The National Republican Senatorial Committee’s newly minted Donald Trump koozies are being hocked to fundraise on behalf of their slate of Senate candidates for 2016, including Senator Kelly Ayotte. This is the second time in two weeks that the NRSC’s Trump strategy has been revealed. Last week, a leaked confidential NRSC memo detailed instructions to Senate incumbents and candidates on implementing Trump-like strategies for their 2016 campaigns. Trump called the NRSC candidate guide a “compliment.”
“Donald Trump’s hateful, divisive rhetoric and policies are as un-American as they are incendiary. Fundraising on Trump’s hate speech to re-elect Sen. Ayotte is desperate and outrageous. Sen. Ayotte has already said that the former reality star’s campaign is ‘a positive thing,’ and refuses to ‘criticize Trump directly,’ even after his call to ban Muslisms. Trump and Sen. Ayotte’s policies would hurt the Granite State. Their agenda would make it harder for New Hampshirites to get a quality education, crush women’s access to healthcare, and take away insurance coverage for children of low income families,” said Jessica Mackler, president of American Bridge 21st Century. “Just like the NRSC koozie says, Sen. Ayotte’s policies show she’s ‘with Trump.'”
Background:
June 2015: Ayotte Said Donald Trump’s Candidacy For President Was “A Positive Thing.” According to BuzzFeed, “Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire said Tuesday that Donald Trump running for president is ‘a positive thing’ because it gives people more choices. ‘Well I think I said before, anyone has a chance to win in New Hampshire,’ Ayotte told Boston Herald radio on Tuesday morning when asked about his chances to win the Granite State. ‘The thing about the Republican field right now is it’s obviously a very broad field and it’s got a lot of depth. So I think the more individuals that get in so that the people of New Hampshire and the country have a choice, I think that’s a positive thing.’” [BuzzFeed, 6/17/15]
Ayotte Would Not Rule Out Supporting Trump If He Received The Republican Presidential Nomination. According to NHPR, “But when asked whether she would support Trump if he wins the Republican nomination, Ayotte wouldn’t rule it out. ‘Well, at this point, we’re going to let the people of New Hampshire sort this out. I’ll support the Republican nominee.’” [NHPR, 12/9/15]
Ayotte “Declined To Criticize Trump Directly” On His Call To Ban Muslims. According to the Associated Press, “New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte said she opposes any ‘religious-based test for our immigration standards,’ but she declined to criticize Trump directly when pressed by reporters.” [Associated Press, 12/9/15]
Published: Dec 10, 2015 | Last Modified: Jan 18, 2024