Donald Trump throws full support behind Roy Moore
President Donald Trump on Monday formally threw his full support behind Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, following weeks of defending him against sexual misconduct allegations and making attacks on his Democratic opponent Doug Jones. Early Monday morning, Trump tweeted his endorsement of Moore: “Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama. We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more. No to Jones, a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet!” Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama. We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more. No to Jones, a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2017 According to the Moore campaign, Trump also called the Senate hopeful from Air Force One and expressed “his enthusiastic support for Judge Moore’s candidacy. “ Moore’s campaign later announced the endorsement via Twitter, saying Trump “offered his full support and said he needs a fighter to help him in the US Senate.” “Go get ’em, Roy!” – President Trump Just got off the phone with President Trump who offered his full support and said he needs a fighter to help him in the US Senate. I look forward to fighting alongside the President to #MAGA! — Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) December 4, 2017 A White House official confirmed the call between the President and Moore. “The President had a positive call with Judge Roy Moore during which they discussed the state of the Alabama Senate race and the President endorsed Judge Moore’s campaign,” said White House principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah. Moore said he’s honored to have received Trump’s endorsement. “I am honored to receive the support and endorsement of President Donald Trump,” Moore said Monday morning. “President Trump knows that the future of his conservative agenda in Congress hinges on this election. I look forward to fighting alongside the President to strengthen our military, secure our border, protect our gun rights, defend the sanctity of life, and confirm conservative judges to courts around this nation. We had a good conversation over the phone today and are working together towards conservative victory on December 12.” Moore faces Jones in a special election on Dec. 12.
Jim Zeigler throws support behind Roy Moore for US Senate
State Auditor Jim Zeigler on Friday announced his endorsement of former Chief Justice Roy Moore for U.S. Senate in the Sept. 26 runoff election. Moore takes on appointed-incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in next month’s runoff following an Aug. 15 primary in which neither candidate earned the necessary 50 plus one percent of the vote to outright secure the Republican Party’s nomination. “The contrast is clear between Bentley-appointed senator Strange and future senator Roy Moore,” Zeigler said in a news release. “Strange is in lock-step with the Washington Insiders who own his campaign funding. Roy Moore will be committed to Alabama citizens, the Constitution, and the values on which America was founded.” Zeigler’s endorsement comes as little surprise as he’s long spoken out against Strange and his February appointment to the U.S. Senate by former Gov. Robert Bentley. He’s taken to social media to release information against Strange on a near daily bases. “Luther Strange obstructed the impeachment process of then-governor Robert Bentley,” Zeigler added. “The people of Alabama have the final say in this senate seat. I believe the voters will rise up and reject Bentley-appointed Senator Strange in favor of a people’s-elected Senator Roy Moore.” Moore led the crowded Aug. 15 primary with 39 percent of the vote, vs. Strange’s 32 percent. The winner of the runoff will go on to face Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 general election.
Sarah Palin backs Roy Moore in Alabama Senate race
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed U.S. Senate hopeful Roy Moore on Thursday a month ahead of his primary runoff with incumbent U.S. Sen. Luther Strange. “Glad he’s running and am honored to endorse Judge Roy Moore for the US Senate,” Palin said in a statement. “Judge Moore has shown he has what it takes to stand up to the out-of-touch political establishment.” “The Judge has proven he’s not afraid of a fight for what is right, and he’s ready to take on DC’s swamp monsters and make America great again. We need more bold leaders like Judge Moore who will fight for all of us in the US senate,” Palin added. The former Ala. Chief Justice responded to the endorsement by thanking Palin. “I am honored to have the endorsement of Governor Sarah Palin,” said Moore. “Governor Palin has a strong record of speaking out for conservative causes and standing up to the Washington establishment. Having her support shows how conservatives across the country are uniting behind our campaign to send a message to Mitch McConnell and the Washington elites who are trying to buy this election.” Strange and Moore are headed to a Republican primary runoff on Sept. 26 to fill the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The winner will go on to the Dec.12 general election.
