Posted on 10/03/2015 6:07:08 PM PDT by Shery
The week that was supposed to see multiple candidates drop out of the race for the Republican nomination saw none drop as all 15 candidates qualified for the South Carolina ballot by the September 30, 2015 deadline. For the first time in a long time, the media isn’t talking about a candidate that has dropped out.
Donald Trump appeared on “60 Minutes” in a wide-ranging interview. During that interview Trump came out with new policy positions, many of which raised eyebrows.
Will Lindsey Graham be the only U.S. Senator not on the stage at the CNBC debate at the end of October? The way it stands now, Graham has yet to garner above zero percent in any poll, so the answer is yes. CNBC released their debate criteria for their main debate and undercard debates. It states that any candidate who registers at least one percent in a national poll released by NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN or Bloomberg between September 17 and October 1 will qualify for a spot at one of the two CNBC debates. Additionally, any candidate with an average standing in those polls of 2.5% or higher will qualify for the main debate.
On Sunday, September 27, 2015, Donald Trump appeared on “60 Minutes” in a wide-ranging interview. During that interview Trump came out with new policy positions, many of which raised eyebrows. Most concerning to conservatives was a call for universal healthcare. Speaking of calling for universal healthcare, CR’s Chris Jacobs wrote about Carly Fiorina’s past support for a health insurance mandate.
In the midst of John Boehner’s resignation, and the House Leadership fight, CR’s Editors implored conservatives to consider the impact that Mitch McConnell has on the integrity of the Senate and made the case for why his “leadership” may cost Republicans that chamber. Meanwhile, some of CR’s contributors continued to focus on the presidential race. D.C. McAllister asked if Carly Fiorina could be trusted? Contributors covered Ted Cruz’s principled stand against the Washington Cartel, and Rand Paul’s support for the Cartel against Cruz. Finally, Ted Cruz wrote an op-ed with Alveda King on why defunding Planned Parenthood is so important.
Donald Trump released his tax plan this week to generally good reviews by conservatives, including CR’s Editor in Chief Mark Levin. The plan cuts the top income tax rate to 25%, with four brackets 0%, 10%, 20%, and 25%. It reduces corporate taxes to an internationally competitive 15%. Over half of Americans would have no income tax liability under Trump's plan.
This week, due to his hostility towards defunding Planned Parenthood on a must pass spending bill, Senator Graham’s rating on Moral Issues was downgraded to mixed. In addition due to his promises to Unions to not fight for “Right to Work” legislation, Kasich was downgraded to mixed on Taxes, Economy, & Trade.
Not only has Lindsey Graham opposed conservatives who have tried to defund Planned Parenthood, he missed the vote to fund it.
Here are the profile updates for the week:
Chris Christie
When the EPA finalized their rules on carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants last summer, 16 states joined a lawsuit to fight the regulations. Christie opted not to join the suit.
Ted Cruz
At the beginning of the George W. Bush administration Cruz served at the Federal Trade Commission where he fought for policies that stopped large companies from controlling the access of disruptive companies into e-commerce. Not only did Ted Cruz vote against funding Planned Parenthood, he tried to offer an amendment to strike the funding from the continuing resolution.
Carly Fiorina
Audio has surfaced of Carly Fiorina calling the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage the “law of the land” and said that she would “not support an amendment to overturn it. She told Sean Hannity, in stark contrast to her 2013 position, that she can’t understand those who fall back on the canard of “we must govern” instead of standing up for principles in regards to possible budget impasses. Fiorina has said the United States must be ready to use force against Russia in Syria if they attack our rebel allies.
Lindsey Graham
Not only has Lindsey Graham opposed conservatives who have tried to defund Planned Parenthood, he missed the vote to fund it.
Bobby Jindal
When the EPA finalized their rules on carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants last summer, 16 states joined a lawsuit to fight the regulations. Jindal was one of the governors who joined the suit.
John Kasich
When the EPA finalized their rules on carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants last summer, 16 states joined a lawsuit to fight the regulations. Kasich was one of the governors who joined the suit. During budget negotiations in Ohio, Kasich promised union leaders that he would fight any attempt to turn Ohio into a “Right to Work State.” Kasich voted, while in the House to end taxation of Social Security benefits. In his budget that saw personal income tax rates drop, Kasich raised the tax on gross commercial activity receipts from 0.26 percent to 0.3 percent.
Rand Paul
Rand Paul voted against the continuing resolution which funded Planned Parenthood, but was missing when it came time to second Ted Cruz’s amendment to receive a vote to remove the funding. He also took Mitch McConnell’s side in the fight and blamed Cruz.
Marco Rubio
Continuing a pattern of missing important votes in the Senate, as he runs for president, Rubio skipped the vote on the funding of Planned Parenthood. In addition, Rubio launched a Family Leave plan that would pay companies, via a tax credit, to provide paid family leave.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s appearance on “60 Minutes” gave conservatives a lot of insight into his policies. Here are the highlights that went into his profile: Trump said that he would use tariffs to fight a “fair war” on trade to keep jobs in the United States; Trump said he would allow ISIS to topple Assad then he would take out ISIS, Trump said that while he would repeal Obamacare he would replace it with a plan that sounds a lot like Obamacare with insurance exchanges and payments for low income health plans by the federal government; finally on the issue of Social Security, Trump wouldn’t enact reforms, but would force other countries to pay to save the system.
Outside of the “60 Minutes” interview Trump said that he would send any Syrian refugees allowed into the country by the Obama Administration back to Syria to protect the country from possible ISIS infiltrators, and that he backs the Renewable Fuel Mandate.
Robert Eno is the Director of Research for Conservative Review and also is a Contributor. He is a conservative from deep blue Massachusetts but now lives in Greenville, SC. He is also a fill in radio host and appears on television. Follow him @robeno and feel free to email him at reno@conservativereview.com.
I'd also add that Carly said that she would not attack Hillary. Does that sound familiar? Another Romney acolyte? Of course, she's given LOTS of money to Hillary in one way or another. She's compromised badly. She does well in the debates, yes, but we need someone who can lead, not just give good speeches. Her leadership roles are under heavy dispute, and not just from disgruntled shareholders and former underlings. I pray that people wake up to see that she is NO conservative, will not take on Hillary in any meaningful way, and cannot be trusted. Somehow I think this will fall on deaf ears.
McConnell must go. His positions and “leadership” are demoralizing,
and, on a personal note, we are sick of looking at his creepy face.
It’s hard to imagine what difference it would make. He is a better Democrat than most.
Their are many traitors in the GOPe. FioRINO is one of ‘em.
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