Free Republic

“Many of our fellow citizens feel alienated and have lost faith in our core institutions. They don’t feel heard, and they don’t feel represented by those in office. But Donald Trump heard a voice out in this country that no one else heard.” House Speaker Paul Ryan spoke those words Wednesday, a day after Trump’s momentous upset victory in the presidential election. But the speaker is wrong to suggest Trump heard a voice no one else did, contends Paul Nehlen, the man who challenged Ryan in his GOP congressional primary this year. “We’ve all been screaming it,” Nehlen told WND...

Administrators at the University of Pennsylvania reportedly provided students upset over the results of Tuesday’s presidential election with emotional support puppies, coloring books, and chocolate. . . . “Some professors turned Wednesday’s classes into ‘safe spaces’ in which students could freely express their concerns for their futures. On a campus that voted 3612-375 in favor of Hillary Clinton, these open forums were naturally dominated by anti-Trump voices.” “Obviously the diversity at Penn is not diversity of opinion since the opinion of almost half the country is almost unaccounted for on campus,” Tancredi claimed. “I’m also worried for my fellow students....

A private conference call Thursday with Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, communications director Jennifer Palmieri and other aides addressed what Ms. Palmieri called “the most devastating loss in the history of American politics,” The Hill reported Thursday. . . . “The media always covered [Mrs. Clinton] as the person who would be president and therefore tried to eviscerate her before the election, but covered Trump who was someone who was entertaining and sort of gave him a pass,” Mr. Podesta said. “We need to reflect and analyze that and put our voices forward.”

The Indiana governor and former congressman took a leap of faith when he accepted Mr. Trump’s invitation to be his running mate. Now conservatives say that as the experienced Capitol Hill hand serving a president who has never held elected office before, Mr. Pence is positioned to be one of the most influential vice presidents in history. . . . “I think he will be there as a steady, faithful partner to Donald Trump, bring his experience from being a House member and as a governor into the room and share with him, ‘Here is how we really make work...

“People are frustrated, people are just really sad and shocked,” said Trey Boynton, the director of multi-ethnic student affairs at the University of Michigan. “A lot of people are feeling like there has been a loss. We talked about grief today and about the loss of hope that this election would solidify the progress that was being made.” There was a steady flow of students entering Ms. Boynton’s office Wednesday. They spent the day sprawled around the center, playing with Play-Doh and coloring in coloring books, as they sought comfort and distraction.

Loser: Mitt Romney, maybe the biggest next to Hillary. Had a temper tantrum about Trump, who then proceeded to carry Mitt’s real home state, Michigan, something Romney could never come close to doing in 2012. Who’s yo’ daddy, Willard? . . . Losers: Libertarian ticket of Gary Johnson and Bill Weld. Started the campaign as “respected” former GOP governors, ended as wasted, beclowned cheerleaders for the most corrupt major-party presidential candidate in U.S. history.

President Obama has not changed his view that President-elect Donald Trump is "uniquely unqualified" to hold the office of the presidency, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday. "The president's views haven't changed. He stands by the argument he made on the campaign trail," Earnest told reporters Thursday.

France’s Foreign Minister said Wednesday Europe must not flinch in protecting European interests from President-elect Donald Trump. “We have to meet the challenge for a Europe that must be able to better defend its citizens and its interests,” French Foreign Minsiter Jean-Marc Ayrault told French media. Ayrault called Trump’s statements on foreign policy “confused” and shocking to traditional U.S. allies.

“Barbara and I congratulate @realDonaldTrump, wish him well as he guides America forward as our next President,” wrote H.W. on Twitter. “His family is in our prayers.” “Congratulations on your victory @realDonaldTrump,” wrote Jeb. “As our President, Columba and I will pray for you in the days and months to come.”

NEW YORK — Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine on Wednesday praised Hillary Clinton and her candidacy in introductory remarks for his running mate in New York. Kaine, speaking before campaign staffers and supporters, noted Clinton’s historic candidacy as the first female major party nominee and said she had won the popular vote. “I’m proud of Hillary, because she loves this country,” said Kaine, who had tears in his eyes.

Even more than in 1980, the media this year was in the tank for the Democrats. That crazy, racist and fringe tea party movement had been put in its place, dismissed as consisting of little more than a bunch of elderly ignoramuses not even worth mentioning as everyone prepared to coronate Mrs. Clinton. Less idealistic about how long it would take to change the country, tea party activists had gone to work, joining with others who distrusted pollsters and do not answer surveys.

Ricardo Rosselló with the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (PNP) was elected Governor of Puerto Rico during yesterday’s general elections. With 97% of the island’s polling stations reporting, Rosselló (the son of former Governor Pedro Rosselló) received 41.76% of the vote compared to 38.93% for former Secretary of State and pro-Commonwealth Popular Democratic Party (PPD) candidate David Bernier. According to additional information posted on the Commonwealth Elections Commission website this morning, Rosselló carried 46 of the island’s 78 municipalities, Bernier carried 23, and the remaining 9 were not yet called due to a 0.5% or less difference between the two candidates....

BOSTON (CBS) – Mitt Romney, a critic of Donald Trump who came up short in his own campaign for president, is wishing Trump well after his surprise victory. “Best wishes for our duly elected president: May his victory speech be his guide and preserving the Republic his aim,” Romney tweeted Wednesday morning.

Likewise, millions of blue-collar voters who have been sacrificed for political gain by establishment-approved politicians in both parties made their voices heard. Political correctness was thrown out the window, the GOP's slide towards amnesty was halted and corrupt partnerships between big government and big business were put on notice. Second, it's about time the chattering class was knocked off its perch. People who add no value to the nation's economy and spend most of their time denigrating Americans as stupid and unable to function without a nanny government were sent reeling. The American people were heard loud and clear, throwing...

Washington's #NeverTrump Republicans have set an Election Day victory party to cheer the GOP nominee's defeat, they hope. In a Facebook post, the group said it would meet at Lincoln, about four blocks from the White House. . . .Please join your fellow #NeverTrump Republicans (and some friends from across the aisle) on election night to celebrate the end of this historically-awful campaign season and the electoral repudiation of Donald Trump and all he represents.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ohio Gov. John Kasich will move quickly this week to assert himself as a major political figure as the Republican Party looks to move past Donald Trump. ... In the address, Kasich will outline his vision for the future of the country and party.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., called Donald Trump early Wednesday morning, according to an aide, who said he "congratulated Trump on his big night." The aide said Trump and Ryan, "had a very good conversation." Ryan also spoke with GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence, a former House GOP leader. Ryan endorsed Trump earlier this year but had been estranged from the Trump campaign following a leaked video from 2005 that showed Trump making lewd comments about women.

Despite a palpable buzz in the air at the start of the evening, the crowd grew quiet as the swing states of North Carolina and Florida went to the Republican presidential nominee. Michigan, New Hampshire and Wisconsin all look as though they could swing for Trump, as well. “I feel nauseous,” one top campaign official for Clinton told PEOPLE before slipping behind a black curtain beyond which reporters were barred.

TRUMP WINS IN HISTORIC UPRISING...