisive bully tactics that he's used successfully on Wall St for the last 50 years will never work in Washington. He's burning all bridges now.

 

[WhiteTailEER]

That was smart. One tweet did more damage than the snowflakes had in 3 months.

This is an example of the problems I figured he would have. Everybody kept saying, he's a good businessman, blah blah blah ... but being the CEO of a business and calling the shots is different than politics. It's an entirely different world. All of his childish outbursts during the campaign was foreshadowing of how he'd behave towards any opposition as president.

 

[bamaEER]

This is an example of the problems I figured he would have. Everybody kept saying, he's a good businessman, blah blah blah ... but being the CEO of a business and calling the shots is different than politics. It's an entirely different world. All of his childish outbursts during the campaign was foreshadowing of how he'd behave towards any opposition as president.

Bingo.

And the more pushback he faces, the dumber he gets. He lacks the social and tactical skills to negotiate with politicians.

 

[Boomboom521]

This is an example of the problems I figured he would have. Everybody kept saying, he's a good businessman, blah blah blah ... but being the CEO of a business and calling the shots is different than politics. It's an entirely different world. All of his childish outbursts during the campaign was foreshadowing of how he'd behave towards any opposition as president.

I think (esp in the house) there is a political requirement to play nice with an elected President of your own party for a time. Once the President is destroyed by scandal or ineffectiveness in time, turning against him is then ok. Trump is a "populist" GOP president, and I think it's been difficult to read for GOP lawmakers. Add to that the lack of faith in the polling models. Trump would be smart to help promote the GOP agenda to his followers....but I don't know if his ego can take it. Political football is brutal, and this is the NFL

 

[Keyser76]

The unified GOP. lmfao. The house voted about 60 times to repeal Obamacare when Obama was President but couldn't do it when Trump was? Wonder why? The worst are the intelligent GOPers who are still propping up this incompetent fraud. I like what the Freedom Caucus tweeted back, "It didn't take long for the swamp to drain Donald"! lol So what about the true believers on here? Ya'll with trump or the ******** of the past with your Tea Party Freddom caucus buffoons? tax reform should be a breeze!

 

[atlkvb]

That was smart. One tweet did more damage than the snowflakes had in 3 months.

Instead of trying to figure out whose side the Freedom caucus is on, Trump needs to figure out if he's on their side? Still I find it amusing that the Left finally appears to agree with Trump on at least one thing...stopping Conservatives!

I thought up to now they saw Trump as the worst Republican since Lincoln.(LOL)

 

[moe]

This is an example of the problems I figured he would have. Everybody kept saying, he's a good businessman, blah blah blah ... but being the CEO of a business and calling the shots is different than politics. It's an entirely different world. All of his childish outbursts during the campaign was foreshadowing of how he'd behave towards any opposition as president.

I think that he's still amazed that congresspersons would be loyal to their constituents and not to him and apparently he's still not getting it. He's just not used to hearing "no" and he doesn't know how to deal with it.

 

[atlkvb]

Add to that the lack of faith in the polling models. Trump would be smart to help promote the GOP agenda to his followers....but I don't know if his ego can take it. Political football is brutal, and this is the NFL

Conservatives have been saying this about him all along. Many of us knew he was no genuine principled Conservative, and we said so. It was you Leftists who blamed us all of "giving up our values" just to see him get elected.

In fact, we were willing to drive him to the Right (which for the most we have) and you guys were the ones attacking him, not us!

Now all of a sudden we were right and you guys agree?

Comical.

(News flash...Trump's agenda is largely supported by Conservatives, and he is actively courting their support for even more initiatives. Health care is not dead...it's being "re worked" to include Conservative principles Trump didn't understand)

 

[TarHeelEer]

Instead of trying to figure out whose side the Freedom caucus is on, Trump needs to figure out if he's on their side? Still I find it amusing that the Left finally appears to agree with Trump on at least one thing...stopping Conservatives!

I thought up to now they saw Trump as the worst Republican since Lincoln.(LOL)

It was a matter of time. He's a salesman, afterall.

 

[atlkvb]

It was a matter of time. He's a salesman, afterall.

Trump is not from the political world, and doesn't play their back scratching games. That's one dynamic at work here. Many on the Left correctly describe him as being unable to take "no" for an answer, but his instincts don't drive him to compromise.

