The Briefing Room
General Category => Politics/Government => Topic started by: mystery-ak on June 23, 2016, 05:03:26 pm
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http://www.newsmax.com/PrintTemplate.aspx/?nodeid=735301
Newsmax
Trump's VP Front-runner: Sen. Sessions of Alabama
Thursday, June 23, 2016 12:49 PM
By: John Gizzi
With less than a month to go before the Republican National Convention that will make Donald Trump's nomination for president official, sources close to the billionaire candidate told Newsmax Wednesday that his top choice, at the moment, as his vice presidential running mate is Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama.
Requesting anonymity, the sources told us that Trump feels personally comfortable with swashbuckling conservative Sessions, 69, who was the first member of the Senate to endorse his candidacy and who frequently speaks with him.
The square Sessions seems to fit many square holes for Trump: he's conservative and nails down the party's right flank, he endorsed Trump early and has been extremely loyal, he has Washington legislative experience — a key requirement — and importantly, he can be totally trusted never to criticize Trump no matter what he might say in the coming months.
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sessions has already had a "strong impact." His immigration legislation has already been the cornerstone of trumps Mexico and deportation policies. Sessions played a key role in creating Trump's surprise list of a dozen Supreme Court appointees he would consider. The list pleased conservatives and was particularly responsible for Trump naming Judge William Pryor (who succeeded Sessions as state attorney general of Alabama) as a top choice, a source said.
Moreover, judged the fifth-most-conservative U.S. senator by the "National Journal," and with lifetime ratings of 96 percent from the American Conservative Union and 80 percent from the Heritage Action Fund, insiders say by picking sessions Trump will be able to stake positions more in the center and even to the left of Hillary Clinton.
"The selection will reassure conservatives," said Franklin & Marshall College Professor G. Terry Madonna, considered the premier pollster in Pennsylvania. "Sessions is one of the more conservative senators — that should be reassuring to economic conservatives and the religious right."
Among issues where Sessions has been a leader on the right have been as a hard-line opponent of illegal immigration, Obamacare, and abortion. He was a leading proponent of tax cuts under the George W. Bush administration and helped lead the fight against repeal of the "Don't ask, don't tell" rule regarding gays in the military.
Sessions did support the Iraq War, which Trump now denounces Clinton for backing. But he also never disagrees with Trump in public, which "the Donald" is said to appreciate.
"Jeff is solid," former Sen. Jon Kyl (R.-Ariz.), who worked closely with Sessions on the Senate Judiciary Committee for many years, told Newsmax Wednesday as rumors of his possible selection mounted.
Kyl also told us that "Sen. Sessions is well grounded in all of the major areas and would be prepared to step in should there be a need."
He was referring to another reason Sessions backers close to Trump feel the senator is now leading for the Number Two spot: the long-standing Republican Party tradition of an "outsider-insider" national ticket.
Going back to 1868, when retired Gen. and first-time candidate Ulysses Grant was nominated for president and tapped House Speaker Schuyler Colfax for vice president, the GOP has had a history of almost always running a seasoned political "pro" for vice president when the nominee for the top job is a political outsider or non-office-holder.
Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was matched with known anti-communist Sen. Richard Nixon in 1952 and, more recently, "anti-Washington" nominees Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush turned to "insiders" George H.W. Bush and Dick Cheney, respectively, as running mates.
In Sessions, Trump — who has never held elected office before — would have a running mate who has been active in politics since he was in the Young Republicans at Huntingdon College in Alabama back when the GOP in the South was in the proverbial telephone booth.
Tapped by President Reagan to be U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama in 1981, University of Alabama Law School graduate and U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Sessions developed a reputation as "the Southern Giuliani" for his successful prosecution record.
When Reagan appointed Sessions to the U.S. District Court in 1986, civil rights and liberal groups mobilized charged he had made insensitive comments about the civil rights movement — comments, Sessions insisted, were made "in jest" and which he was apologized for.
But supporters could never muster the one additional vote they needed in the Senate Judiciary Committee to break a 9-9 tie and report the Sessions nomination to the Senate. The nomination was withdrawn.
Sessions went on to be elected state attorney general in 1994 and, two years later, was easily elected to the Senate seat relinquished by the political actor pivotal to thwarting his nomination to the bench: Democrat Howell Heflin, who after saying he would support Sessions on the Judiciary Committee, ended up voting "no."
One unique part of a Trump-Sessions team-up that Democrats are sure to bring up is that, with Trump recently turning 70 and Sessions turning 70 in December, theirs would be the oldest national ticket of a major party in history. However, Trump is said not to care about this and it would seem that a Democratic nominee who is 69 would not try to make this an issue.
Plus, reports suggests the Trump will not name his vice president shall not many early, but wants to save it for the convention as a major touch point in his political coronation.
While friends of Trump acknowledge that sessions is the current front runner they also admit that it's not concrete until it's announced. Other candidates that make the shortlist or Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, Gen. Mike Flynn, former director of the defense intelligence agency, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
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I really don't like that pick because I don't think it helps him, at all.
