Republican Donald Trump took steps to steer his White House campaign back into favour with his party on Friday with reported plans to endorse US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan after expressing coolness towards him earlier this week.
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“I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make”, Mr Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, in northern Wisconsin, Mr Ryan’s home state.
“He’s a good man”, Trump said about Ryan.
“This is one of the most important elections in my lifetime”, Trump said at Friday’s rally in Green Bay. “I also fully support and endorse Sen.
She is such a weak candidate that one would think that we would be on offense against Hillary Clinton, and it is distressing that that’s not what we’re talking about these days”.
Ryan’s team appeared unaware Friday afternoon about the imminent endorsement as early news reports that Trump was considering doing so began circulating.
Ryan will face his underdog challenger Paul Nehlen in Wisconsin primary on Tuesday.
“John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office, and I fully support and endorse his re-election”, said Trump, before backing Ayotte.
“Given his stature as our party’s official nominee, Mr. Trump’s decision to support the Republican Speaker is appropriate and is a display of true leadership”, Nehlen stated. Kelly Ayotte, with whom he has sparred.
In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday, Mrs Clinton’s lead over Mr Trump narrowed to less than 3 percentage points, down from almost 8 points on Monday. “And we may disagree on a couple of things but mostly we agree and we’re going to get it done”. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte in their re-election primary races, citing the need for Republican unity and capping a tumultuous week that saw the presidential nominee and running mate Mike Pence split on their support for the House Republican leader. Wisconsin’s Republican primary is on Tuesday. “He’s not a war hero”, Trump said then.
“The only endorsement that I want are those of my own employers here in the first congressional district”, Ryan said Thursday. We need very strong leadership.
He said in the same interview that Mr McCain had not done enough for veterans and criticized Ms Ayotte for distancing herself from him during the campaign.
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Speaking to Republicans at the Kenosha County GOP headquarters, 5901 75th St., Ryan brushed off the sudden national media attention Trump has brought to his primary race against Nehlen.
