Rep. Justin Amash nearing decision on presidential run

[groundloop]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by JudyM (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: ABC News

Independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, a frequent critic of President Trump, could make a decision on a presidential run “soon,” his campaign said on Wednesday, a move that could potentially complicate Trump’s ability to consolidate right-leaning voters in November.

“In mid-February, Justin Amash paused active campaigning for his congressional seat to carefully consider a presidential run. He has been discussing the potential campaign with his family, his friends, his team, and others, and a decision can be expected soon,” his campaign said in a statement Wednesday morning.

A Republican-turned-independent who has repeatedly declined to rule out a White House bid, Amash hinted at a looming decision on a presidential run on Twitter earlier this week, when he criticized Trump’s insistence that he, and not governors, would decide when states begin reopening.

Amash, who represents the Grand Rapids area, left the Republican Party last summer over opposition to Trump. He joined nearly all House Democrats in voting to impeach Trump in December on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rep-justin-amash-nearing-decision-presidential-run/story?id=70161067&cid=clicksource_4380645_2_heads_hero_live_headlines_hed

[thucythucy]

1. I doubt this will be helpful.

It may lure Never-Trumpers away from voting for Vice President Biden.

I suppose it might also lure Republicans who might otherwise vote for Trump.

Off hand though my feeling is if you're not voting for Biden, you're part of the problem.

[groundloop]

4. Agreed. If Amash wanted to help he'd endorse Biden.

He has zero chance of winning, his entering the race as an independent would be for no purpose other than to fuel his ego.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. Amash endorse Biden? Amash quit the Republican party ...

... because the Republican Party is too liberal for him.

The Freedom Caucus is too liberal.

The Tea Party is too liberal.

This character is completely right-wing-wacko.

Endorse Biden? Yikes.

[groundloop]

13. Well, ok. But if he doesn't want tRump to win the last thing he should do is run.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Maybe he's the "Susan Sarandon" of the right. He wants to spark the revolution.

He wants a new constitutional convention, a new constitution, establishing English as the only permitted language, Evangelical Xtian as the state religion, white as the only race to own property or vote.

And the Bill of Rights is tossed, except for the Second Amendment.

He'd be dangerous if he wasn't so nuts.

[matt819]

2. IMHO, this would throw the election to Trump

People like Amash - newly turned independents - and so-called moderate republicans need to come out in support of Biden. Read Max Boot in today's Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/15/republicans-who-dont-like-trump-have-no-excuses-endorse-biden/

If these people don't, then the only conclusion one can draw is that they support trump all the way and that he taking America in a direction they approve of.

I think if one or two such republicans come forward to do the right thing, that will be remarkable. The bulk of Republican politicians don't care a whit about America or even the notion of America, except to the extent that they got what they needed out of it, and fuck the rest of you.

[Dopers_Greed]

3. This would siphon more votes from Biden than from Trump

Repugs are solidly behind Trump

[thucythucy]

5. That's my impression as well.

Most generous interpretation: well-meaning but unhelpful.

Least generous: a GOP dirty trick possibly aided by Putin Inc.

[DTomlinson]

6. hope he takes votes from 45

[bucolic_frolic]

7. Zero chance of success so something else is going on here nt

[stillcool]

8. could just be an inflated ego..

lot of that going around.

[not_the_one]

9. Bad idea.

The contrast needs to be stark. Biden and "le turd" would be just that.

Amash would provide a false option, since he couldn't come close to winning. Never turders would have an out, and fence sitters, who would probably tip Biden, would also have an out.

Amash hates the turd, so I don't think it is a maneuver to help him. More than likely it is to heighten name recognition for "after the turd" possibilities.

[Tiger8]

10. Jeb Bush or Ted Cruz could damage Trump

Any credible candidate needs a large, existing base of support to get endorsements, big donors, etc. from the REPUBLICAN PARTY.

But Justin Amash? I see him taking away votes in Michigan. Only possible way ha can help is dropping out in October and endorsing Biden. But there is no evidence to indicate that. Hopefully, he’s just creating some noise here as a prelude to endorsing Joe Biden.

Bottom line? Republicans just need to endorse Joe Biden.

[BamaRefugee]

12. Everybody has their price. The only thing Amash is waiting on is for the money to be right. My bet

is calculations are ongoing with rich right wingers as they figure out how many Biden votes can be taken away by Amash and what the value of that is...

[Lulu KC]

15. Why, I ask you why? n/t

[Paper Roses]

16. NO! This will delete votes for Biden!

Where did this man get the idea that this would be a good idea? We cannot survive any more of this current president and his minions! No more entries please.

We are all afraid of this idiot we now have to accept as pResident. Any vote that deletes Biden is one more step into oblivion!

Yes, I support Warren as VP! Send Amash away. Contact his office, send him a message--whatever. We cannot afford any screw-ups.

It is my opinion that we will have enough trouble during the next election without an unknown entering this race.
I hope I live long enough to see Biden as President and tRump in jail! No matter what his( Amash) stand is, every vote for Biden brings us closer to rid ourselves of the blight now facing us. We do not need any more complications.

Anyone have an email directly to his office?

[Harker]

17. Amash 'n' Angry. n/t

[Stuart G]

18. And guess where Amash will get.."UNLIMITED MONEY" ?.From Donald Trump, that's who..

..If Amash does run, he will not have to worry about "money" because if the real thinking is that he
will take votes away from Joe, then Trump will fund him in unlimited ways...Yes...unlimited......
and it will be......" secret funding."

remember Jill Stein?.....or...Ralph Nader?

maybe you don't, but I do.

[JudyM]

19. Locking

Speculation about what may happen doesn’t meet the SOP for LBN. Please post in GD instead.

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