Subject: DAILY UPDATE - 4/26/16
From: "Sullivan, Erin" <[email-masked]>
To: "Sullivan, Erin" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 11:51:47 -0700

2016 DAILY UPDATE – 4/26/16

TED CRUZ

DONALD TRUMP

TED CRUZ

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz's Fellow Lawmakers May Decide His Fate At An Open GOP Convention.” [CNN, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-open-republican-convention/index.html>]

CNN: “While Cruz Has Succeeded By Courting An Array Of Delegates Who Back His Candidacy, Many Are Simply Undecided About How They'd Vote In A Contested Convention -- Including Influential Members Of Congress.” “House and Senate Republicans are quickly being selected as delegates to the Republican National Convention this summer, potentially giving them tremendous sway in helping choose the party's presidential candidate if Donald Trump fails to clinch the nomination outright. And that could be a challenge for Sen. Ted Cruz, who has labeled many of his Capitol Hill colleagues as part of a corrupt ‘Washington cartel.’ In Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was selected over the weekend as a delegate to the convention in Cleveland this summer. Trump supporter Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama is a delegate as well. And in North Carolina, a member of the House GOP leadership, Rep. Patrick McHenry, is expected to be a delegate, as is Sen. Thom Tillis. In interviews with CNN, a wide range of lawmakers refused to say how they'd vote once most delegates are free to vote their conscience after a first round of balloting. ‘Depending on how some decisions are going to be made, I could be part of helping the delegates as a whole make that decision’ of selecting the nominee, Tillis said. ‘I'm legitimately uncommitted.’ The GOP lawmakers' presence adds a new wrinkle to the prospects of an open convention in July. While many congressional Republicans are planning on skipping what could be an unruly convention to worry about their own reelection campaigns, others are poised to play an outsized role if no candidate can secure the 1,237 delegates to clinch the nomination before July. While Cruz has succeeded by courting an array of delegates who back his candidacy, many are simply undecided about how they'd vote in a contested convention -- including influential members of Congress.” [CNN, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-open-republican-convention/index.html>]

Ted Cruz: “America Is The Saudi Arabia Of Coal And Natural Gas, And The Federal Government Should Not Be In The Business Of Trying To Hurt Industry.” “‘America is the Saudi Arabia of coal and natural gas, and the federal government should not be in the business of trying to hurt industry,’ Cruz said. ‘Energy is key to bringing manufacturing and the steel industry back to America.’” [Pittsburg Tribune-Review, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-open-republican-convention/index.html>]

Ted Cruz Said His Economic Plan Resembled What Ronald Reagan And John Kennedy Pursued. “Cruz said he has a plan to reduce regulation and taxes, which he said would create an environment that allows small businesses and manufacturing to thrive. Cruz said his economic plan resembles what Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy pursued. ‘They understood that if you cut taxes and lift regulations for small businesses, it produces millions of jobs,’ he said.” [Pittsburg Tribune-Review, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-open-republican-convention/index.html>]

Ted Cruz Compared Himself To Being An Outsider Like Bernie Sanders. CRUZ: “Our real choice is personal, and every generation must make the same choice. Will we continue to live in the past with what we know no longer works, or will we move forward to a new and better place? The people in state after state have made it clear.  They cry out for a new path. This is the year of the outsider. I am an outsider, Bernie Sanders is an outsider. Both with the same diagnosis, but both with very different paths to healing.” [Ted Cruz Remarks, Primary Night Speech, Philadelphia PA, 4/19/16]

Ted Cruz On Being An Outsider Like Bernie Sanders: “Our Campaigns Don’t Find Our Fuel In Bundlers And Special Interests, But Rather Directly From The People.” CRUZ: “This is the year of the outsider. I am an outsider, Bernie Sanders is an outsider. Both with the same diagnosis, but both with very different paths to healing. Millions of Americans have chosen one of these outsiders. Our campaigns don’t find our fuel in bundlers and special interests, but rather directly from the people.  The wide-eyed youth of any age that haven’t given up on the hope that tomorrow can and will be better.” [Ted Cruz Remarks, Primary Night Speech, Philadelphia PA, 4/19/16]

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz Was Wrong On Murders In New York, But Perception Is Hard To Shake.” [New York Times, 4/21/16<http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/upshot/ted-cruz-was-wrong-on-murders-in-new-york-but-perception-is-hard-to-shake.html?em_pos=small&emc=edit_cn_20160422&nl=first-draft&nl_art=8&nlid=71696274&ref=headline&te=1&_r=0&referer=>]