Donald Trump turns national attention to Ala. Senate election, endorses Luther Strange
His tweets have the power to dominate a news cycle (covfefe anyone?), to send stock prices soaring — or falling — and to energize the American people behind his policy goals. Yet during primetime Tuesday night, President Donald Trump used his favorite social media platform to turn the attention of the nation somewhere wholly unexpected — to Alabama’s U.S. Senate race. In a surprise move, Trump took Twitter and endorsed Alabama Sen. Luther Strange, a week ahead of the state’s Aug. 15 primary. “Senator Luther Strange has done a great job representing the people of the Great State of Alabama. He has my complete and total endorsement!,” Trump tweeted. Senator Luther Strange has done a great job representing the people of the Great State of Alabama. He has my complete and total endorsement! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 9, 2017 Strange was appointed to the seat in February by former Gov. Robert Bentley following the confirmation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is currently serving as a temporary Senate appointment. He is competing to fill out the remainder of Sessions’ 6-year term through 2020. “I am so deeply honored and humbled to receive the endorsement and support of our President, Donald Trump,” Strange said of the endorsement. “It is an honor to work hard beside him to deliver upon his promises to the American people. Together, we will continue efforts to fill our courts with conservative judges, repeal Obamacare, offer tax relief to hard working Americans, lift this heavy burden of government regulations, rebuild our military and build that wall on our southern border.” Strange continued, “Our country stood upon a precipice last November, but the American voters spoke out loud and clear, tired of a stagnant economy, political correctness and politicians who don’t listen. President Trump’s election and hard work has given millions of people hope again and I’m proud to stand beside him to make America great again.” It was a big day of endorsements for Strange. The president’s tweet came just hours after the sitting senator picked up the endorsement of Vestavia Hills-Republican state Rep. Jim Carns, co-chair of Trump’s Alabama campaign. Strange takes on 10 Republican challengers in the Republican primary including former Ala. Chief Justice Roy Moore and Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks — arguably his top two competitors. If no candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will take place Sept. 26, with the general election scheduled for Dec. 12.
Sean Hannity endorses Mo Brooks for Alabama U.S. Senate seat
Fox News’ Sean Hannity tweeted his endorsement of Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks‘ Senate bid on Thursday. Hannity, an avid supporter of President Donald Trump, singled Brooks out from a crowded GOP field saying, “Mo Brooks will support Pres.Trump’s America 1st agenda, he is a proven conservative we need in the Senate. Support @RepMoBrooks 4 Senate.” Mo Brooks will support Pres.Trump’s America 1st agenda, he is a proven conservative we need in the Senate. Support @RepMoBrooks 4 Senate. — Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) June 8, 2017 Hannity is one of the most prominent and influential conservative voices in the country, hosting The Sean Hannity Show, a talk radio show that is syndicated to more than 500 stations and heard in all of the top 50 markets and has a loyal listenership of 13.5 million. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity, on Fox News Channel. Hannity’s endorsement follows the endorsements of other leading conservative thought leaders Brooks has picked up in recent weeks, including Laura Ingraham and Mark Levin. “With endorsements from leading national conservatives rolling in, my campaign is continuing to build momentum,” said Brooks. “Sean Hannity has carried the torch of conservatism for decades, and I’m proud to have his endorsement in this election.”
Campaign stop latest bump in rocky Paul Ryan-Donald Trump relationship
It’s long been clear that House Speaker Paul Ryan is, shall we say, not wholly comfortable with Donald Trump‘s presidential candidacy. The announcement of Ryan’s and Trump’s first joint appearance of the campaign on Saturday in Wisconsin – just four weeks before the election – was simply the latest reminder. The awkwardly worded missive on Thursday said that Ryan would appear with top Wisconsin Republicans, including Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Ron Johnson. Oh, and by the way, the third paragraph of Ryan’s release says that Trump “will also join Wisconsin Republicans” at the annual party festival in Elkhorn, a small city in Ryan’s congressional district. In the news business, that’s known as “burying the lead.” The announcement also doesn’t say that Ryan is actually campaigning for Trump, just that they are appearing at the same event. Asked Thursday why he hasn’t appeared with Trump, Ryan said: “I’ve been busy doing my job.” “I want to win up and down the ballot, but my primary responsibility is re-election of House Republicans,” Ryan said during a brief interview after appearing at a campaign stop for GOP House candidate Lloyd Smucker, who is expected to win an open GOP seat in a district near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. — A recap of the greatest hits of the awkward Trump-Ryan relationship: NO ENDORSEMENT (RYAN) Jaws dropped in May when Ryan withheld his endorsement of Trump just days after the billionaire businessman effectively clinched the nomination. “I’m just not ready to do that at this point. I’m not there right now,” the Wisconsin Republican said on CNN. Ryan came on board the Trump train a month later: “It’s no secret that he