He has to learn where to pick his battles and it's not with his party's base. Because he is not ideologically driven, he finds it hard to understand how Conservatives are not loyal to him...which he sees as disrespectful.

He will understand the political reality of attacking his base, and back off of that strategy, especially with bigger fish to fry over the budget and taxes. Trump is also a pragmatist and very sophisticated politically even if he lacks ideological conviction.

His bottom line is results. He wants the American people to judge him on those, so I predict he will find a way to satisfy his base (Conservatives) in order to win their loyalty.

The Left is just happy they have something else besides Russians to bash him with...they don't want to see him winning with Conservatives any more than I want to see them winning with an agenda for expanded Government.

 

[Keyser76]

Listening to American Family Radio just now, lol, the Tea Party crowd not happy with the Donald!

 

[atlkvb]

Listening to American Family Radio just now, lol, the Tea Party crowd not happy with the Donald!

He was not our first choice, and many of you on the Left completely dismissed those of us on the Right who tried to explain this. We "settled" for him because the alternative was worse, but we knew he was no genuine principled Conservative.

However in many ways he's surprised us with his policies, and he knows that he needs our continued support in order to win which he values above all else. So we have him right where he needs us.

 

[Boomboom521]

Conservatives have been saying this about him all along. Many of us knew he was no genuine principled Conservative, and we said so. It was you Leftists who blamed us all of "giving up our values" just to see him get elected.

In fact, we were willing to drive him to the Right (which for the most we have) and you guys were the ones attacking him, not us!

Now all of a sudden we were right and you guys agree?

Comical.

(News flash...Trump's agenda is largely supported by Conservatives, and he is actively courting their support for even more initiatives. Health care is not dead...it's being "re worked" to include Conservative principles Trump didn't understand)

Comical: is the right saying he's not one of us really, but we will make him one of us, but he's his own man and not subject to being pushed around by politics, but he will do what's right for the GOP because of politics, but he is conservative with his agenda, but not really a conservative, but he's not Hillary, but he's not a criminal, but he's not really a GOP in his values, but he values America above everything, but he's a winner, but he's willing to get pushed to the right, but he doesn't get pushed around

 

[bamaEER]

Trump is not from the political world, and doesn't play their back scratching games. That's one dynamic at work here. Many on the Left correctly describe him as being unable to take "no" for an answer, but his instincts don't drive him to compromise.

He has to learn where to pick his battles and it's not with his party's base. Because he is not ideologically driven, he finds it hard to understand how Conservatives are not loyal to him...which he sees as disrespectful.

He will understand the political reality of attacking his base, and back off of that strategy, especially with bigger fish to fry over the budget and taxes. Trump is also a pragmatist and very sophisticated politically even if he lacks ideological conviction.

His bottom line is results. He wants the American people to judge him on those, so I predict he will find a way to satisfy his base (Conservatives) in order to win their loyalty.

The Left is just happy they have something else besides Russians to bash him with...they don't want to see him winning with Conservatives any more than I want to see them winning with an agenda for expanded Government.

We've been saying this about him all along. The right simply whipped out 'The Art of the Deal' as evidence of his abilities.

 

[Boomboom521]

It was a matter of time. He's a salesman, afterall.

FIFY: It was a matter of time. He's a conman, after all.

 

[bamaEER]

Knowing Darth Breitbart Bannon is closely aligned philosophically with the Freedom Caucus, I wonder if Biff went against his master's wishes in tweeting this.

 

[atlkvb]

We've been saying this about him all along. The right simply whipped out 'The Art of the Deal' as evidence of his abilities.

We (on the Right) are not surprised he has no Conservative principles. I'm surprised you folks on the Left are just now figuring out we were correct, but you misunderstand if you think he's lost our support.

Quite the opposite in fact, he needs to actively court us in order to complete his agenda and I predict he will (and is).

Trump wants to win. Whatever it takes to do that he will do. He thought by watering down the AHCA it would win principled Conservatives and he miscalculated. It (AHCA) will be reworked to satisfy Conservative concerns and Trump will agree to it in order to get rid of the ACA which he is determined to do.

Conservatives will help him too as long as he realizes what it's going to take to make it right. He will.

