If you read my May 6, post, “Much ado about nothing,” you will recall my expectation that the media would hype the House Speaker Paul Ryan and Donald Trump confrontation for all its worth, citing a “deepening fracture” in the GOP. It is underway.
Fox’s Sean Hannity joined Megyn Kelly in criticizing Ryan. Hannity, believing his opinion matters, said, “I’m not ready to support Speaker Ryan anymore,” and that, “I’m thinking maybe we need a new speaker.” Breaking news, Sean, your opinion doesn’t matter.
With all of the hype over the Ryan-Trump confrontation, I was reminded of this Mankoff cartoon of years ago.
Eric Bolling, co-host of “The Five” and host of “Cashin’ In” on Fox, where he has been a Trump cheerleader, also slammed Ryan for not jumping on the Trump train.
The liberal New York Times is doing its best to build the confrontation into a bitter fight. “Ryan-Trump Breach May Be Beyond Repair,” read its May 6, headline. And yesterday, columnist Maureen Dowd depicted the meeting of the two men in Saturday Night Live fashion, with Trump coming out the victor.
And speaking of going bonkers, Sarah Palin, a “wanna-be-someone,” says she will support Ryan’s opponent in Wisconsin, and predicts he will be lose his House seat in the manner of Eric Cantor. You will recall that Palin vigorously campaigned for Ted Cruz in his run for the U.S. Senate in Texas, but flipped for Trump when she saw Cruz slipping. Don’t ya love it?
Someone should inform her that Ryan’s favorability rating in Wisconsin is at 76 percent and has risen since becoming speaker; and remind her that Trump lost to Cruz by 13 percent in the Wisconsin primary.
I found it interesting that Trump advisor Paul Manafort’s remarks on the Ryan-Trump confrontation during an appearance on Fox News Sunday were measured and level-headed.
“I think what is required is that we unify this party,” said Manafort, “And I think the bulk of burden on unifying the party have (sic) to come from our presumptive nominee.”
While making it clear that it was Trump’s agenda that has “cemented as what the American people, or at least Republicans and independents who voted for him want … there will be a process. There will be a meeting of minds.”
If Trump’s comment on NBC’s Meet the Press today is a precursor, however, it isn’t likely he will cool his heels between now and Thursday’s meeting with Ryan. He led viewers to understand that he would not rule out an effort to remove Ryan as chairman of the Republican National Convention if he doesn’t endorse him, saying “there could be consequences.”
I’ll say what others are not. Trump needs Ryan.
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