Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan offered some advice to Democrats seeking to unseat the President in 2020 – make the race about Trump’s personality.
It seems odd to advise the opposition party to attack the one thing Trump’s supporters overwhelming like about him. In fact, in a poll last year, well over half of the respondents viewed the President as intelligent, strong, and decisive.
And in spite of media coverage to the contrary, his base enjoys the occasional verbal sparring he is willing to engage in with political opponents. He fights!
Yet, Ryan believes a referendum on Trump’s personality will carry the Democrat nominee all the way to the White House.
“The person who defines that race is going to win the race,” Ryan told the audience at a lecture in Vero Beach, Florida. “If this is about Donald Trump and his personality, he isn’t going to win it.”
Personality Tips From Ryan? Really?
Mr. No Personality is offering up personality advice to candidates seeking to defeat the man whose charisma helped pull off the biggest election upset in recent memory. Good luck with that.
Pretty rich. Mitt Romney’s failed 2012 running mate, the speaker who lied to us and didn’t deliver Wall funding (and then lost the house) gives advice on winning. https://t.co/aJsGfHhsVv
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 12, 2019
Ryan, though he did not name any specific ones, said there are some Democrat candidates who could beat Trump in 2020 should they follow his advice.
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy offered up a slew of reasons “why [Trump] will be reelected.”
Reporter: [Paul] Ryan said in a closed door fundraising event in Florida that if the president runs on personality in 2020 he will lose the election. Do you agree?
McCarthy: I disagree… This president has a lot of successes to talk about and that’s why he will be reelected pic.twitter.com/8ffCExEmEE
— POLITICO (@politico) March 12, 2019
Ryan’s Betrayal
In hindsight, Ryan offering advice on how to beat Trump while delivering a backhanded slap to the President’s personality is really no surprise.
Betrayal has been a staple of Ryan’s career.
It was he who was in charge when Republicans controlled the House and attempted to repeal Obamacare, quite unsuccessfully.
Ryan pointed fingers at others for that failure during the lecture, specifically the House Freedom Caucus whom he blamed for causing a delay in voting that “eroded public support,” as well as John McCain for giving it a thumbs down vote. It is our understanding that criticism of McCain is frowned upon.
President Trump called out Ryan’s betrayal on the border wall as well. Republicans had two years of control over Congress, and despite a pledge from the then-Speaker, never secured funding.
NEW: Trump Says Paul Ryan Reneged On Deal To Fund Wall For Omnibus Signature “Well, I was going to veto the omnibus bill and Paul told me in the strongest of language, ‘Please don’t do that, we’ll get you the wall.’ https://t.co/wWpB5zFvq3 pic.twitter.com/rZ1Ug0lJba
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) January 31, 2019
Just last month, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe claimed he informed a bipartisan group of congressional leaders known as the ‘Gang of 8’ that the bureau had initiated a counterintelligence investigation into President Trump.
Nobody, including Ryan, raised any objections.
Democrats may enjoy the fact that Ryan represents a member of the resistance against Trump, but might want to look elsewhere for advice. A guy widely viewed as an ineffective Speaker offering campaign advice is rich.
