By Dick Miller
WE.CONNECT.DOTS: Inviting Donald Trump to headline a major fundraiser for Pennsylvania Republican Committee Friday in New York will either be a disaster for the state organization or a stroke of genius by chairman Rob Gleason.
Many members of the GOP party hierarchy as well as most major in-state mainline media condemned Gleason for the bold move, but he refused to withdraw the invitation.
As it was, the event – part of the 117th annual PA Society shindig in the Big Apple – was not without incident. About 150 protesters gathered outside the Plaza Hotel, however Trump elluded them by coming in a rear entrance.
Other protesters were able to get inside the luncheon ballroom, carrying banners and vigorously shouting slogans that criticized Trump for recent anti-Muslim statements. He did not raise that issue during his luncheon speech, sticking to lighter subjects.
A spokesperson for GOP state committee “said attendance – 350 to 400 people – was higher than usual for the annual Commonwealth Club event,” reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Average entry price was a reported $1,000 per person.
Many Republican dignitaries skipped the event, but few cited Trump’s appearance as the reason. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, up for re-election next year claimed he had scheduling conflicts. Gleason said the proceeds would be used to elect Republicans in 2016 and Toomey did not say he would refuse to accept such assistance.
Gleason’s bold stroke makes Pennsylvania the first major state where the GOP apparatus has officially recognized and given legitimacy to Trump’s unorthodox campaign. Gleason hopes, of course, Trump will not forget PA when he gets to the White House.
Gleason currently has legitimate power. Chairman for nine years with roots in the Thornburgh wing of the party, there is no one to challenge his authority. The House and Senate leadership are at each other’s throat over the state budget and Toomey has shown little interest in political power. This leaves Gleason who could continue to keep Trump alive.
The Republican chair made himself a moving target in fending off criticism of Trump’s invitation and appearance. As far back as September he defended Trump’s campaign views at a Republican state committee meeting. More recently he or his staff claimed all Republican presidential candidates were invited to the shindig but that Trump was the only one who accepted.
How much political capital did Gleason put in play to pull this caper off?
Could be lots, according to Harrisburg rumor mills.
The Koch brothers were prepared to dump $3 million in last minute funding to help Republicans win the state judgeships in last month’s elections. As one story goes, when the Kochs learned Gleason was playing “footsie” with Trump, they pulled the appropriation.
The additional advertising and perhaps some voter suppression efforts in Democrat-rich Philadelphia may not have changed poll results. Democrats made history by going 5-for-5 in statewide appellate court races.
Even though the Kochs took a financial bath in the implosion of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s presidential bid, they remain committed to a more traditional candidate with administrative governmental experience. They like Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. They would view US Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz as acceptable but nowhere does Trump fit their plans.
How far does Gleason go with Trump or any other candidates? Only former PA Senator Rick Santorum would know enough people to fill an organization dedicated to getting him on the PA ballot. Bush, Kasich and NJ Gov. Chris Christie could rely on political allies.
Trump, Rubio and Cruz need help. They look for recommendations of campaign aides who will help steer efforts through a rather complex process. Presidential candidates must hold to a timetable. Meetings to drum up interest and a campaign for delegates begin the first week of January.
Delegates are elected by Congressional Districts, but first need written permission from the Presidential aspirants to complete and file nominating petitions.
While Pennsylvania’s presidential primary is not scheduled until April 22, the process to acquire signatures to get on the ballot actually begins Jan. 26. To understand the relationship of dates, the Iowa caucuses do not begin until Feb. 1. Chasing votes in Iowa and New Hampshire runs parallel to meeting early compliance deadlines in Pennsylvania.
Bottom Line: Most pundits think (hope!) Trump will eventually say something so outrageous that his voters will begin to desert him. But in a complex Presidential Primary, Trump’s mouth does not translate into enough delegates either. Field work counts and only Trump and Dr. Ben Carson have no practical campaign experience.
