mobanmarketPresident TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE was all smiles on Wednesday as he welcomed congressional Republicans to the White House to celebrate the shared victory on taxes.
Trump heaped praise on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE (R-Ky.), who he harshly criticized during the failed ObamaCare repeal effort, and gave a prominent spot near the podium to Sen. Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerOn The Trail: Democrats plan to hammer Trump on Social Security, Medicare Lobbying World Democrats spend big to put Senate in play MORE (R-Nev.), who’s considered the most vulnerable GOP senator up for reelection next year.
Trump himself said the passage of the tax bill made it easier for all of the Republicans to be in a good mood.
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“We got together and we worked very hard, didn’t we?” Trump said from the South Lawn of the White House. “Seems like it was a lot of fun. It’s always fun when you win. If you work hard and lose, that’s not acceptable.”
But it’s unclear whether the Wednesday reverie will carry over into 2018, especially as the party heads for midterm elections where the House and Senate could be at risk.
Trump has clashed with several GOP senators in recent month, including Sens. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeGOP lawmakers stick to Trump amid new criticism Kelly holds double-digit lead over McSally in Arizona: poll Trump asserts his power over Republicans MORE (Ariz.), Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP lawmakers stick to Trump amid new criticism Trump asserts his power over Republicans Romney is only GOP senator not on new White House coronavirus task force MORE (Tenn.) and John McCainJohn Sidney McCainThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Bad polling data is piling up for Trump Cindy McCain ‘disappointed’ McGrath used image of John McCain in ad attacking McConnell Report that Bush won’t support Trump reelection ‘completely made up,’ spokesman says MORE (Ariz.). Corker, a Trump surrogate-turned-critic who announced his retirement in September, ended up getting on board with tax legislation in the end. But Flake, who has publicly sparred with Trump and is also retiring from Congress, skipped the White House event despite voting for the bill.
Some vulnerable Republicans may feel pressure to distance themselves from Trump in 2018, given his low approval ratings. But that could be a risky bet, since they will also need the support of the GOP base to survive primary challenges and triumph in November.
That puts Heller in a particularly tricky spot as he looks to navigate a contentious primary and competitive general election in Nevada, a state that seems to be trending toward the Democrats.
When it comes to the primary, Heller’s center-stage spot at the White House is good news for the Nevada Republican as a way to prove to the base that he’ll work with the president on big-ticket legislative items.
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Heller has had a rocky relationship with Trump that goes back to the 2016 election. He was critical of Trump as a presidential candidate and, during Trump’s first year in office, the two clashed during the unsuccessful ObamaCare repeal push.
At a meeting in the White House, Trump called out Heller — who was sitting next to him — for not getting on board with the initial repeal bill. A pro-Trump outside group threatened to run ads against Heller and later ended up pulling them when the Nevada senator ultimately voted for the legislation.
Heller seemed to have gotten back into Trump’s good graces by pushing a later ObamaCare repeal bill alongside Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op MORE (R-S.C.) and Bill CassidyWilliam (Bill) Morgan CassidySenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senators dodge on treatment of White House protesters The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – US virus deaths exceed 100,000; Pelosi pulls FISA bill MORE (R-La.).
Support for Trump could be critical for Heller’s chances in the GOP primary, where he’ll need to convince voters that he’s sincerely embracing the president. And even if the president doesn’t endorse him, Heller will need to at least make sure that Trump isn’t actively working against him.
Trump’s former chief strategist Stephen Bannon, who’s vowed to go to “war” with McConnell and his allies, is expected to go to bat for Heller’s GOP primary rival Danny Tarkanian, who has unsuccessfully run for office several times and lost a close Nevada House race in 2016.
Tarkanian has played up his support for Trump and has called on Heller to sign a pledge to oppose McConnell remaining as majority leader.
But Heller’s been loudly trumpeting his role in writing and passing the GOP’s tax overhaul. While some strategists believe Heller’s conflict with Trump in 2016 could still hurt him, passage of the tax bill could be a boon for him in the June 12 primary.
“His first objective is to win the primary, so in terms of accomplishing that goal, this is very helpful. It’s getting something done and having a shared accomplishment with the president that he can tout in the primary,” said GOP strategist Brian Seitchik, who worked on Tarkanian’s 2010 Senate bid but isn’t currently working on either campaign.
“It’s hard to really say certainly where the relationship with the president is headed. I would say today it’s probably all smiles and sunshine.”
But if Heller wins the primary, his association with Trump could go from an asset to a liability.
Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE won Nevada in 2016, so Heller’s support for Trump could cost him more moderate and independent voters, especially if the president’s approval numbers are still underwater by 2018. He’s also likely to have a tough Democratic opponent, with Rep. Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenThe Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Mnuchin sees ‘strong likelihood’ of another relief package; Warner says some businesses ‘may not come back’ at The Hill’s Advancing America’s Economy summit The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: CDC Director Redfield responds to Navarro criticism; Mnuchin and Powell brief Senate panel Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups MORE (Nev.) favored to win her party’s primary.
Photos of Heller standing directly behind Trump could be a double-edged sword as Democrats continue to link the Nevada Republican to the president in a state where he lost by more than 2 points. And the party plans to weaponize the tax overhaul, as well as ObamaCare repeal, against him.
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“This tax plan was never about bringing relief to the working families and small businesses who need it most — it was about pandering to Republican primary voters and sucking up to billionaire mega-donors,” Nevada Democratic Party chair William McCurdy II said after the bill passed. “Nevadans will remember Senator Heller’s unwavering support for this shameful tax bill in 2018.”
While it’s still unclear if Trump will be a factor in every 2018 race or continue to mend fences with Senate Republicans, the president and his allies appear to be going to bat for other GOP incumbents who could face tough intraparty battles.
The 45 Committee, a pro-Trump outside group, ran a six-figure ad buy touting Sen. Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerPrivate lawsuits are a necessary expedient in privacy legislation Bottom line GOP faces internal conflicts on fifth coronavirus bill MORE (R-Miss.) for supporting tax reform. The group was founded by GOP mega-donors Sheldon Adelson and Todd Ricketts to help support the president’s agenda.
Unlike Heller, Wicker is up for reelection in 2018 in a safe red seat, but he could also face a primary challenge from state Sen. Chris McDaniel, who came close to unseating Sen. Thad CochranWilliam (Thad) Thad CochranEspy wins Mississippi Senate Democratic primary Bottom Line Mike Espy announces Mississippi Senate bid MORE (R-Miss.) in 2014.
Bannon has also been eyeing Mississippi’s primary and pushing McDaniel to run. But Trump has reportedly vowed to back Wicker, and support from his allied groups could convince McDaniel to seek another higher office since he’s also considering a run for lieutenant governor.
Trump’s support for Senate incumbents could put him at odds with Bannon, but help neutralize primary battles that could threaten the GOP’s slim Senate majority. And strategists believe lawmakers who demonstrate that they stand by Trump will reap the benefits of winning over his base.
“I think folks who have a record of standing by the president will be rewarded by the president’s supporters,” Seitchik said.
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