New York Times: “Ted Cruz’s Campaign Was Wrong Last Week In Saying That New York City Murders Were Up 10 Percent.” “Ted Cruz’s campaign was wrong last week in saying that New York City murders were up 10 percent. But it wasn’t the first time, and surely won’t be the last, that crime statistics for the city and elsewhere are misunderstood and misrepresented.” [New York Times, 4/21/16<http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/upshot/ted-cruz-was-wrong-on-murders-in-new-york-but-perception-is-hard-to-shake.html?em_pos=small&emc=edit_cn_20160422&nl=first-draft&nl_art=8&nlid=71696274&ref=headline&te=1&_r=0&referer=>]

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz, Likable Guy? He's Working On That.” [Associated Press, 4/22/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b7b8c7ba78ed40d5ac418317b60a92e8/ted-cruz-likable-guy-hes-working>]

Associated Press: “Cruz's Presidential Campaign Is Embarking On A Concerted Effort To Highlight A More Affable Version Of The Fiery Texas Republican.” “After spending a year campaigning as a hardened, uncompromising conservative, Ted Cruz wants voters to see him in a different light. Cruz's presidential campaign is embarking on a concerted effort to highlight a more affable version of the fiery Texas Republican. He's started working the late night talk show circuit, a new forum for the senator, and his wife, Heidi, has also been appearing more often on national TV to present him as a likable figure. Cruz's two young daughters, who have already provided occasional comic relief to their dad's campaign, will be joining the senator on the road frequently. And his team is looking for more opportunities to put Cruz in fun, laid-back settings, like when he joined kids for a matzo-making lesson in New York.” [Associated Press, 4/22/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b7b8c7ba78ed40d5ac418317b60a92e8/ted-cruz-likable-guy-hes-working>]

Ted Cruz Spokeswoman Alice Stewart On The Campaign’s Plan To Make Cruz More Likable: “It's Important For Us To Show Him In More Of A Lighthearted Venue … It's Not A Secret That Voters Will Vote For Someone They Like.” “After spending a year campaigning as a hardened, uncompromising conservative, Ted Cruz wants voters to see him in a different light. Cruz's presidential campaign is embarking on a concerted effort to highlight a more affable version of the fiery Texas Republican. He's started working the late night talk show circuit, a new forum for the senator, and his wife, Heidi, has also been appearing more often on national TV to present him as a likable figure. Cruz's two young daughters, who have already provided occasional comic relief to their dad's campaign, will be joining the senator on the road frequently. And his team is looking for more opportunities to put Cruz in fun, laid-back settings, like when he joined kids for a matzo-making lesson in New York. ‘It's important for us to show him in more of a lighthearted venue,’ said Alice Stewart, Cruz's communications director. She conceded that voters want more than just a candidate they agree with on policy, adding, ‘It's not a secret that voters will vote for someone they like.’” [Associated Press, 4/22/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b7b8c7ba78ed40d5ac418317b60a92e8/ted-cruz-likable-guy-hes-working>]

A Focus Group Of Women In Pennsylvania Described Cruz As Untrustworthy Or A Liar. “The lengths Cruz has to go in boosting his standing with voters were starkly evident in a focus group of Republican women this week in Pittsburgh. When the women were asked what they knew about Cruz, several described him as ‘untrustworthy’ or a ‘liar.’ GOP front-runner Donald Trump has spent weeks assailing Cruz as ‘Lyin' Ted.’ And when focus group participants were asked what animal best described Cruz, some said a ‘mosquito’ or a ‘hornet.’ ‘You just want to bat it away,’ one woman said. The session was organized by Public Opinion Strategies and Purple Strategies as part of the ‘Walmart Moms’ series that focuses on female voters.” [Associated Press, 4/22/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b7b8c7ba78ed40d5ac418317b60a92e8/ted-cruz-likable-guy-hes-working>]

