Trump’s attacks on Martinez should alarm the GOP

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | May 26, 2016 | James Hohmann

[CedarDave]

During a 65-minute speech in Albuquerque on Tuesday night, Donald Trump laced into New Mexico Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

He blamed her for the state’s economic problems, for the growing number of food stamp recipients and for not doing more to reject Syrian refugees. The billionaire even mused about moving to the state to run for governor himself.

“She’s got to do a better job,” Trump told thousands of supporters, per The Washington Post’s Jenna Johnson. “She’s not doing the job. We’ve got to get her moving. Come on: Let’s go, governor.”

Martinez’s press secretary, Mike Lonergan, responded with a blistering statement: “Apparently, Donald Trump doesn’t realize Governor Martinez wasn’t elected in 2000, that she has fought for welfare reform, and has strongly opposed the President’s Syrian refugee plan. But the pot shots weren’t about policy, they were about politics. And the Governor will not be bullied into supporting a candidate . . . Governor Martinez doesn’t care about what Donald Trump says about her – she cares about what he says he will do to help New Mexicans. She didn’t hear anything about that today.”

...snip...

Privately, she’s been more critical. At a fundraiser in the Palm Beach mansion of billionaire David Koch last month, a donor asked about Trump. Martinez acknowledged being deeply offended by Trump’s language about immigrants. “Noting her years working as a prosecutor on the Mexican border and now as a border-state governor, Martinez said Trump’s plan to build a wall and force Mexico to pay for it was unrealistic and irresponsible,” sources told The Post’s Matea Gold and Philip Rucker afterward.

Trump was obviously irked by these and other comments, which is the only plausible explanation for why he went after Martinez.

[CedarDave]

The article goes on to list seven reasons why the comments by Trump may be a problem. She's Latina, a female governor (and head of the Republican Governor's Association); Republicans need the votes of both of these groups. According to the author, after listing the seven problems including continued attacks on Republican's not yet on board with his win, all of them spell trouble ahead.

My own opinion is that Trump will be Trump and nothing anyone says or does will cause him to change his style or tone down his rhetoric. My hope is that Trump's leadership and forceful manner in other areas plus other circumstances (Hillary's problems and Bernie's nipping at her cankles) will drive the electorate to overlook Trump's negatives.

[CedarDave]

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[JennysCool]

Such heartfelt "concern" from the Albuquerque Journal.

[CedarDave]

The article’s author is from the Washington Post.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Martinez is a total establishment go along.

[TexasCruzin]

What Trump said was the unvarnished truth. Nothing more, nothing less. If that bothers anyone, too bad. Trump is just giving back as he always does.

[DarthVader]

Also the NM government did not do such a great job stopping the commie protests.

[Snowybear]

Makes sense. WP hates Trump.

Fact is Martinez hit Trump first. Nobody should be surprised at what happened next if they’d been paying attention.

Haters pay attention but don’t care, which explains anything out of the WP or the NYT.

[JohnKinAK]

Good for him for calling out the RINOs! Imagine him having the bully pulpit of the Oval Office to shame the RINOs!!!

[fireman15]

So the gist is she is Hispanic and a woman so she is off-limits. They don’t seem to get that Trump is the Honey Badger of the political world, and the “Honey Badger don’t care”.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

she disrespected the Republican nominee for President just before he was to appear in her state,, she got what was coming to her.. and from what I hear she isn’t a very good Governor..

[ladyjane]

The establishment Republicans have trashed Trump and now they are offended when he criticizes one of them. LOL

[JennysCool]

Same thing. :)

It’s just amazing how all these newspapers every election season discover all the things that the GOP should be “concerned,” “alarmed,” and “troubled” by. Almost never do we hear what should “concern” the Democrats.

[Vigilanteman]

Trump being Trump is what gets him all the free publicity.

The news media runs with the story as if to say to the sheeple "Do you REALLY want to elect this loose cannon yahoo!"

And a lot of the sheeple respond "He's our yahoo and a lot better than your hand-picked looter!"

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

At a fundraiser in the Palm Beach mansion of billionaire David Koch last month

Yep, she really cares about New Mexicans. Just another GOPe hack upset that her apple cart is getting upended.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Any politician who does not stand with the citizens of the US and the rule of law deserves criticism.
We should not abandon the rule of law to “win”.
Pandering to “latinos” that includes any accomodation to illegal aliens is national suicide.

If we refuse to stand for up for our country, others will gladly take it from us.

[rovenstinez]

JUST came through New Mexico, Bandelier National Park, and Santa Fe. Saw a lo lot of slaves, to the INDIAN reservations, people in low income housing, all on food stamps. Something must be done, and Susan Martinez isn;t getting people to be self sustaining. Go Trump.

[wardaddy]

Weren’t you a not for Trump guy before?

I did not keep an enemies list but perspective now is useful

[PGR88]

Stupid small-town newspaper progs still think Trump should follow the old script - pander to so-called representatives of women, latinos, or every group they have identified.

And then lose election because you have no message, and identity voters will not vote for a Republican anyway.

[waud]

Hillary and her goons would make quick work of Martinez.....the only real national exposure she’s had was a drunken confrontation with staff & police in a New Mexico hotel last December.

Trump’s going to pick someone who will punch Hillary and Slick Willy right back in the nose on ABC with George Stephen..Clinton hosting.