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Trump Endorsements

Same topic, different views

By Joe Carbonari and Tim Baldwin

By Joe Carbonari

Vice president of the United States, a heartbeat away from the presidency, or maybe secretary of defense. Congressman Ryan Zinke is being considered for a high post if The Donald wins. Zinke is ready. He has endorsed Trump and is trying to sound sincere in service. He is clearly on the move. It will be interesting to watch.

For Trump, Zinke would be a relatively safe running mate. Zinke has appeal. He has substance to back his charm. He understands power, its responsibilities, and its limitations. He also has the ability and willingness to fight and some like-minded friends.

Zinke has a real tightrope to walk. His thinking may not always be in concert with those who are promoting him. Zinke appears to have a mind of his own. Let us so hope. Men should not play at war.

For Trump, collateral damage is, well collateral. Zinke seems to care more. Zinke could help with some voters. Not enough, one would think.

By throwing in with Trump this strongly, Zinke runs the risk of being lost in the ruins, guilty by association. His reputation shot. Icarus, beware the flame.

Zinke looks right and he sounds right and he seems to be moving to the right – too far to the right for me. A Trump-Zinke ticket? Entertaining, but playing with fire. Trump needs leavening, not fuel.


By Tim Baldwin

Congressman Ryan Zinke recently endorsed Donald Trump for president. Among his reasons, Zinke noted the importance of keeping Hillary Clinton out. Many conservatives would agree, but still, Trump has made strange bedfellows. Zinke is not a far-right conservative, and there are many “neo-con” Republicans who endorse Trump. How will these odd alliances play out if Trump is elected?

There is a portion of Trump’s supporters who consider establishment politicians as the fundamental problem with American politics. So, what if Trump places people in his administration or on the Supreme Court who are “establishment?” Will this be seen as a betrayal to the anti-establishment cause and motivate people to abandon Trump? Or will they sacrifice a purist approach to politics in hopes that Trump’s anti-establishment agenda will become mainstream?

This is certain: Trump could change the landscape of politics for decades by whom he places in his administration and appoints to the Supreme Court (if there are vacancies). That conservatives across the spectrum are supporting Trump demonstrates in many ways that their goals are common and that Trump is the only person who has been able to unite them in practice.

Trump has been able to do what Ross Perot and Ron Paul could not in uniting people against the socialist agenda. This is what’s exciting to Trump supporters and why he may very well be elected.