I’M NOT GOING TO HELP HER!” Trump threatens to withhold federal help from Ohio if voters elect a Democratic governor – as he turns presidential power into an election weapon!
Donald Trump explained Saturday night how things work when Ohio has Republican leaders in charge.
“They call me up. They need money. They need this. They need that,” Trump told supporters in Vandalia, describing requests he receives from the state’s Republican officials.
Then he brought up Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton.
“But I’m not going to help her.”
And there, in six words, Trump laid out a very different vision of the presidency: Elect his friends and they'll have the president on the phone when Ohio needs something. Elect his opponent and don't expect the same treatment.
It fits neatly with the bargain Trump offered voters at the Republican midterm convention just weeks ago, when he promised every adult American a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” if Republicans keep control of Congress.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump told voters.
Federal money does not belong to Donald Trump. Federal assistance to Ohio is not a personal favor from the president. Americans shouldn't have to elect politicians from the president's party to expect their federal government to work for them.
Yet Trump increasingly talks about the powers and resources of the presidency as though they're his to dispense according to who gives him what he wants politically.
Reward your friends. Punish your enemies.
That's not the way to run this great country.
