Posted on 03/29/2016 3:28:49 PM PDT by Hilda
"Far be it from me to understand the meteoric rise of Donald Trump, but many folks have been willing to overlook his not exactly iron-clad conservative bona fides because of his apparent determination to fix a broken government and upend the entrenched establishment. And who could disagree with stopping the flood of illegal immigration, strengthening our borders and making sure we make better trade deals?
However, conservatives willing to overlook his shifting opinions on social issues and unclear policies for repealing and replacing Obamacare may be having second thoughts after this latest attack on Scott Walker, after his endorsement of the very conservative Ted Cruz.
According to The Guardian, Donald Trump attacked Wisconsin governor Scott Walker for failing to raise taxes in order to properly fund schools and roads on Tuesday, in a startling new break from rightwing orthodoxy from the Republican frontrunner.
Walker became a conservative hero for his efforts to crush public sector unions and cut government spending in the Democratic-leaning state in Wisconsin, something that led to an attempted recall of the Wisconsin governor in 2012 and became a national cause célèbre. But, in a radio interview with talkshow host Michael Koolidge on Tuesday, Trump bashed Walker’s administration.
“There’s a $2.2bn deficit and the schools were going begging and everything was going begging because he didn’t want to raise taxes ’cause he was going to run for president,” said Trump. “So instead of raising taxes, he cut back on schools, he cut back on highways, he cut back on a lot of things.”
Um, well…maybe this is a clever way to build a ‘bigger tent” and attract Independents and Democrats, but how is pushing for higher taxes going to appeal to skeptical conservatives? Gosh, I’m not a billionaire businessperson, but even I know raising taxes isn’t the only answer for funding crucial budget items. How about just cutting back on waste, fraud and abuse in other areas?
In any event, Mr. Trump’s statement regarding the deficit isn’t actually true, when you take into account Wisconsin’s budget rules, according to Politifact:
By law, Wisconsin’s two-year budgets must be balanced — revenue equaling expenditures.
So, unlike the federal government, Wisconsin can never run an actual budget deficit by borrowing money that piles up as debt.
Trump said that under Walker, Wisconsin “projected a $1 billion (budget) surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion.”
There was in early 2014 a projection of a $1 billion surplus heading into the 2015-’17 budget period. Late in 2014, there was a projection of a $2.2 billion shortfall — the difference between expected revenues and the amount of money being requested by state agencies. But the shortfall was never a deficit — and some of the surplus was consciously spent by Republicans, as tax cuts.
For a statement that contains only an element of truth and ignores critical facts that would give a different impression, our rating is Mostly False.
And for a candidate trying very hard to compete for votes from committed conservatives, I would rate Donald Trump’s comments about raising taxes mostly alarming.
SNORE....
Man oh man, I wish the off the record discussion of Trump with NYT about what he would REALLY do as POTUS would get aired. There is probably a pretty good reason he is adamant that none of it gets leaked.
No that’s Cruz that does that...
What is Cruz going to say? Give him 24 hours after Trump says something, then Me2Ted will repeat it as his, that is if he doesn’t LIE about it...
Or kiss the ring, or have your jaw busted by it.
If he does get the nomination many here will be utterly shocked at his transformation. Some of us will not be at all. A lying con man. He will say anything and do anything to get elected. The scummiest of lying politicians.
Isn't that enough?
No, because he is mostly likely lying about those.
Lol...it sounds a lot like what Cruzbots were saying about Walker six months ago.
Where was this dopey author then?
The article is about Trump and says nothing about Cruz, but you knew that.
Look shiny object!!!
Perhaps Slick Teddy can lawyer one up for them. That is if he’s not too busy fulfilling the mormon prophecy or making excuses for Chicago thugs, communists, illegal aliens, and anarchists.
Guarantee he won't try to steal this hairbrained statement.
Maybe Donnie the militant RINO can get all of his Democratic buddies that he gave buckets of money to protest. Can you imagine Al Sharpton leading the protest, after all Donald was buying influence...
Maybe Donnie the militant RINO can get all of his Democratic buddies that he gave buckets of money to protest. Can you imagine Al Sharpton leading the protest, after all Donald was buying influence...
Ping for later
yeah he should clarify that statement. cutting back is good and taxes are bad.
That seems pretty clear to me, how's he going to clarify that?
Right. He risks his life and reputation to take on the most important problems facing us today so he can lie about them. Put down the bong dude.
Trump needs to cool it.
To not include yours truly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.