good karma will follow your donation to free republic
oops
Posted on 01/28/2016 2:41:27 PM PST by AuntB
GILBERT -- Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster shook up the Republican establishment -- and his close ally, Gov. Nikki Haley -- by making a move few saw coming: endorsing Donald Trump for president.
"He's a man of action," McMaster said of Trump. "He speaks in words that everybody understands. It's a delightful thing to see."
McMaster is the highest ranking state officer in the U.S. to endorse Trump. He's also one of South Carolina's biggest so-called "establishment" leaders, having chaired the state Republican Party for nine years.
McMaster introduced Trump during his campaign rally Wednesday at the Harmon Tree Farm in Lexington County before an overflowing crowd. Staffers said they estimated nearly 4,000 people showed up to for the rally, but only about one-fourth of them made into the barn where the event was held.
Trump has something that makes him different, McMaster said, something people have been waiting for.
"He has a love for the people of this country," McMaster said. "The strength and the determination to get the job done, and that's what we need right now."
Trump welcomed the endorsement of South Carolina's second-in-command, touting the support he's received from Republican voters in the nation's first the South primary state.
"I'm proud to have Henry and his wife, Peggy, join the team," Trump said. "The people of South Carolina are amazing and I continue to lead all state polls by wide, double-digit margins."
McMaster's endorsement is a significant break from Haley, who made national headlines with her GOP response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address two weeks ago by saying the country should avoid the temptations "to follow the siren call of the angriest voices." She later confirmed the comment was a swipe at the type of political rhetoric of some candidates, including Trump, who had called on temporarily banning Muslims from entering the U.S. because of terror threats.
Hours before McMaster announced his backing of Trump, Haley stressed to reporters Wednesday that she was also referencing groups that rioted in Baltimore and many more "angry voices."
"I think that Mr. Trump is continuing to push through his candidacy," Haley said. "And just continuing to move forward. All we ask is that everybody stay civil and respectful."
Haley would not say if or when she plans to endorse a presidential candidate. In 2012, Haley endorsed Mitt Romney, but she said she made her decision in a week's time.
During Wednesday's rally, Trump argued that while critics are going after his angry tone, people are getting killed in the Middle East. He covered a wide variety of subjects -- as he usually does during his stops -- ranging from building a wall at the Southern border with Mexico to how his closest rival in the polls, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, was born in Canada.
Trump also touted the endorsement of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and several others. Palin has yet to visit South Carolina since the announcement, but Palin has visited previously having endorsed Haley for governor in 2010.
Though Trump announced he would be boycotting Thursday's GOP debate before the Iowa caucuses, he made no mention of the decision Wednesday night. He's expected to instead hold a fundraising event for wounded troops.
On the eve of the final debate before Iowa voters weigh in, Trump refused to back off his decision to boycott the prime-time faceoff. His campaign insisted that debate host Fox News crossed a line with a sarcastic statement mocking him and continued to criticize moderator Megyn Kelly. In turn, Fox accused Trump's camp of trying to terrorize its employees.
"They think they can toy with Mr. Trump," campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said Wednesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "Mr. Trump doesn't play games."
Trump reiterated his plans to skip the debate in an interview Wednesday on Fox News, saying, "I just don't like being used."
Before ending his 40-minute speech, Trump said he was ready to win Iowa and New Hampshire so that he can move on to South Carolina. Trump said jokingly that his voters would be tell him they can't stand him because he'd be in the Palmetto State so often during the week leading up to the Feb. 20 primary.
"We are going to do something that is going to be so special," Trump said. "We are going to start winning so much."
McMaster's endorsement, as the first from a statewide office-holder, could carry dividends, possibly creating cover for other elected or established Republicans to side with Trump. McMaster is the state's former Attorney General and a previous U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, appointed by President Ronald Reagan.
ALSO...suit #3
A Utah man has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Ted Cruz’s eligibility to run for president over the senator’s Canadian birthplace.
http://linkis.com/www.ksl.com/4yLf1
McMaster is under indictment for 51 counts of campaign finance violations. He defrauded donors to pay off his campaign debt. Seems like the perfect person to endorse Trump.
How ‘bout that....one to match Cruz’s big donor under investigation.....not to mention those ‘loans’ he has so much trouble finding.
Meet Ted Cruz’s Tax-Dodging Sugar Daddy - http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/10/meet-ted-cruz-s-tax-dodging-sugar-daddy.html
Good Going Aunt B!!!
GO.TRUMP.GO!!!
Maybe he can get some loans from Goldman Sachs?
McMaster is under indictment for 51 counts of campaign finance violations.
Speaking of campaign violations: when should be expect Cruz to correct his false FEC documents?
Maybe he can get some loans from Goldman Sachs?
Or some campaign payola from Goldman Sachs. I’d like to see proof Cruz paid off his million dollar loans from personal funds. He won’t be providing that of course.
Thank you!
I am with Trump his campaign paid it off with Interst
thanks for the ping!
Woohoo! GO TRUMP GO!
You know who McMaster endorsed last time? Huntsman. Just saying.
LOL?
He is going for a winner this time. An American Patriot who loves America. He learned his lesson after last endorsement to take it seriously.
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