200 House Republicans show up to meet Trump

[don-o]

200 House Republicans show up to meet Trump

 CNBC host introduces the presumptive nominee.

By Rachael Bade, Heather Caygle and John Bresnahan

07/07/16 09:17 AM EDT

 http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-meets-house-republicans-225205#ixzz4DjJqUc5O

House Republicans came face-to-face Thursday morning for the first time with Donald J. Trump.

The billionaire real estate tycoon met with the full House GOP conference at Republican National Committee headquarters, as Republicans try to suppress their displeasure with his controversial campaign and rally behind Trump before the GOP convention this month.

GOP sources say there was a "full house" for the meeting, with at least 200 lawmakers attending. Conservative CNBC host Larry Kudlow introduced Trump.

A number of members, however, planned to skip the gathering, telling POLITICO they had prior engagements — a doctor’s appointment, a breakfast meeting, committee hearings — that prevented them from seeing their presumptive nominee in person.

"It's going to be more of an introductory meeting for members who are not on board or who are not yet there," Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), a Trump supporter, said beforehand. "So I'm expecting people to walk away with a much different opinion than they had. They will see a man more business-like, more boardroom-like. A Donald Trump that wants to hear people's opinions and no so much what they see on TV. It's a 'get to know me' session."

But after a bizarre Wednesday evening speech — Trump defended at length his use of a Star of David in an email attacking Hillary Clinton, raising claims of anti-Semitism from Democrats — he needs to reassure rank-and-file Republicans that he is not leading them to electoral disaster in November.

Trump met in early May with Speaker Paul Ryan and House GOP leadership privately at RNC Chairman Reince Priebus’ request. The presumptive nominee wanted to defuse his tense standoff with Ryan; the two differ on everything from policy priorities to style.

 exc

 

[don-o]

200 House Republicans show up to meet Trump

But after a bizarre Wednesday evening speech — Trump defended at length his use of a Star of David in an email attacking Hillary Clinton, raising claims of anti-Semitism from Democrats — he needs to reassure rank-and-file Republicans that he is not leading them to electoral disaster in November.

"Fear and Loathing in Washington, D.C."

I miss Hunter S. Thompson.

[sinkspur]

Another bizarre scene:  Kudlow and Barletta BEGGING House Republicans to support Trump.  When has that ever been necessary?

What a bunch of cowards.

[don-o]

These political animals' instinct for self preservation has to be overloading them all. I have the image of a trapped wolf gnawing its own leg off.

[catfish1957]

Already alerted my rep that Trump is toxic.  Any support for him will be remembered.

[Mechanicos]

The sole issue was the meeting. But Political's army of Democrats had to get their DNC talking point memo smears in. When all the left wing sources say the exact same things and use the same terms its pretty obvious its scripted.