Ted Cruz’s Campaign Wanted To Emulate Obama’s Likability. “In that effort, Cruz's campaign sees Obama as someone to emulate. The president has consistently had high personal favorability ratings and mastered the art of courting Americans outside the political arena. Stewart from the Cruz campaign said Obama ‘may not have checked all the boxes for a candidate in terms of record and accomplishments, but voters liked him.’ Cruz this week even parroted Obama's famous ‘yes we can’ campaign slogan, adopting ‘yes we will’ as his promise to fulfill his campaign pledges. Before the New York primary, Cruz made the rounds of the late-night talk show circuit for the first time, appearing on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and the ‘Tonight’ show. Cruz is also doing more public events with his wife and daughters. During a CNN town-hall interview, Cruz talked about a recent class picnic where 8-year-old Caroline ‘got to dress up daddy’ in a pink boa and ‘big goofy-looking underwear.’ ‘It was on a videotape the whole time,’ Caroline continued. ‘Uh oh,’ Cruz said, trying to smile. ‘And now it's a class video that they're sending out to all the parents,’ she said as her mom and the audience burst into laughter. Cruz quickly tried to change the subject.” [Associated Press, 4/22/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b7b8c7ba78ed40d5ac418317b60a92e8/ted-cruz-likable-guy-hes-working>]

HEADLINE: “On Policies, Ted Cruz Shifts His Stance To Suit A Fractured GOP.” [Washington Post, 4/23/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/on-policies-ted-cruz-shifts-his-stance-to-suit-a-fractured-gop/2016/04/23/818accee-070d-11e6-a12f-ea5aed7958dc_story.html>]

Washington Post On Ted Cruz: “Time And Again He Has Shifted, Shaded Or Obfuscated His Policy Positions — Piling On New Ideas, Which Sometimes Didn’t Fit With The Old.” “At the start of the presidential campaign, Ted Cruz told voters he would be the only ‘consistent conservative’ in a crowded Republican field. Then he confronted the modern GOP — a fractured party, in which each faction has a different definition of what ‘conservative’ means. To consistently please all of them, Cruz has had to be inconsistent with himself. Time and again he has shifted, shaded or obfuscated his policy positions — piling on new ideas, which sometimes didn’t fit with the old. Cruz, for instance, promised libertarians that he would show a strict respect for the Constitution’s checks and balances. Then, the senator from Texas promised social conservatives that he would scrap one of those checks and balances, stripping lifetime tenure from Supreme Court justices. He criticized Donald Trump’s plan for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. Then he seemed to support it. He appeared skeptical of military intervention in Syria. Then he vowed to find out whether ‘sand can glow in the dark’ there.” [Washington Post, 4/23/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/on-policies-ted-cruz-shifts-his-stance-to-suit-a-fractured-gop/2016/04/23/818accee-070d-11e6-a12f-ea5aed7958dc_story.html>]

Washington Post: Ted Cruz’s Campaign Did Not Respond “To A Detailed List Of Questions About His Policy Positions. “Cruz’s campaign did not respond Friday to a detailed list of questions about his policy positions.” [Washington Post, 4/23/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/on-policies-ted-cruz-shifts-his-stance-to-suit-a-fractured-gop/2016/04/23/818accee-070d-11e6-a12f-ea5aed7958dc_story.html>]

Ted Cruz Posted The Names Of Pennsylvania Delegates He Wanted Supporters To Vote For. “Pennsylvania, after you ‪#‎ChooseCruz, please vote for these delegates in your congressional district: https://www.2016delegates.com/pa/” [Ted Cruz, Facebook, 4/26/16<https://www.facebook.com/tedcruzpage/photos/a.495661567463.299907.69983322463/10154087101267464/?type=3&theater>]

Ted Cruz: “Rather Than Scolding Our Closest Allies For Even Considering Exercising Their Rights As A Sovereign Nation, The President Of The United States Should Look For Ways To Make ‪#‎Brexit, If It Happens, An Opportunity To Enhance And Strengthen The Special Relationship Between Our Two Countries.” “President Obama's comments today are typical of his administration, which began by returning the bust of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office. Rather than scolding our closest allies for even considering exercising their rights as a sovereign nation, the President of the United States should look for ways to make ‪#‎Brexit, if it happens, an opportunity to enhance and strengthen the special relationship between our two countries.” [Ted Cruz, Facebook, 4/22/16<https://www.facebook.com/tedcruzpage/posts/10154079072287464>]

HEADLINE: “EXCLUSIVE – Sen. Cruz Slams Obama On Brexit: ‘Prez Should Make It An Opportunity To Strengthen Special Relationship’”. [Breitbart, 4/22/16<http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/04/22/exclusive-sen-cruz-obama-brexit-comments-prez-make-opportunity-strengthen-special-relationship/>]

