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The Memo: GOP frets as Trump squanders advantages | TheHill

posted onMarch 31, 2019
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Article snippet: Republicans are more worried than ever about a lack of discipline from MORE and his administration as the 2020 election looms larger on the horizon. A new outbreak of concern was sparked this week, when the political benefits from a favorable account of special counsel MORE’s findings were undercut by several distractions. The administration’s renewed push to undo the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — without any clear replacement in mind — was an unwelcome surprise to most Republicans. Another self-inflicted injury came when Education Secretary MORE defended a budget proposal to cut federal funding for the Special Olympics. DeVos was overruled by Trump, who revealed his decision when speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday.  The president finished the week reigniting the immigration debate, saying on Friday that there was "a very good likelihood" that he would close the southern border in the coming days. Trump’s hard-line position on immigration is popular with his base but receives a much rockier reception among the broader electorate. Put it all together and it’s easy to understand why Republicans are unsettled. Doug Heye, a former communications director for the Republican National Committee, said that a lack of focus from Trump was "one of the most frustrating things for Republicans" because it meant that neither the president nor the party reaped the dividend from positive news. Heye contended that the Trump administration’s record... Link to the full article to read more

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