Stakes high for Trump as he doubles down bigly for Strange

[yallerdawg]

Reminder: In December, we can possibly trim off one Republican senator! Meanwhile: FU, Trump!

Source: al.com, by Cameron Smith

Rumors swirled that Trump considered withdrawing his endorsement after Strange came in second, but he didn't go much further than congratulating both Roy Moore and Strange for advancing to the primary runoff. Now Trump is doubling down bigly for Strange by campaigning for him in Huntsville on September 23rd.

To put it mildly, presidents don't campaign in primaries unless the stakes are extremely high.

If Moore wins, things start to get interesting. When Trump's endorsement can't protect a candidate in a Republican primary in Alabama, how's it going to be effective in a tougher state like Tennessee? How about swing states like Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

It's one thing for Trump to have declining poll numbers. We've seen inaccurate polls plenty of times. It's quite another matter for Trump's political endorsement to fail in one of his strongest states. Republicans can and will consider whether pushing back against Trump on issues like his immigration deal with Democrats might actually help them politically.

At the same time Trump announced his visit to Huntsville, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-5), who represents the city, endorsed Moore. It's not a coincidence. Brooks had previously declined to support either candidate in spite of his vocal disdain for Strange and the Senate Leadership Fund which is backing him. The congressman is now hoping his popularity in the region will blunt Trump's appeal for Strange.

This isn't simply a pedestrian special election in a red state; it may well decide whether Trump is a powerful president or simply a Twitter tiger. We'll find out on September 26th whether his big bet on Strange pays off. 

Read it all at: http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/09/stakes_extremely_high_for_trum.html#incart_river_home?li_source=base&li_medium=default-widget

[saidsimplesimon]

1. Thank you, yaller

We can make it happen. From my lips to registered Democratic voters, like minded Independents and Republicans who have not sold their soul.