Houston Chronicle: “A Senior Advisor To The Republican National Committee, Steve Munisteri, Said The Cruz Campaign Was Studying The State-By-State Delegate Rules At Least As Far Back As June, And Was Preparing Plans To Dominate.” “While the voters—widely expected to lean towards Trump—do indeed choose the delegates directly, most vote blindly for the delegates if they even vote for them at all. ‘My guess is that most people would not be familiar with the names (of the candidates for delegate),’ said Marc Meredith, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. ‘Often times these are just people who are very involved with the party.’ And the delegates don't specify which candidate they support on the ballot, so all but the savviest voters wouldn't know which delegates represent their presidential tastes. The campaigns have been working to promote their supporters and candidates for delegate, but Cruz far outdoes Trump in that battle. A senior advisor to the Republican National Committee, Steve Munisteri, said the Cruz campaign was studying the state-by-state delegate rules at least as far back as June, and was preparing plans to dominate. ‘I've observed that [the Cruz campaign] has an exceptionally experienced and talented team that is working very effectively [to court delegates],’ Munisteri said.” [Houston Chronicle, 4/26/16<http://www.chron.com/news/politics/tedcruz/article/Ted-Cruz-headed-for-backroom-victory-amid-7374980.php>]

HEADLINE: “Cruz-Kasich Pact Shows Signs Of Strain.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/ted-cruz-john-kasich-pact-strain-222400>]

SUBHEADLINE: “Trump Isn't Sweating The Alliance Against Him, While Kasich Refuses To Say His Supporters Should Vote For Cruz.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/ted-cruz-john-kasich-pact-strain-222400>]

Politico: “Nearly Two Months After Mitt Romney Called For Such A Strategy, Cruz And Kasich Separately Announced Late Sunday Night That They Would Be Dividing Up Some Of The Upcoming Contests In A Bid To Deny Trump The 1,237 Delegates He Needs To Win The Nomination Outright.” “Nearly two months after Mitt Romney called for such a strategy, Cruz and Kasich separately announced late Sunday night that they would be dividing up some of the upcoming contests in a bid to deny Trump the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the nomination outright. The pact entails the Ohio governor ceding Indiana's May 3 primary to his Texan rival while Cruz stands down in New Mexico and Oregon. The math roughly works: Both New Mexico and Oregon award their 24 and 28 delegates proportionally, on June 7 and May 17, respectively, while Indiana's 57 delegates are winner-take-all by district and statewide.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/ted-cruz-john-kasich-pact-strain-222400>]

Ted Cruz’s Campaign Manager And Kasich’s Chief Strategist John Weaver Negotiated The Deal Between Cruz And John Kasich. “Nearly two months after Mitt Romney called for such a strategy, Cruz and Kasich separately announced late Sunday night that they would be dividing up some of the upcoming contests in a bid to deny Trump the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the nomination outright. The pact entails the Ohio governor ceding Indiana's May 3 primary to his Texan rival while Cruz stands down in New Mexico and Oregon. The math roughly works: Both New Mexico and Oregon award their 24 and 28 delegates proportionally, on June 7 and May 17, respectively, while Indiana's 57 delegates are winner-take-all by district and statewide. The deal started to come together as Cruz campaign manager Jeff Roe and Kasich's chief strategist John Weaver touched base in person while attending last week’s Republican National Committee spring meeting in Hollywood, Florida, and agreed to stay in touch, according to three sources briefed on the exchange. On Friday, they spoke by phone and agreed to make something happen — and that same day, Cruz aides were informed that a negotiation was in the works. A day later, they reached an agreement about a specific plan of action. At no point did Cruz or Kasich talk with each other about a prospective deal.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/ted-cruz-john-kasich-pact-strain-222400>]

HEADLINE: “Sen. Cruz Rallies Support For Texas Voter ID Law.” [Press Release, Office of Senator Cruz, 4/25/16<http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2635>]

SUBHEADLINE: “Leads Texas Republican Congressional Delegation In Filing Amicus Brief.” [Press Release, Office of Senator Cruz, 4/25/16<http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2635>]

Ted Cruz Joined An Amicus Brief Supporting A Texas Voter ID Law That “Requires Texas Voters To Present Government-Issued Photo ID Before Voting.” “Last week, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and the entire Texas Republican congressional delegation filed a critical amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in Veasey v. Abbott. The brief supports Texas’ Senate Bill (SB) 14, which requires Texas voters to present government-issued photo ID before voting and provides for free election ID cards. … ‘Proper evaluation of SB 14 under the Voting Rights Act must take into account the settled benefits of voter identification laws,’ the brief states. ‘Texas’s SB 14 is an excellent example of a voter identification law that fosters each of these benefits through evenhanded, race-neutral, and non-burdensome means. Not only does Texas accept an array of state and federal documents to comply with SB 14, but the Texas Legislature mandated that state officials issue one means of complying—a Texas election identification certification (‘EIC’)—to voters for free… ‘Simply put, an application of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act that would invalidate such a commonsense measure cannot be correct.’” [Press Release, Office of Senator Cruz, 4/25/16<http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2635>]

