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TRUMP’S POLITICAL MASTERSTROKE
Powerline ^ | August 8,2020 | BY PAUL MIRENGOFF

Posted on 08/08/2020 2:41:07 PM PDT by Hojczyk

President Trump says he will sign an Executive Order to ease the suffering of those harmed by the pandemic-related shutdowns and to stimulate the economy. Congress has failed to agree on a new package to accomplish these things.

Trump’s Executive Order would include these four components: (1) a payroll tax holiday until the end of the year, (2) an extension of enhanced unemployment benefits until the end of the year, (3) an extension of the eviction moratorium for federal subsidized housing, and (4) a suspension of student loan payments until further notice.

Questions surround the legality of accomplishing at least some of these things via executive order. Trump’s response to that might be, “so sue me.”

There are also questions about the fiscal impact of some of the measures, at least for those who still care about the national debt. In addition, there are questions about the efficacy of a payroll tax cut and the wisdom of extended generous unemployment benefits.

However, as a political matter, Trump’s move looks like a masterstroke. Since the days of FDR, the public has always seemed to approve of presidents who act to ameliorate suffering while Congress diddles. A flurry of activity, even of the futile or potentially counterproductive kind, makes a president look energetic and caring.

In this instance, Trump’s move might well force congressional Democrats to reach a deal. That outcome, too, would be a political win for the president.

(Excerpt) Read more at powerlineblog.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bloggers; debt; deficit; dsj03; medicare; powerlineblog; ssi; trumpeo
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1 posted on 08/08/2020 2:41:07 PM PDT by Hojczyk
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To: Hojczyk

YEAH BABY!
2 posted on 08/08/2020 2:43:35 PM PDT by moehoward
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To: Hojczyk

I love my STABLE GENIUS POTUS!!!

FOUR MORE YEARS!!!


3 posted on 08/08/2020 2:45:37 PM PDT by edie1960
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To: Hojczyk

I don’t think the President is concerned about a political masterstroke.

I believe he is doing what he truly believes is in the best interest of the American people.

Maybe I’m just a Pollyanna.


4 posted on 08/08/2020 2:46:01 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: Hojczyk

Well played indeed!


5 posted on 08/08/2020 2:46:58 PM PDT by freedumb2003 ("Do not mistake activity for achievement." - John Wooden)
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To: Hojczyk

Yep, this puts the Democrats in a bind.

Would Democrats really go find a judge, to issue an injunction, against the extension of unemployment, against moratorium on evictions, against payroll tax relief????


6 posted on 08/08/2020 2:47:43 PM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: Hojczyk

This is not a master stroke. It’s a huge mistake.

What he’s doing is completely illegal and will be knocked down in the courts. In the meantime, people and companies will be jerked around.

Americans do NOT want a King! Not even one who is doing things that we like. This was my biggest concern about Trump. And now, it’s trying to come true.


7 posted on 08/08/2020 2:48:10 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: Hojczyk

He did the right thing AND he won the chess game. I love how he put in a “poison pill.” If Biden gets elected, people will have to pay back thousands in deferred payroll taxes. Need to make sure everyone we know realizes that fact.


8 posted on 08/08/2020 2:48:14 PM PDT by StolarStorm
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To: BenLurkin

>>I don’t think the President is concerned about a political masterstroke.

I believe he is doing what he truly believes is in the best interest of the American people.<<

Not mutually exclusive.


9 posted on 08/08/2020 2:48:25 PM PDT by freedumb2003 ("Do not mistake activity for achievement." - John Wooden)
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To: BenLurkin

You’re a BenLurkin.....


10 posted on 08/08/2020 2:48:50 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Hojczyk
the public has always seemed to approve of presidents who act to ameliorate suffering while Congress diddles

And this is exactly why President Trump went this route instead of caving in to the demand of the dems that he sign off on their polluted HEROES act.
11 posted on 08/08/2020 2:49:16 PM PDT by Pox (Eff You China. Buy American!)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

Republicans will go find a judge... and they’ll win... in court


12 posted on 08/08/2020 2:49:25 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: SomeCallMeTim

If the dems sue to stop payments to the unemployed it will be a complete and utter disaster for them. Check mate.


13 posted on 08/08/2020 2:49:33 PM PDT by StolarStorm
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To: Dilbert San Diego

If they sue and win, the President will campaign that it is the Democrats who are against government aid to the Covid unemployed. If they lose, Trump will claim all the credit. If they come back to negotiate, they will have to cave.


14 posted on 08/08/2020 2:50:16 PM PDT by fhayek
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To: Dilbert San Diego

If they sue and win, the President will campaign that it is the Democrats who are against government aid to the Covid unemployed. If they lose, Trump will claim all the credit. If they come back to negotiate, they will have to cave.


15 posted on 08/08/2020 2:50:16 PM PDT by fhayek
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To: SomeCallMeTim

Agreed. If he can do this, the next Dem can do it too. We have an executive officer, not a monarch.


16 posted on 08/08/2020 2:50:57 PM PDT by linear (The truth brooks no arbiters.)
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To: SomeCallMeTim

“”What he’s doing is completely illegal and will be knocked down in the courts.”””

And it will be the democrats filing lawsuits. They can explain to the electorate why they couldn’t do these things themselves which is what they were elected to do.


17 posted on 08/08/2020 2:51:27 PM PDT by shelterguy
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To: Hojczyk

He’s doing this because he can’t get the ‘RATS to cease keeping the economy and schools closed to the maximum extent they possibly can.


18 posted on 08/08/2020 2:51:45 PM PDT by House Atreides
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To: SomeCallMeTim

if so, that will be the end of the GOP. Kaput.


19 posted on 08/08/2020 2:51:56 PM PDT by StolarStorm
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To: freedumb2003

I think these EOs are a distraction from something even bigger he’s cooking up. The enemedia will be focused on this for days, trying to rationalize how they can’t let Trump help the common man. Trump will be occupied with other matters.


20 posted on 08/08/2020 2:52:14 PM PDT by Tellurian (Liberty and Justice for All)
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