A logo design for The Lincoln Project, funded by wealthy conservative donors who are opposed to the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump, is seen in a still image from video July 23, 2020. The Lincoln Project/Handout by means of REUTERS
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FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump discusses the administrations plan for resuming schools throughout a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news rundown at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 23, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Jimmy Tosh, who runs a multi-million dollar hog and grain farm in Tennessee, is a lifelong Republican. He is pro-gun, supports lower taxes and agrees with the majority of Republican President Donald Trumps program.
Readleaf, who calls himself a “conservative libertarian,” has donated $35,000 to The Lincoln Project. He stated he concurred with the groups push to also target Republican senators who face difficult re-election fights in November.
Tosh said he has “combined feelings.”
” Ive been a Republican all my life and want to stay Republican – however the Republican Party needs to change after what its done over the previous three years.”
Reporting by Tim Reid, additional reporting by Elizabeth Culliford, Editing by Soyoung Kim and Cynthia Osterman
The “Never Trump” Republicans stopped working to stop his ascent in 2016 and became minimal figures as Trump came to control the celebration throughout his presidency. This year might be different, some strategists from both parties stated.
The Lincoln Project, numerous Republican-backed groups have actually been formed in recent months to support Biden including 43 Alumni for Biden, a super PAC including hundreds of officials who served in Republican President George W. Bushs administration, and a coalition of previous Republican nationwide security authorities. It is not simply conservatives offering to the Republican anti-Trump groups. The Lincoln Project, for instance, is likewise getting large sums from rich Democrats, filings with the Federal Election Commission show.
He is also spending his cash to help defeat Trump in Novembers election.
” I agree with 80% of the things he does; I just can not stand a liar,” Tosh, 70, said of Trump.
Tosh is among a growing variety of wealthy conservative Americans who say Trump is a risk to democracy and the long-lasting health of the Republican Party. They are actively supporting his Democratic challenger in the Nov. 3 vote, previous Vice President Joe Biden.
Numerous billionaire and millionaire donors to The Lincoln Project, the most popular of Republican-backed groups opposing Trumps re-election, informed Reuters that chosen Republicans ought to likewise be punished for enabling him. Some even support the ouster of susceptible Republican senators to hand control of the chamber to Democrats.
Their money has sustained an unprecedented campaign from members of a sitting presidents own celebration to oust him from office. This is an indication that Trump has alienated some Republicans, most recently with his reaction to the coronavirus nationwide and pandemic demonstrations over cops brutality against Black Americans.
The ultimate effect of these actions stays to be seen in a country so deeply polarized. The “Never Trump” Republicans stopped working to stop his ascent in 2016 and ended up being limited figures as Trump came to dominate the celebration throughout his presidency. This year could be different, some strategists from both celebrations stated.
” The difference in 2020 that we didnt see in 2016 is the amount of cash backing their efforts and their size,” said Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist and a spokesperson for Hillary Clintons 2016 governmental campaign.
” The number of individuals happy to go public about Trump and put lots of money behind beating him– I dont think weve seen an effort on this scale.”
Besides The Lincoln Project, several Republican-backed groups have been formed in current months to support Biden including 43 Alumni for Biden, a super PAC involving numerous authorities who served in Republican President George W. Bushs administration, and a coalition of former Republican nationwide security authorities. [L1N2E71LO] [L1N2DZ1HN]
Others are sceptical, noting that Trump is vastly outraising and outspending the Never Trump groups and still enjoys almost 90% support among Republicans. In June alone, Trumps project raised $55.2 million, compared to the $20 million that The Lincoln Project has actually raised considering that its formation in December.
Yet in a close election, even peeling away a sliver of wavering Republicans and some independents could make a distinction, analysts said.
Tosh, who has actually given $11,000 to The Lincoln Project after seeing one of their ads attacking Trump, said he may offer to other Republican-led groups too.
” I made the choice I will not support a Republican candidate in an election till Trump is gone,” he said.
Other leading specific donors to The Lincoln Project consist of Christy Walton, the Walmart heiress who has primarily offered to Democratic prospects recently; hedge fund billionaire Andy Redleaf, who sits on the board of visitors at the conservative Federalist Society; and Sidney Jansma Jr., an oil and gas executive from Michigan and a regular donor to Republican causes and prospects.
The Lincoln Project ads have assaulted Trump over his reaction to economic and health crises and racial stress, targeting wavering Trump independents and voters.
Democratic ad maker Jimmy Siegel who dealt with Clintons 2008 project, said a few of the spots, viewed by millions, might be convincing to “teetering” Republicans on the fence.
Erin Perrine, a Trump campaign spokesperson, said of the anti-Trump groups: “This is the overload– yet once again– attempting to take down the duly elected president of the United States.” She said Trumps level of assistance among Republicans is “something any previous president of any party could just dream of.”
REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE PUNISHED
It is not just conservatives offering to the Republican anti-Trump groups. The Lincoln Project, for instance, is also receiving large amounts from rich Democrats, filings with the Federal Election Commission show. Its greatest single contribution in June was $1 million from hedge fund manager Stephen Mandel, a respected Democratic donor.
Reed Galin, among the groups creators who worked for Bush and the late Republican U.S. Senator John McCain, stated Trumps bullying brand name of politics is “bad for the celebration, and its also bad for the nation.”
Redleaf, founder of Minnesota-based hedge fund Whitebox Advisors, stated Biden will be the first Democratic governmental candidate he has voted for.