HEADLINE: “Cruz Accepts Invitations To Debate In Indiana.” [Press Release, Ted Cruz for President, 4/25/16<https://www.tedcruz.org/news/cruz-accepts-invitations-debate-indiana/>]

Ted Cruz Accepted Two Invitations To Debate In Indiana. “Today, the Cruz for President campaign accepted two invitations to participate in GOP debates in Indianapolis this week: one from WRTV and another from Tony Katz of WIBC radio. ‘Today marks forty-six days since the last Republican debate,’ said Cruz. ‘Forty-six days. A month and a half. The Democrats have debated. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have showed the respect the voters are due by subjecting themselves to the scrutiny of the voters. Indeed, the Democrats are talking about scheduling a second debate, and yet Donald Trump continues to cower in Trump Tower, afraid to defend his positions. The reason he’s been afraid to do so is he has no answer when he’s asked how to bring jobs back to America. He has no answer when he’s asked how to keep America safe from radical Islamic terrorism. This is a serious time. The American people want and deserve a serious leader focused on jobs, freedom, and security. That’s exactly what I will be and what I will do as President.’” [Press Release, Ted Cruz for President, 4/25/16<https://www.tedcruz.org/news/cruz-accepts-invitations-debate-indiana/>]

HEADLINE: “Cruz For President Announces Pennsylvania Leadership Team And County Chairs.” [Press Release, Ted Cruz for President, 4/25/16<https://www.tedcruz.org/news/cruz-president-announces-pennsylvania-leadership-team-county-chairs/>]

Ted Cruz Announced His Pennsylvania Leadership Team Chaired By Lowman Henry, Chairman And CEO Of The Lincoln Institute Of Public Opinion Research, Inc. “Presidential candidate Ted Cruz today announced his Pennsylvania Leadership Team consisting of statewide leaders, county chairs, and delegate candidates from across the state. The team is led by State Chairman Lowman Henry, Chairman and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc., a nonprofit public policy foundation based in Harrisburg, PA. Also providing invaluable insight to the team is Vonne Andring, who has worked on campaigns of every level throughout the state. ‘We have an exceptional team of grassroots leaders in Pennsylvania that is helping to coalesce conservatives and unite the Republican Party around our campaign,’ said Cruz. ‘They have been tireless advocates for freedom and restoring the Constitution, and I deeply appreciate their dedication to helping our campaign throughout the Keystone State.’ ‘Since Pennsylvania’s delegates are unbound and elected on the same ballot as the presidential candidates, having a strong, devoted grassroots team is very important here,’ said State Chairman Lowman Henry. ‘We have been working tirelessly to ensure that the voters know which delegates will be supporting Ted Cruz at the convention, and are devoting time and effort to make sure they are elected.’” [Press Release, Ted Cruz for President, 4/25/16<https://www.tedcruz.org/news/cruz-president-announces-pennsylvania-leadership-team-county-chairs/>]

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz Says He Won More Votes In Wisconsin Than Donald Trump Did In New York.” [Politifact, 4/25/16<http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/apr/25/ted-cruz/ted-cruz-says-he-won-more-votes-wisconsin-donald-t/>]

Politifact Rated Ted Cruz’s Claim That Earned More Votes In Wisconsin Than Donald Trump Did In New York “True.” “Cruz said, ‘I earned more votes in the state of Wisconsin than Donald Trump did in New York.’ This is certainly a glass-half-full way of looking at the results, but factually, Cruz is on target. We rate his statement True.” [Politifact, 4/25/16<http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/apr/25/ted-cruz/ted-cruz-says-he-won-more-votes-wisconsin-donald-t/>]

HEADLINE: “Cruz Campaign Vetting Carly For VP.” [Weekly Standard, 4/25/16<http://www.weeklystandard.com/article/2002115>]

