Former Republican White House Lawyer for Bush to Run as a Democrat for Al Franken's Senate Seat

[Amused]

These are certainly interesting times we live in...

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wire...painter-enters-minnesota-senate-race-54826310

Prominent Trump critic Painter enters Minnesota Senate race

A former Republican White House lawyer in President George W. Bush's administration and a prominent critic of President Donald Trump announced Monday that he'll run as a Democrat for Al Franken's Minnesota Senate seat.

Richard Painter said he plans to challenge Sen. Tina Smith, who was appointed to Franken's seat after his January resignation, in a Democratic primary in August. Painter served as chief White House ethics lawyer from 2005 to 2007 in the Bush administration but has been a visible critic of Trump since his 2016 election, making frequent appearances on CNN, MSNBC and other cable TV networks.

Explaining his party swap, Painter said it's clear to him there's no space for a Republican who opposes the president. And while he rattled off a handful of Democratic positions such as single-payer health care and blocking mining projects in northeastern Minnesota, he said he wouldn't spend campaign money to attack Smith.

He made clear that the primary motivation behind his Senate bid was the president, whose policies he called "autocratic."

"I'm running against Donald Trump and every one of his collaborators in the Republican Party," he said. "I'm going to put my country first. This isn't about party."

 

[Indus]

Maybe the few of the never Trumpers realized their vote doesn't matter in the GOP.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I wonder who looks best against Republicans in the General?

 

[Thebobo]

I really like Painter he's on CNN a lot and a very sharp guy. ANd he loves to give it to Trump. He does not move his head much tho lol.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

I really like Painter he's on CNN a lot and a very sharp guy. ANd he loves to give it to Trump. He does not move his head much tho lol.

He developed Ramsay Hunt syndrome after battling shingles. One of the effects of type 2 is paralysis of the facial muscles.

 

[Amused]

Good look at his case against Trump and his speaking style here:

 

[Jhhnn]

I suspect he still has the FYGM trickle down spirit of the GOP.

 

[Amused]

I suspect he still has the FYGM trickle down spirit of the GOP.

https://www.painterminnesota.com/economy

 

[Commodus]

https://www.painterminnesota.com/economy

Yeah, that strikes me as more 'traditional' Republican; the worst it gets is talking about "burdensome regulation" for farmers. It's rather sad that "try to rein in spending" and "basic protections for workers" are considered heresy by modern Republicans.

 

[Thebobo]

He developed Ramsay Hunt syndrome after battling shingles. One of the effects of type 2 is paralysis of the facial muscles.

Ah thanks for the explanation, hope he's not in pain. To put himself out on Tv all the time with that is even more impressive.

 

[Bitek]

RP is hilarious. Idk if you saw the clip from MSNBC where he goes apeshit on creepy Hugh Hewitt.

Man has principals and is willing to fight for them. I'll give him huge credit for that.

 

[vi edit]

RP is hilarious. Idk if you saw the clip from MSNBC where he goes apeshit on creepy Hugh Hewitt.

Man has principals and is willing to fight for them. I'll give him huge credit for that.

LOL. I'm going to have to google for that. I can't stand Hugh Hewitt. As for this directly...This feels like a case of being a DINO. I'm not sure he's really interested in supporting a true democratic agenda.

 

[hal2kilo]

I really like Painter he's on CNN a lot and a very sharp guy. ANd he loves to give it to Trump. He does not move his head much tho lol.

Oh crap. That Painter. I'd vote for the crusty guy anytime (if I lived in Minnesota). He has an emoluments suit against Trump already.

 

[Amused]

LOL. I'm going to have to google for that. I can't stand Hugh Hewitt. As for this directly...This feels like a case of being a DINO. I'm not sure he's really interested in supporting a true democratic agenda.

Who cares? Why do we need lock stepped ideologues who invariably seem to think the ends justify the means over pragmatic ethical legislators?

 

[thraashman]

It's interesting that people who just over a decade ago were the epitome of Republican are now closer to Democrats because of how batshit crazy far right the Republican party has gone.

 

[WHAMPOM]

These are certainly interesting times we live in...

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wire...painter-enters-minnesota-senate-race-54826310

Prominent Trump critic Painter enters Minnesota Senate race

A former Republican White House lawyer in President George W. Bush's administration and a prominent critic of President Donald Trump announced Monday that he'll run as a Democrat for Al Franken's Minnesota Senate seat.

Richard Painter said he plans to challenge Sen. Tina Smith, who was appointed to Franken's seat after his January resignation, in a Democratic primary in August. Painter served as chief White House ethics lawyer from 2005 to 2007 in the Bush administration but has been a visible critic of Trump since his 2016 election, making frequent appearances on CNN, MSNBC and other cable TV networks.

Explaining his party swap, Painter said it's clear to him there's no space for a Republican who opposes the president. And while he rattled off a handful of Democratic positions such as single-payer health care and blocking mining projects in northeastern Minnesota, he said he wouldn't spend campaign money to attack Smith.

He made clear that the primary motivation behind his Senate bid was the president, whose policies he called "autocratic."

"I'm running against Donald Trump and every one of his collaborators in the Republican Party," he said. "I'm going to put my country first. This isn't about party."

Hell, I think Franken should run again. Let the voters decide who should office and not hysteria.

 

[dank69]

Who cares? Why do we need lock stepped ideologues who invariably seem to think the ends justify the means over pragmatic ethical legislators?

Because every single bullet point in the Republican agenda is pure unadulterated shit.

 

[brandonbull]

It's interesting that people who just over a decade ago were the epitome of Republican are now closer to Democrats because of how batshit crazy far right the Republican party has gone.

I think it's more of a function that the mainstream Left has gone way left and this guy will be considered center/moderate when his anti-Trump hate is coupled with being a former G.W. Bush Republican.

 

[Amused]

I think it's more of a function that the mainstream Left has gone way left and this guy will be considered center/moderate when his anti-Trump hate is coupled with being a former G.W. Bush Republican.

Ya know, it's amusing to see Trump supporters claim the left has gone further left when, in fact, the right has moved far right into nationalism and the left moved more to the center.

Case in point. I haven't changed my positions on any topic, yet I'm now considered "left" on this forum whereas just a few years ago, most considered me right of center here.

 

[Thebobo]

I think it's more of a function that the mainstream Left has gone way left and this guy will be considered center/moderate when his anti-Trump hate is coupled with being a former G.W. Bush Republican.

Lol in what bizarro world do you live in?

 

[shortylickens]

Lol in what bizarro world do you live in?

Yesterday all of twitter attacked a white girl for wearing a chinese dress.

 

[Thebobo]

Yesterday all of twitter attacked a white girl for wearing a chinese dress.

Yea and their idiots but not necessarily liberal.

 

[brandonbull]

Ya know, it's amusing to see Trump supporters claim the left has gone further left when, in fact, the right has moved far right into nationalism and the left moved more to the center.

Case in point. I haven't changed my positions on any topic, yet I'm now considered "left" on this forum whereas just a few years ago, most considered me right of center here.

It's amusing that anyone is a "Trump supporter" when they hold an opinion that's not approved by the Left thought police.

 

[Amused]

It's amusing that anyone is a "Trump supporter" when they hold an opinion that's not approved by the Left thought police.

Yes, it's better to accuse the center/right guy of being extreme left and "thought police" rather than admit you've defended Trump in virtually every thread on this board.

What is truly amusing is how detached from reality you really are.

 

[IronWing]

The guy was a lawyer in the Bush White House. Why would the Dems want him in their party? Attacking Trump is well and good but the guy worked for war criminals.