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He is dead to me.
#Noforgiveness. #Nevertrump
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He isn't all that conservative. You didn't see him battling with Lee and Cruz very often.
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Daniel Lin @DLin71 May 13
Trump’s VP shortlist
-John Miller
-John Barron
-Tonald Drump
-Art Vandelay
-Donald Trump with Mirrorverse goatee
-Yugey McYugehands
Daniel Lin @DLin71 May 3
Trump’s VP shortlist
-Tanks from Tiananmen Square
-Loop of Jack Bauer torturing someone
-Starbucks cups plastered with Christmas decorations
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I really don't like that pick because I don't think it helps him, at all.
It seems this is a trial balloon to get reaction... To me it is a concession to the bare fact that Trump is having real trouble attracting Conservatives (Just like his meeting with Evangelical leaders)...
It makes no difference to me, and I doubt it would make any difference with other Conservatives... It's like putting chocolate sprinkles on a turd.
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It seems this is a trial balloon to get reaction... To me it is a concession to the bare fact that Trump is having real trouble attracting Conservatives (Just like his meeting with Evangelical leaders)...
It makes no difference to me, and I doubt it would make any difference with other Conservatives... It's like putting chocolate sprinkles on a turd.
Yeah, I can't think of people running to support his candidacy just because Sessions is the VP. He's just not that strong/well-known enough of a personality to make people think he could materially influence the guy.
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Daniel Lin @DLin71 May 13
Trump’s VP shortlist
-John Miller
-John Barron
-Tonald Drump
-Art Vandelay
-Donald Trump with Mirrorverse goatee
-Yugey McYugehands
If he's going to go with a New Yorker, I'd suggest Dr. van Nostrand. Their personalities would be a much better fit.
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Oh goody. Two old white men, one 69, the other in his 70s. Yeah, that's really going to fire people up.
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-Donald Trump with Mirrorverse goatee
Not sure how well that would work. Mirrorverse Trump would be modest, peaceful and benevolent.
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Well, at least now we know what price Sessions puts on his conservative principles.
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Yeah, I can't think of people running to support his candidacy just because Sessions is the VP. He's just not that strong/well-known enough of a personality to make people think he could materially influence the guy.
But Sessions IS a strong Conservative (prior to drinking the Trump-Aid)... And very well known in Conservative circles...
I am sure the idea is to give Conservatives a reason to join in, ala McCain/Palin - My point though, is that it didn't work for McCain, and it won't work for Trump. Conservatives, by and large, look at the man - They pay no mind to bells and whistles.
It wouldn't matter if he got Ted Cruz himself to sign on for VP... I wouldn't vote for Trump under any condition.
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I really don't like that pick because I don't think it helps him, at all.
Sessions won't do a thing for Trump electorally, but it looks like he may be only the major figure willing to run with him. There's always Newt, I suppose, but Newt will hurt Trump, not help him.
Kudos to the many prominent Republicans who've rejected the idea of running with Trump. This election is lost, and when Trumpism is rejected there will remain a core of principled conservatives who refused to eat this turd sandwich, and who can help pick up the pieces.
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But Sessions IS a strong Conservative (prior to drinking the Trump-Aid)... And very well known in Conservative circles...
I am sure the idea is to give Conservatives a reason to join in, ala McCain/Palin - My point though, is that it didn't work for McCain, and it won't work for Trump. Conservatives, by and large, look at the man - They pay no mind to bells and whistles.
It wouldn't matter if he got Ted Cruz himself to sign on for VP... I wouldn't vote for Trump under any condition.
The only thing it does is give me a reason not to vote for Sessions should he run for reelection in Alabama.
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Not sure how well that would work. Mirrorverse Trump would be modest, peaceful and benevolent.
lol. good point.
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Well, at least now we know what price Sessions puts on his conservative principles.
The Thomas Figures mess that torpedoed his judicial appointment will be resurrected. He will undoubtedly be questioned also about his curious affinity for Jimmy Faulkner, Sr, who was one of the nastiest Democrat operatives the state of Alabama has ever known. Even eulogized him at the man's funeral.
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Well, I think we saw this coming. Other than siding with Trump, Sessions is seen as a strong conservative and has stood his ground against amnesty and illegal immigration. Trump could have picked a lot worse, but other than his strong anti-amnesty stance, he doesn't bring a whole lot to the ticket; they are going to be seen as two white, rich, racist old geezers. Sessions net worth is around $15,000,000.00. Perhaps with Sessions, he'll get more of the GOP to endorse him and perhaps it will help with granting him the nomination at the Convention. Sessions definitely doesn't bring enough to the table to persuade me to cast my vote for Trump. One things is for certain, the jelly doughnut boy is going to be very disappointed.
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He is dead to me.
#Noforgiveness. #Nevertrump
Amen..... Sell Out Sessions
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If he's going to go with a New Yorker, I'd suggest Dr. van Nostrand. Their personalities would be a much better fit.
I prefer scumbag sessions. I'd hate to see an actual conservative ruin his career by running with lying don.
