Only a year or so ago someone would react the same way you did if you claimed Paul Ryan or Scott Walker were RINOs and we ALL know that they are. Jeff Sessions is today’s conservative darling (not sure why really as I can see through the veneer) only time will tell and then Freepers will be saying they never liked him. Is there any discernible difference between a Mike Pence and a Jeff Sessions? To me they seem like a distinction without a difference.
I never had that opinion of Ryan, whom I consider a RINO and the epitome of the GOPe. Walker's true colors were revealed during the presidential campaign.
we ALL know that they are. Jeff Sessions is today’s conservative darling (not sure why really as I can see through the veneer) only time will tell and then Freepers will be saying they never liked him.
That will never be me. I have worked with Senator Sessions and his office on the issue of immigration for nearly ten years as a member of a grassroots organization that lobbies on the Hill. Jeff Sessions is a man of character, integrity, and principle. His constituents know that and so do the Dems, which is why Sessions ran unopposed by the Dems in his last reelection bid.
The Dems fought his nomination to AG viciously despite being a member of the Senate club. When the Reps took over the senate, McConnell and the GOPe screwed Sessions in committee chairman assignments. He has been a thorn in the side of the GOPe.
In the short time that Sessions has been AG, he has taken many actions that fulfill the promises and positions he has taken on law enforcement and immigration.
I supported Trump from the day he came down that escalator because of his positions on immigration and trade. Those positions come from one of the best political templates for victory ever written by a Rep. I am referring to the seminal, brilliant piece that Sessions wrote in March 13, 2014, i.e., Becoming the Party of Work--How the GOP can help struggling Americans, and itself. It should be required reading for every Rep candidate seeking elective office. Trump obviously read it, which is why he won.
The transfer of Steve Miller from the Sessions senate staff to the Trump campaign early on even before Sessions endorsed Trump was the harbinger of things to come. Steve wrote Trump's campaign position papers on immigration and trade. As a side note, he also was the main author of Trump's speech in Riyadh.
Trump is not a conservative. He will take actions that you and I might not like, but overall he is doing more conservative things than Bush 41 or 43. As long as Sessions and Miller remain in place and Kris Kobach enjoys an advisor role, I couldn't be happier, especially considering the alternative. Trump has learned from Sessions that the way to break the Dem dominance, i.e., the Dems have won the popular vote in 6 out of the last 7 elections, is to go after their traditional constituencies using the protection of American workers and jobs. Immigration and trade provide the tools to do that.
If Trump were ever to remove Sessions or Miller, he would lose me. This is why I totally disagree with your assessment of Sessions based on my personal and professional assessment of him. He is the indispensable man for me.
Is there any discernible difference between a Mike Pence and a Jeff Sessions? To me they seem like a distinction without a difference.
Immigration is one issue where there is a major difference. Pence's "touchback amnesty" is an example. That said, I think Pence and Sessions are loyal to the President. And I am not going to allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. The GOP needs to unite and develop a consensus on policy to take advantage of their current control over Congress and the WH. It is a rare opportunity to reverse what is going on. The current circular firing squad led by McCain, Graham, Flake, and Sasse is sure to make the GOP the permanent minority party.