Ted Cruz’s Campaign Confirmed That It Was Vetting Carly Fiorina For Vice-President. “Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign is vetting Carly Fiorina as a potential running mate, THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned. According to a spokeswoman for Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO and one-time presidential candidate is being vetted by Cruz's campaign. ‘Normal stuff,’ said Sarah Isgur Flores, who served as deputy campaign manager during Fiorina's bid, when asked about the process. She added that Fiorina has met with members of the Cruz campaign and has given them financial disclosures and other documentation. Flores added that ‘no offers’ have been made. … Update: Cruz campaign spokeswoman Alice Stewart provided a statement to TWS. ‘We've already announced publicly that we're vetting prospecting VP nominees, but no selection has been made yet. When that decision has been made, we will share it.’” [Weekly Standard, 4/25/16<http://www.weeklystandard.com/article/2002115>]

Ted Cruz Campaign Chairman Chad Sweet Confirmed They Were Vetting Carly Fiorina For Vice-President. “Ted Cruz's campaign is vetting a list of potential vice-presidential choices including Carly Fiorina, an indication that the campaign could choose a running mate while he continues to battle for the GOP nomination. The Texas senator is considering naming Fiorina, a prominent Cruz surrogate and a former GOP White House rival, as his running mate, a Cruz campaign adviser confirmed Monday. Presumptive nominees typically vet many possible vice presidents, asking them for extensive financial documents and thoroughly investigating their backgrounds. ‘He is vetting a number of solid candidates, and certainly Ms. Fiorina is absolutely one of them,’ Chad Sweet, Cruz's campaign chairperson, told CNN's Jake Tapper on ‘The Lead.’ ‘She's one of the most talented business leaders of modern times.’
Fiorina aide Sarah Isgur Flores also confirmed that the former Hewlett-Packard CEO was being vetted for a possible pick on a Cruz ticket. Cruz and top Cruz aides Monday sought to end a day of news reports about Cruz's veepstakes, downplaying any vetting as a normal part a fall campaign plan. Cruz himself preached prudence.” [CNN, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-vice-president-carly-fiorina/>]

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz Considering Carly Fiorina For Vice President.” [Dallas Morning News, 4/25/16<http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/ted-cruz-considering-carly-fiorina-for-vice-president.html/>]

Ted Cruz Donor Doug Deason Wanted John Kasich To Be Cruz’s Vice-President. “Ted Cruz and John Kasich camped out just a few conference rooms apart from one another at the posh Diplomat resort in Hollywood, Florida, last Wednesday, each deploying a lobbying blitz in an effort to get Republican National Committee members and state party leaders to back their bids to defeat Donald Trump. Their top advisers met, too — with one another. It was a meeting that would put an end to weeks of entreaties, rejections and consideration. A meeting that would finally hammer out the details of a deal meant to upend the GOP presidential race by dividing up their efforts in three primary states to create one-on-one races versus Trump. Kasich pulled out of Indiana; Cruz is leaving New Mexico and Oregon. The talks led by Cruz campaign manager Jeff Roe and Kasich chief strategist John Weaver were blessed by both and the final details were agreed to by the candidates, according to officials with direct knowledge of both campaign operations. It was a plan also lauded by the cash-rich outside groups seeking to stop Trump joined with some individuals supporters in calling for even more robust action. ‘Now I believe Cruz and Kasich should make it official and make him the VP candidate to Cruz,’ Cruz megadonor Doug Deason said, adding that he'd pitched the idea to the campaign. ‘He needs to get out of the race but this plan is better than no plan! They should definitely join forces at the convention with Kasich as vice president.’” [CNN, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-john-kasich-joined-forces/index.html>]

Ted Cruz And John Kasich’s Campaign Considered Coordinating Their Efforts In California By Congressional District. “Aides in both campaigns struggled to lay out exactly what their new normal looked like as they get their heads around the fact they're, for all intents and purposes, in cahoots with a competitor. And more may be on the way. A Kasich adviser said conversations about how to split up the all-important congressional districts in California's June 7 primary are in the works.” [CNN, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/ted-cruz-john-kasich-joined-forces/index.html>]

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz Compared Transgender People To Donald Trump Dressing Like Hillary Clinton.” [BuzzFeed, 4/24/16<https://www.buzzfeed.com/maryanngeorgantopoulos/cruz-if-donald-trump-dresses-up-as-hillary-clinton-he-should#.uf3ea3mMG>]