 

[bamaEER]

We (on the Right) are not surprised he has no Conservative principles. I'm surprised you folks on the Left are just now figuring out we were correct, but you misunderstand if you think he's lost our support.

Quite the opposite in fact, he needs to actively court us in order to complete his agenda and I predict he will (and is).

Trump wants to win. Whatever it takes to do that he will do. He thought by watering down the AHCA it would win principled Conservatives and he miscalculated. It (AHCA) will be reworked to satisfy Conservative concerns and Trump will agree to it in order to get rid of the ACA which he is determined to do.

Conservatives will help him too as long as realizes what it's going to take to make it right. He will.

You have to understand something. We were correct about him all along.

 

[Keyser76]

He was not our first choice, and many of you on the Left completely dismissed those of us on the Right who tried to explain this. We "settled" for him because the alternative was worse, but we knew he was no genuine principled Conservative.

However in many ways he's surprised us with his policies, and he knows that he needs our continued support in order to win which he values above all else. So we have him right where he needs us.

I could give a f*ck who your first choice was, Cruz? lol, and win what? Repeal or Replace? If I was the freedom caucus I wouldn't worry so much about a President with the lowest approval levels in history campaigning against me!

 

[atlkvb]

You have to understand something. We were correct about him all along.

You guys only saw him as anti-Left. You weren't worried about his lack of Conservative bonafides.

Who are you kidding?

 

[Boomboom521]

You guys only saw him as anti-Left. You weren't worried about his lack of Conservative bonafides.

Who are you kidding?

No I think most people saw him as FOS, and on no side but his own. Founding member of the Egomaniacal Party of America.....the new EPA under Trump. He's eliminating the EPA because he wants the rights to the acronym.

 

[atlkvb]

I could give a f*ck who your first choice was, Cruz? lol, and win what? Repeal or Replace? If I was the freedom caucus I wouldn't worry so much about a President with the lowest approval levels in history campaigning against me!

You'll be amazed what a little Conservative "truth serum" to a brash businessman from Liberal New York will do to his perspective.

Watch him on Tax reform, devolution, Federalism, budget and entitlement reforms. You'll soon be screaming your typical "racist, sexist, homophobic" lexicon you typically ascribe to the Right. Trump hasn't abandoned any Conservative principles ( he doesn't have them).

He's learning how to discover them, and that they work every time they're tried.

 

[atlkvb]

No I think most people saw him as FOS, and on no side but his own. Founding member of the Egomaniacal Party of America.....the new EPA under Trump. He's eliminating the EPA because he wants the rights to the acronym.

That's funny to ascribe that motive to him, but the results are it's (EPA) being "defanged" much to the delight of Conservatives.

 

[bamaEER]

You guys only saw him as anti-Left. You weren't worried about his lack of Conservative bonafides.

Who are you kidding?

BS

 

[Keyser76]

You guys only saw him as anti-Left. You weren't worried about his lack of Conservative bonafides.

Who are you kidding?

What? I saw him as an incompetent buffoon who stirred up racist idiots and promised them anything they wanted to hear, lol. And now hell, I'm on the same side as the Freedom caucus since he declared war on them and the democrats. Don't you get dizzy from spinning?

 

[bamaEER]

What? I saw him as an incompetent buffoon who stirred up racist idiots and promised them anything they wanted to hear, lol. And now hell, I'm on the same side as the Freedom caucus since he declared war on them and the democrats. Don't you get dizzy from spinning?

Exactly. And I'm not left, I'm middle....Kasich was my candidate. These whacknuts think everything is based on some ironclad liberal agenda. Totally clueless.

And we were right all along about Biff.

 

[atlkvb]

Comical: is the right saying he's not one of us really, but we will make him one of us, but he's his own man and not subject to being pushed around by politics, but he will do what's right for the GOP because of politics, but he is conservative with his agenda, but not really a conservative, but he's not Hillary, but he's not a criminal, but he's not really a GOP in his values, but he values America above everything, but he's a winner, but he's willing to get pushed to the right, but he doesn't get pushed around

Trump understands success boomer. He doesn't require an ideological center to see it or do what it takes to make it happen. His ideology is winning. Period.

I'm saying he will understand that in order to win (ex Judge Gorsuch) he needs to court and satisfy his party's base.

