On Sunday, Senator Pat Toomey followed Speaker Paul Ryan’s lead, and offered some advice to Donald Trump. In an op-ed on Philly.com, Toomey writes, “I find his candidacy highly problematic.”
“Trump was not my first, second, or third choice. I object to much in his manner and his policies. His vulgarity, particularly toward women, is appalling. His lack of appreciation for Constitutional limits on executive powers is deeply concerning. I disagree with his proposals to ban Muslims, to give government more eminent domain powers, to be neutral between Israel and its enemies, and several others. In short, I find his candidacy highly problematic.”
Toomey added that, while he is inclined to support the party’s nominee, Trump is different.
“As a Republican elected official, I am inclined to support the nominee of my party. That doesn’t mean I must always agree with him. I didn’t agree with Mitt Romney, John McCain, or George W. Bush on everything, but I supported them. That said, Trump is different from previous nominees. There could come a point at which the differences are so great as to be irreconcilable. I hope that doesn’t happen, but I have never been a rubber stamp for my party’s positions or its candidates. It is up to Trump to make the case for himself in a way that reassures the millions of Republicans and non-Republicans who have grave doubts about him. Winning the nomination is a great accomplishment, but it does not mean party members check their judgment at the door.”
The senator offers some advice to Trump, noting that he has an opportunity, “[b]ut, to put it in terms that a businessman like yourself will understand, you have not yet closed the sale.”
“Convince us that you are committed to the principles of limited government; individual freedom; a strong national defense, and a free-market economy that promotes opportunity and rejects crony capitalism.”
Toomey ends by telling Trump to, “listen more, and talk less.”
“Finally, rather than attacking those who speak a contrary word about you or your positions, consider the value of constructive advice. Many of your critics are nothing more than political opponents who want your defeat. But some of your critics actually share the deep frustration with the direction of our country and our political class that has propelled your candidacy. Sometimes your critics might have a point. If you listen more, and talk less, you might even win some of them over. You will have to in order to be successful.”
Read the whole op-ed here.