Ted Cruz: “So Let Me Make Things Real Simple: Even If Donald Trump Dresses Up As Hillary Clinton, He Shouldn’t Be Using The Girls’ Restroom.” “In campaign stops over the weekend ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections in six states, Ted Cruz bashed Donald Trump for his opposition to North Carolina’s anti-LGBT bathroom bill. Trump came out against the bill, which bars transgender people from certain bathrooms, on Thursday, saying people should use the bathroom ‘they feel is appropriate.’
At a rally in Lebanon, Indiana, on Saturday, Cruz said he wanted to give an analogy that was ‘real, real simple for the folks in the media who find this conversation very confusing.’ ‘So let me make things real simple: Even if Donald Trump dresses up as Hillary Clinton, he shouldn’t be using the girls’ restroom,’ the Texas senator said. Cruz laughed and apologized to the audience for giving them a mental image of ‘Donald in a bright blue pantsuit.’” [BuzzFeed, 4/24/16<https://www.buzzfeed.com/maryanngeorgantopoulos/cruz-if-donald-trump-dresses-up-as-hillary-clinton-he-should#.uf3ea3mMG>]

HEADLINE: “Ted Cruz’s Claim That Obama Is Forcing Schools To ‘Let Teenage Boys Shower With Teenage Girls’”. [Washington Post, 4/26/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/04/26/ted-cruzs-claim-that-obama-is-forcing-schools-to-let-teenage-boys-shower-with-teenage-girls/>]

Washington Post: “When Cruz Says Teenage Boys Are Forced To Shower With Teenage Girls, He Uses Slippery Language.” “Cruz says the Obama administration is forcing schools to adopt its transgender policies. It is clear that the Obama administration has been enforcing its interpretation of Title IX on school districts – as it is the department’s job. The Department of Education has sided with the student in the Grimm case, which is still an ongoing legal case. If the transgender student wins the lawsuit in that case, it could have major implications for school districts in other states. To be clear, the Education Department is not suing any schools, and Cruz is incorrect on that point. When Cruz says teenage boys are forced to shower with teenage girls, he uses slippery language. He is referring to transgender girls (born as boys) showering with non-transgender girls (born as girls). The Obama administration’s interpretation does support that: giving transgender boys and girls access to the bathrooms of the gender with which they identify. But this could also be interpreted by the public as if Cruz is referring to non-transgender boys showering with non-transgender girls. Opponents of the law say this is the danger of actions like that of the Obama administration. But even in schools that have to allow transgender students to use facilities that correspond with their gender identity, there are still opportunities for any students to maintain privacy by using a private facility or being separated by curtains. This is a classic case of a politician using rhetoric to obfuscate and simplify a complex issue, earning him Two Pinocchios.” [Washington Post, 4/26/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/04/26/ted-cruzs-claim-that-obama-is-forcing-schools-to-let-teenage-boys-shower-with-teenage-girls/>]

HEADLINE: “Rafael Cruz: ‘Indiana Has Become Ground Zero’ For Ted Cruz.” [Breitbart, 4/26/16<http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/04/26/rafael-cruz-indiana-has-become-ground-zero-for-ted-cruz/>]

Rafael Cruz: Indiana Primary Is “Ground Zero.” “‘Indiana has become ground zero,’ Rafael Cruz, father of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Breitbart News Daily SiriusXM host Stephen K. Bannon on Tuesday. ‘The people of Indiana have the opportunity and the privilege and the awesome responsibility to perhaps decide who the next president of the United States will be. And I would encourage the people of Indiana to take that responsibility seriously,’ he added. ‘If Indiana votes according to their values, there’s only one choice, and that choice is Sen Ted Cruz,’ he said.  ‘The election is going to boil down to one word — trust. Who can you trust to do exactly what they say they’re going to do? And Ted Cruz has a record of doing that 100 percent of the time.’ ‘If Indiana votes for Ted Cruz, Donald Trump will not be able to win the nomination on the first ballot. And if he doesn’t win the nomination on the first ballot, people will flock to Ted Cruz beyond the first ballot and Ted Cruz will become the Republican nominee,’ he added.” [Breitbart, 4/26/16<http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/04/26/rafael-cruz-indiana-has-become-ground-zero-for-ted-cruz/>]