Conservatives.

If you think he will cast them aside in favor of Democrats and their Leftist agenda, (which he knows is a loser) I have some Uranium from Russia acquired at bargain prices I can offer you at deeper discounts than Hillary offered them.

 

[atlkvb]

What? I saw him as an incompetent buffoon who stirred up racist idiots and promised them anything they wanted to hear, lol. And now hell, I'm on the same side as the Freedom caucus since he declared war on them and the democrats. Don't you get dizzy from spinning?

You're happy Trump is "attacking" Conservatives? I'm trying to tell you he's upset about tactics, and Conservatives aren't the problem.

Hell no you don't support the Freedom caucus...neither does Trump but he also knows that without them he can't win.

THAT'S what I'm trying to educate you on. Trump knows in order to win he needs them, and he will find a way to make them happy so he can WIN.

It's easy to see if you take off your ideological blinders.

 

[MountaineerWV]

I like this. Shows his pettiness, imo. "Cross me, and I'll make you pay". Many GOP faithful on this board hated this bill, and were happy it didn't pass. Trump is crucifying those that go against his wishes. Maybe others within the GOP (including the voters) will see how much ego drives this man's decision making, and understand he's bad for democracy. Keep it up Trump. Bully people in the boardroom, because you pay more lawyers than they do, and you probably win....bully people on capital hill because your rally's are bigger, and you're agenda gets stymied with you getting the blame.

He's Richard Nixon.......think about it......

1. corruption or scandals
2. "enemies list"
3. ego problems/always has to be right
4. confrontational, even with his own people

Now, I'm not sure Nixon had the hots for any of his kids or kin like Trump does for his daughter, so that might be one of the few things that separate them. [thumbsup]

 

[atlkvb]

BS

Oh so he wasn't Conservative enough for you, or was he too Conservative?

BS.

 

[atlkvb]

He's Richard Nixon.......think about it......

1. corruption or scandals
2. "enemies list"
3. ego problems/always has to be right
4. confrontational, even with his own people

Now, I'm not sure Nixon had the hots for any of his kids or kin like Trump does for his daughter, so that might be one of the few things that separate them. [thumbsup]

Well then I guess we have a landslide second term election coming?

 

[Keyser76]

You're happy Trump is "attacking" Conservatives? I'm trying to tell you he's upset about tactics, and Conservatives aren't the problem.

Hell no you don't support the Freedom caucus...neither does Trump but he also knows that without them he can't win.

THAT'S what I'm trying to educate you on. Trump knows in order to win he needs them, and he will find a way to make them happy so he can WIN.

It's easy to see if you take off your ideological blinders.

WTF? My ideological blinders? lol, do you think the Freedom Caucus will be made Happy by threatening to Primary them? You got the blinders not me, I ain't happy about anything, embarrassed is a better word.

 

[atlkvb]

WTF? And here I thought it was because the Freedom Caucus was against Healthcare for everyone at a

No one on the Right is "against" Healthcare for the American people. We just don't need the Government running it.

 

[Boomboom521]

Trump understands success boomer. He doesn't require an ideological center to see it or do what it takes to make it happen. His ideology is winning. Period.

I'm saying he will understand that in order to win (ex Judge Gorsuch) he needs to court and satisfy his party's base.

Conservatives.

If you think he will cast them aside in favor of Democrats and their Leftist agenda, (which he knows is a loser) I have some Uranium from Russia acquired at bargain prices I can offer you at deeper discounts than Hillary offered them.

Winning....or settling out of court....or cheating the system (guess technically that's winning), or flip flopping which side you're on in order to "win", or controlling the people that declare the winner, or just lying about winning. Putting your name in gold doesn't make you a winner....not in my book anyway.

 

[Keyser76]

Oh so he wasn't Conservative enough for you, or was he too Conservative?

BS.

He was a buffoonish ***** grabbing compromised lying idiot!, like we all knew before he got the GOP base to kiss his hairy white ***! I knew he wasn't conservative when he said he would provide healthcare for everyone and it would be wonderful and cost less!

 

[Boomboom521]

No one on the Right is "against" Healthcare for the American people. We just don't need the Government running it.

I bet if big business told you to suck it's dick....you wouldn't be so against homosexuality then