and I have our differences. I won’t pretend otherwise. … But the reality is, on the issues that make up our agenda, we have more common ground than disagreement.” NO ENDORSEMENT (TRUMP) Even after Ryan endorsed him, Trump declined to return the favor as Ryan faced a tea party primary challenge from Paul Nehlen. Trump even praised Nehlen, saying he was running “a very good campaign” and telling The Washington Post, “I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country” and “I’m just not quite there yet. I’m not quite there yet.” Days later, Trump endorsed both Ryan and GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona. MUSLIM BAN Ryan joined a chorus of Republicans last December and again this summer in condemning Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S. “This is not who we are as a party or a country,” Ryan told fellow House Republicans in a December closed-door meeting. When Trump reiterated the call for a ban in June, Ryan said: “I do not think a Muslim ban is in our country’s interest. I don’t think it is reflective of our principles, not just as a party but as a country.” ATTACKING A JUDGE Immediately after endorsing Trump, Ryan weighed in to criticize him for saying a federal judge of Mexican-American heritage was biased against him in a lawsuit involving Trump University. Ryan said Trump’s comments were “the textbook definition of a racist comment.” ATTACKING A GRIEVING FATHER When Khizr Khan, a Muslim-American whose son Humayun Khan died while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, criticized Trump during the Democratic National Convention in July, Trump went on the attack. Ryan was among those who rebuked Trump and used the occasion to say again that a Muslim ban would be a mistake. “Many Muslim-Americans have served valiantly in our military, and made the ultimate sacrifice. Capt. Khan was one such brave example. His sacrifice – and that of Khizr and (Khan’s wife) Ghazala Khan – should always be honored. Period.” TRUMP’S TAXES As the GOP’s vice presidential nominee in 2012, Ryan released his tax returns. In September, he urged Trump to release his. “I released mine. I think we should release ours,’ Ryan said, referring to GOP nominees. “I’ll leave it to him when to do it.” DAVID DUKE AND THE KLAN When Trump in February declined to condemn the Ku Klux Klan or decline the endorsement of former Klansman David Duke, Ryan joined a chorus of outraged establishment Republicans. “If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games,” Ryan said. “They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry.” RYAN’S BUDGET In a South Carolina campaign event in February, Trump repeated his opinion that Ryan’s budget plan, which called for sharply curbing benefit programs like Medicare, helped cost Republicans the 2012 election. “That was the end of that campaign, by the way, when they chose Ryan,” Trump said. IF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE… Ryan typically rebukes Trump when he says something especially egregious and over the top. He stays out of smaller controversies like Trump’s proposal for paid maternity leave, a plan that defies GOP orthodoxy. And he declined to weigh in on Trump’s emphasis on police “stop and frisk” tactics as a way to improve race relations. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Richard Shelby lands coveted endorsement from National Rifle Association
Incumbent Richard Shelby has gained the coveted endorsement of the influential National Rifle Association (NRA) in his re-election campaign to the U.S. Senate in the March 1 Republican primary. Composed of over 5 million members, the NRA is the largest association of gun rights advocates in the country. “Based on your leadership on Second Amendment issues in the U.S. Senate, you have earned the highest attainable rating, an ‘A+’, from the NRA in the March 1st Republican Primary,” reads the NRA’s endorsement. “And ‘A+’ is reserved for ‘legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.” The organization also made note that Shelby has championed National Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation, has been a strong leader in opposing the unconstitutional United Nations Arm Trade Treaty, cosponsored and voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and has fought President Barack Obama‘s Supreme Court nominees. “It has been an honor and privilege to work with our country’s oldest and largest defender of Second Amendment rights throughout my tenure in the Senate,” Shelby said in response to the endorsement. “Earning and maintaining the trust of the NRA and its members is critical to my ability to serve the people of Alabama. Receiving recognition for my staunch support of the right to keep and bear arms by their board at the annual meeting this year was among one of the proudest moments that I have had as a public servant.” Shelby said, “Not all of the battles that I’ve engaged in Congress with the NRA at my side are high-profile. We’ve done so much work over the years to override regulations and prevent rogue administrations like this one from using bureaucracy to create registries of gun owners and harass firearms manufacturers, sportsmen, and gun enthusiasts alike. These efforts don’t always grab headlines, but keep the Second Amendment as strong in practice as it is on parchment. “The events of recent weeks demonstrate that the President, his Attorney General, Hillary Clinton, and other politicians would rather push their gun control agenda aimed at disarming law-abiding Americans rather than fight or acknowledge the real security issues facing this nation. We need the National Rifle Association and its members now more than ever, and I’m proud to be their partner. As a sportsman, gun owner, and citizen, I’m honored by their endorsement and support.”
