Trump, who used the day to launch a robust charm offensive with members of Congress, broadcast his own enthusiasm, on Twitter and on TV.
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Coates noted Cruz’s tense relationship with his colleagues but said it had never been personal; and on the topic of whether Cruz will campaign for fellow Republicans up for re-election, Coates said “I think you could probably surmise from what he did in 2014 which is, ‘if people want me I’ll come, if they want me to stay away I’ll stay away.’ Certainly from his perspective as a senator keeping as many seats as we can in the senate is a priority”.
Priebus, who was quick to declare Trump the presumptive nominee after the Manhattan mogul vanquished establishment’s last man standing Ted Cruz in IN on May 3, called it “great”, and “a good first step toward unifying our party”. He also has alarmed the Republican establishment with proposals including deporting millions of immigrants and barring Muslims from the country.
The presidential hopeful received a boost on Wednesday when a Reuters/Ipsos national poll showed him running even with likely Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton. Will the Republican Party likewise come to terms with the sexual revolution, marriage equality and climate change in the aftermath of the 2016 election?
For his part, Ryan must weigh the damage endorsing Trump might do to his standing as his party’s leading light on conservative policy, an image he has carefully cultivated for years.
Trump “recognized the impact of the presidential candidate on down-ballot races and said he looked forward to being helpful where he could”, according to a Senate Republican leader.
Priebus predicted Trump and Ryan’s relationship was “moving in a very good direction quickly” compared to last week when Ryan, the House Speaker, said he wasn’t ready to endorse Trump.
“This was our first meeting, but it was a very positive step toward unification”.
The two also issued a joint statement in which they pledged to work together to beat Clinton.
For once – Trump, though the center of attention, did not contribute to the political cacophony himself, contenting himself with the Ryan statement and a few Tweets. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) has indicated he’ll endorse Trump if he’s the nominee.
Ryan’s predecessor and Trump’s “texting buddy” John Boehner too signalled his support for the mogul though not his controversial policies saying, “Donald Trump is the nominee, whether people like it or not”.
“I was fortunate enough to win the Hispanic vote in 2014”.
“As much as I would like to please you, I will not give you a yes or no”, he said. “So until that happens, I think this is a moot point, I think this is something for sensationalism”. Orrin Hatch of Utah, adding they discussed the Supreme Court, an important issue for conservatives who’ve questioned whether they can trust Trump to appoint judges who would ratify their philosophy.
Lindsey Graham of SC, one of Trump’s harshest critics, told reporters that he spoke with Trump by telephone Wednesday.
Graham, R-S.C., described the billionaire as amusing and cordial and said he asked insightful questions about national security. Just this past Mother’s Day weekend, the NY businessman again raised eyebrows by saying that women “get it better than” men. “He obviously can take a punch”, said Graham. Cruz and his campaign had built up the Hoosier primary as a necessary victory if he hoped to stop Trump before the national convention.
Trump, in a black SUV, slipped from one GOP power center to another on his fence-mending mission made necessary by his outsider status in a city that embodies insiders.
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Trump was on his best behaviour as he met senior Republicans on Capitol Hill, listening carefully as they raised concerns about his policies and tone.
