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U.S. NEWS Friday 11 august 2017
Trump suggests Senate GOP leader must deliver or step aside

By JULIE BYKOWICZ trol both chambers, but the
ERICA WERNER Trump factor in many races
Associated Press remains a mystery.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- Trump’s comments came
dent Donald Trump es- after he spent two days
calated a stunning feud slamming McConnell
against his top Senate on Twitter, writing Thurs-
partner Thursday, suggest- day morning that after
ing Majority Leader Mitch “screaming” about repeal-
McConnell might have to ing and replacing “Obam-
think about stepping aside acare” for seven years,
if he doesn’t deliver on McConnell “couldn’t get it
the president’s agenda of done.” Several hours later,
health care, taxes and in- the president’s tone took a
frastructure. motivational turn as he ex-
Trump called McConnell’s horted McConnell to “get
failure to pass an “Obam- back to work” and pass
acare” repeal last month bills. “You can do it!”
“a disgrace.” Asked if Mc- The presidential mega-
Connell should consider phone amplified the Mc-
stepping aside or retiring, Connell-bashing that’s
an outcome some conser- been snaking through In this June 27, 2017 photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. steps out of the
vatives are openly clamor- conservative media: Breit- West Wing of the White House in Washington to speak with the media after he and other Senate
ing for, the president’s re- bart News, Fox News’ Sean Republicans met with President Donald Trump. President Donald Trump raised the possibility
sponse was far from a vote Hannity and radio host Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, that McConnell should step down if he can’t muscle health care and
of confidence. Rush Limbaugh are among other legislation through the Senate, taking an extraordinary swipe at the man with the most
“Well I tell you what, if he those who have vilified the power to steer the White House agenda through the chamber. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
doesn’t get repeal and leader after the Senate’s
replace done and if he failure on health care late
doesn’t get taxes done, last month. They represent
meaning cuts and reform, a segment of the Republi-
and if he doesn’t get a can electorate, including
very easy one to get done, some major donors, who
infrastructure, if he doesn’t are out to punish what they
get them done, then you see as a “do-nothing Con-
can ask me that question,” gress” that has hampered
the president told reporters the president’s goals.
in Bedminster, New Jersery, McConnell is “a coward
where he is in the midst of who leads from behind,”
a 17-day break from Wash- ‘’spineless,” and a lifelong
ington. “political animal” of the
Trump later added that sort Trump wants to eject
he is “very disappointed in from Washington, said
Mitch” but would be the Doug Deason, a major do-
first to praise him if legisla- nor based in Texas. Deason
tion begins moving, once said he decided months
again presenting himself as ago not to give money to
a passive observer in the any Republicans up for re-
process rather than a deal- election next year unless
maker with the presidential they can pass Trump’s pri-
pulpit. orities.
There was no immediate Trump and his supporters
response from McConnell’s love such political brawls,
office. and the McConnell flare-
A sitting president openly up potentially shores up the
turning on a Senate major- president’s base at a time
ity leader of his own party when it is showing signs of
in such a fashion is practi- weakening support. But
cally unheard of — yet an- other Republicans saw
other norm destroyed since Trump’s moves as counter-
Trump’s rise on the politi- productive.
cal scene. And while the Even Newt Gingrich, a
fighting words might elate Trump backer and infor-
Trump’s core supporters, mal adviser who formerly
they can only hurt broader served as speaker of the
Republican efforts to move House, criticized the dis-
major legislation this fall on pute.
taxes and spending while “You saw Mitch McCon-
preparing for congressional nell say something, you
elections next year where saw Trump say something,
energized Democrats when it’s obviously better
are rallying to retake the for them to learn not to do
House. Republicans con- that,” Gingrich said. q