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Oh goody. Two old white men, one 69, the other in his 70s. Yeah, that's really going to fire people up.
Two protectionist aholes...
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Reality check before we all go flying off the handle. No offer has been given to Sessions, thus no acceptance. Like another said already, this may be nothing more than a trial balloon.
But in any event, Trump to have any chance at all in November needs to reach across the wide chasm that separates his supporters and the #neverTrumps with his VP pick. I like Sessions, but no not him, and not anyone I can think of right now can change my mind about voting for Trump.
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It seems this is a trial balloon to get reaction... To me it is a concession to the bare fact that Trump is having real trouble attracting Conservatives (Just like his meeting with Evangelical leaders)...
It makes no difference to me, and I doubt it would make any difference with other Conservatives... It's like putting chocolate sprinkles on a turd.
Yep. Completely superficial, and I could care less about Sessions anyway, after how he threw his former buddy Cruz under the bus for the likes of Trump.
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Sessions is considered a hard core conservative and has been given an A+ rating by the NRA. Quite honestly, I tend to agree with Sessions on just about every issue other than free trade. He definitely won't help with the Hispanic or female vote.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Jeff_Sessions.htm
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Sessions is considered a hard core conservative and has been given an A+ rating by the NRA.
lol.... the NRA has a less than stellar endorsement history... which is the reason other groups are growing fast
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Oh goody. Two old white men, one 69, the other in his 70s. Yeah, that's really going to fire people up.
Trump just wrapped up the George Wallace vote. The man is shrewd.
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Yep. Completely superficial, and I could care less about Sessions anyway, after how he threw his former buddy Cruz under the bus for the likes of Trump.
That's still a head-scratcher.
There must have been a personality conflict They served on a number of the same committees.
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Sessions is considered a hard core conservative and has been given an A+ rating by the NRA. Quite honestly, I tend to agree with Sessions on just about every issue other than free trade. He definitely won't help with the Hispanic or female vote.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Jeff_Sessions.htm
As things are now could anyone help with Hispanics or unmarried women?
I don't mean just because of Trump. He's his own special kind of stupid. I mean because the media, schools, popular culture and Rats have done such a good job perpetuating the leftist propaganda that western civilization (insert white men) is evil any Pub running for office starts in a negative position and if the candidate is a white man the negative is increased.
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That's still a head-scratcher.
There must have been a personality conflict They served on a number of the same committees.
Just a thought, but it could be as simple as Trump was getting all the press coverage and was so unusual that he seemed unstoppable (remember it was a Pub year). Sessions may have just wanted to jump on board before the train left the station. I think this happened with a lot of people who endorsed Trump before he had it won. Now a lot of these same people have ended any significance they might have had in politics; Huckabee, Carson, Palin come to mind.
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That's still a head-scratcher.
There must have been a personality conflict They served on a number of the same committees.
The answer is easy and obvious. sessions is a sell-out. I wonder how much lying don paid for this wretched little man?
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That's still a head-scratcher.
There must have been a personality conflict They served on a number of the same committees.
It's called Trump lining Session's pockets with the green stuff and a promise to be one of his cabinet members; VP seemed to be the most persuasive.
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It's called Trump lining Session's pockets with the green stuff and a promise to be one of his cabinet members; VP seemed to be the most persuasive.
Sessions might have looked at his career path and decided that McCain (Armed Services) and Grassley (Judiciary) were intending to die in office and any shot he had of being a committee Chairman was not going to materialize.
Also, he is the Chairman of the Judiciary's Immigration and National Interest Sub-Committee so he might just have the first hand experience to conclude that Trump's plan is the only one that can stem the tide.
I don't know that I've ever looked at Sessions as being particularly venal or craven. I've always liked him.
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Sessions might have looked at his career path and decided that McCain (Armed Services) and Grassley (Judiciary) were intending to die in office and any shot he had of being a committee Chairman was not going to materialize.
Also, he is the Chairman of the Judiciary's Immigration and National Interest Sub-Committee so he might just have the first hand experience to conclude that Trump's plan is the only one that can stem the tide.
I don't know that I've ever looked at Sessions as being particularly venal or craven. I've always liked him.
I find it quite surprising that after Sessions vehemently vowed for Cruz's stance on amnesty he suddenly shifted and endorsed Trump; right before Super Tuesday. Months later Sessions is then rumored as being on Trump's VP list and now it seems that he is Trump's pick. Granted it could all be coincidental, I tend to think otherwise.
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He could pick David Duke. Or Pat Buchanon.
They'd fit in well with his campaign.
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He could pick David Duke. Or Pat Buchanon.
They'd fit in well with his campaign.
That will put the White sheets back in all the Bedrooms at 1600 Penn av.
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He could pick David Duke. Or Pat Buchanon.
They'd fit in well with his campaign.
Nah, they're not racist enough or stupid enough.
Plus, he could never be on stage with either of them. Their hands are too big.
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Trump's VP pick will be Trump:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP0i4YAs9vA
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Trump's VP pick will be Trump:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP0i4YAs9vA
:laughingdog: