Trump privately slamming GOP candidate in Pa. House race as 'weak': report

[TomCADem]

Source: The Hill

President Trump has been privately attacking the GOP candidate in the Pennsylvania House special election, Axios reported Sunday.

Trump has slammed Republican Rick Saccone as a bad and “weak” candidate, four sources told the news outlet.

He reportedly shared his opinion of the GOP candidate before traveling to Pennsylvania to stump for Saccone on Saturday. Axios reported that it's unclear if Trump's opinion of the candidate has changed since then.

Trump largely spent the rally touting his own achievements instead of discussing the candidate, but did endorse Saccone.



Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/377871-trump-privately-slamming-gop-candidate-in-pa-house-race-as-weak-report

---

Trump is ready to throw The PA Republican under the bus like Roy Moore, but at the same time swoop in to claim credit regardless of the outcome of the race.

[hlthe2b]

1. Setting up the pre-loss (hopefully) spin 48 hours early

I think if Saccone loses (and hopefully loses badly), we will see another avalanche of Republican retirements.

One can only hope...

[TomCADem]

3. Of Course, If Saccone Had A Decent Lead, Trump Would Be Saying...

...its all because of him. Sort of like how Trump is claiming credit for the Olympics.

[FakeNoose]

2. Hah! What an asshole!

Why did he even bother with that campaign speech if he doesn't want him to win?

[jmowreader]

8. While Trump may not want Saccone to win, Trump NEEDS him to win

Trump can't afford the optics of another Democrat taking a safe Republican seat. A Conor Lamb victory puts the entire country into play.

He has a bigger problem:
https://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania%27s_18th_Congressional_District_election,_2016

According to Ballotpedia, Tim Murphy ran unopposed the last two elections. PA-18 is THAT Republican. If Saccone can't win this, the PA GOP should probably fold up its tent.

[FakeNoose]

9. He wanted Roy Moore to win too

... but he never called him a loser or a weak candidate behind his back. Like I said, what an asshole!

[tblue37]

4. Can you imagine how a candidate feels when Trump comes to endorse him but then spends

his whole time bragging about himself and insulting people he considers to be enemies. Then, a few minutes before the end of his rant he remembers he is supposed to be talking up the candidate, so he just sorta goes, "Oh, and this guy here. Isn't he great?"

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Trump is always on both sides of everything

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. He's setting it up so he can claim credit if Saccone wins.

But if Saccone loses, he can say, "I told you so; he was a weak candidate."

[Marie Marie]

14. Exactly!

[Orange Free State]

7. I live near the 18th but not in it

and am working the election as a Legal Observer. The Tribune-Review today (regional right-wing rag) had a story on the race in the 18th on the front page. They had side by side equal size pictures of Conor Lamb and the Tangeranus, with a postage stamp sized picture of a bloated toupeed Saccone further down. Sign of contempt for Saccone not raising enough money? Trying to make it a referendum on Trump rather than the perceived weak candidate Saccone?

[Blue Owl]

10. Takeaway: The fear of God is weak

n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Shades of his Roy Moore strategy

Classic Trump

[BumRushDaShow]

12. In other words - if he wins he takes credit and if he loses he takes credit. nt

[tclambert]

13. Yeah, right, that Saccone guy is dragging down the GOP ticket all across the country.

Why, Saccone is so bad that Republicans are having tough times even in districts where no one has ever heard of him.