Republicans Happy To Have Trump Distract The Press As They Move Their Agenda
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump’s first two whirlwind weeks in office have left congressional Republicans gasping over questions of crowd size, “alternative facts,” even baseless claims about massive voter fraud ― and that was really just the initial few days. But Trump’s antics have also handed members a gift: distraction.
The often-unhinged tweets, aggressive executive orders and erratic behavior have all provided Republicans some cover as they attempt to repeal a health care law that is becoming more popular.
“There is some merit to the argument that would suggest that much of the focus is on what President Trump is doing and not as much on what Congress is doing,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) told The Huffington Post. “So it allows for votes to be taken in the House that receive little attention while everybody’s focused on the bigger agenda items.”
Traditional media score-keeping looks at whether politicians are staying on message. But Trump ripped up that scorecard a year and a half ago. Now, as backlash against the GOP agenda grows, Republicans in Congress are learning how useful it can be to have a lightning rod as president.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-trump-distractions_us_589216e5e4b0522c7d3e7342?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
