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grumpyduck

(6,294 posts)
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 10:04 PM Jan 2018

Okay, so Ryan and McConnell

are sucking up to Trump, being assholes, and all that. I totally agree. But, after hanging out here in DU for a few weeks, I just can't buy the usual explanation that they're just assholes or traitors or whatever. It's not enough for me.

They have to WANT something. There has to be a REASON for doing what they're doing. So...

Are they being blackmailed by [insert your favorite villain]?

Are they being paid gobs of money by [insert your favorite villain]?

Are they tired of government service and just don't give a shit anymore?

Are they protecting Trump because they feel they can do whatever they want with him in office?

I don't have a clue, and I'm sure there are lots of opinions. So please jump in with yours. What do they want?

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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brush

(53,978 posts)
1. IMO they want him in there to get their agenda thru. There are funding complications also.
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 10:34 PM
Jan 2018

trump probably know they accepted funds from the Russians and thus they are complicit in not just trump's stolen election but in funneling dark money to keep other repugs ensconced in the House and Senate.

NanceGreggs

(27,821 posts)
2. The Republican party ...
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 10:36 PM
Jan 2018

... has no choice at this point than to stand unified behind Trump, because doing otherwise will further the damage that they already anticipate will be done in the midterms.

Pulling their support now will lose them the die-hard Trump voters, and the GOP will be perceived as a party at war with itself - which is not conducive to getting voters to the polls.

Personally, I believe we will see a sea change after November. Whatever damage is going to be done to the GOP in the midterms will be a fait accompli, and Trump will then be expendable. No doubt the powers-that-be in the Republican heirarchy will start moving away from Trump, because they know he has no chance of being re-elected. His approval numbers are already historically low, and will undoubtedly sink lower when Mueller reveals his investigative findings. They have a much better shot at the 2020 GE with Pence - who can be profferred as the "scandal-free, upstanding, moral Christian" that Republican voters traditionally flock to.

Besides, the Republicans already got what they wanted out of Trump - the "jewel in the crown", the TaxScam that enriches themselves personally, along with their wealthy donors. That will keep the money flowing into GOP coffers for a long time to come.

drray23

(7,638 posts)
3. i think they are involved via financial shenenigans.
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 10:50 PM
Jan 2018

I suspect we are going to find that some political action committees were funded with money coming from Russia and they knew it and did nothing.

pnwmom

(109,025 posts)
4. I think they're being blackmailed. The GOP was taking money from Russian sources,
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 10:51 PM
Jan 2018

and they're afraid of the possible repercussions.

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