Rafael Cruz: Hillary Clinton “Will Destroy This Country.” “Earlier today on ‘Breitbart News Daily,’ Rafael Cruz made the case for the presidential candidacy of his son, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, by citing a new survey which found that ‘40% of Republicans polled said that they would not support the party’s nominee if Donald Trump wins’ the GOP nomination. Trump, Rafael Cruz claimed, ‘is totally unelectable’ and ‘anyone that votes for Donald Trump in the primary, they’re basically voting to have Hillary Clinton as the next president.’ ‘If Trump gets the nomination, that ensures that Hillary Clinton becomes the next president,’ he continued. ‘If Hillary Clinton is the next president, she will destroy this country.’ Cruz went on to compare Trump to President Obama, a high insult in the GOP contest, saying that ‘we do not need another imperial president that will try to impose his will like we’ve had for the last seven years.’” [Right Wing Watch, 4/26/16<http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/rafael-cruz-if-hillary-clinton-next-president-she-will-destroy-country>]

Ted Cruz: “Where We Are Now, Nobody Is Going To Get To 1,237.” HANNITY: “All right, let's talk a little bit about the whole delegate strategy because you believe this will be a contested convention. Mathematically, it would be very hard for you to get to 1,237, maybe after tomorrow impossible. So the question is, why are you so confident it'll be a contested convention? And what's the strategy? Walk us through the strategy of how you think you win the nomination in that environment.” CRUZ: “Sure, Sean. Where we are now, nobody is going to get to 1,237. The only way to win the nomination is to earn a majority of the delegates, and nobody's going to do that. I'm not going to do it, but neither is Donald Trump, which means we're headed into a contested convention. We'll go into Cleveland. I'll have a ton of delegates. He'll have a ton of delegates. And it's going to be a battle to see who can earn the support from a majority of the delegates elected by the people.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz: “I Think At A Contested Convention We Are Going To Earn The Support, Build Together And Unify The Party, Earn The Support Of The Majority Of The Delegates, Win The Nomination, And Then We're Going To Go On And Beat Hillary Clinton In November.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz Would Not Say If Indiana Was A Must-Win. SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: “Donald Trump has a big lead going into tomorrow's five states. You're in Indiana. Is Indiana now must-win for you, do you think, to get to that place? Is it that important?” CRUZ: “Well, Indiana is certainly a very important state. You know, obviously last week Donald won his home state of New York. Lot of folks in the media went crazy with excitement that he won his home state. You know, look, everyone expected Donald to win his home state. The three weeks that preceded that, a total of five states voted. We had voting, we had Utah, North Dakota, we had Wisconsin, we had Colorado, we had Wyoming. And in those five states, 1.3 million people voted and we won five landslides in a row one after the other after the other, five landslides in a row. I think that's indicative of the party uniting. Now, tomorrow as you mentioned, we got some northeastern primaries. It may be a good night for Donald. Those states tend to be more aligned with New York. They tend to be more on the left end of the spectrum. So he may have a good night. But then right after tomorrow the race is going to shift back west. And as it shifts back west, there are a lot of states I think are going to be very good. It shifts to Indiana, shifts to North Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and then the big enchilada of California. And California has 172 delegates. And I believe we're going to do very well in California.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz: “The American People Are Fed Up With The Obama/Clinton Stagnation.” SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: “Welcome back to HANNITY as we continue with 2016 GOP Republican presidential candidate Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Senator, I don't know if you saw this. There's one in five families in the United States, one in five, that -- or 20 percent -- in which not one person in the family is working. Now, we keep hearing from the administration, oh, the unemployment rate is going down. They don't count the long-term unemployed, the chronically unemployed. How bad is this?” CRUZ: “Yes. Sean, people are hurting all across the country, and I believe the most important issue in this entire election is jobs and economic growth. My number one priority as president will be jobs and economic growth, and it's the reason our message is resonating so powerfully here in Indiana. It's the reason our message is resonating in Pennsylvania, in Maryland, and all across the country. The American people are fed up with the Obama/Clinton stagnation. As you know, we've got the lowest percentage of Americans working of any year since 1977.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz: “What I Will Do As President Is Follow The Path That JFK And Reagan Blazed.” SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: “Welcome back to HANNITY as we continue with 2016 GOP Republican presidential candidate Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Senator, I don't know if you saw this. There's one in five families in the United States, one in five, that -- or 20 percent -- in which not one person in the family is working. Now, we keep hearing from the administration, oh, the unemployment rate is going down. They don't count the long-term unemployed, the chronically unemployed. How bad is this?” CRUZ: “Yes. Sean, people are hurting all across the country, and I believe the most important issue in this entire election is jobs and economic growth. My number one priority as president will be jobs and economic growth, and it's the reason our message is resonating so powerfully here in Indiana. It's the reason our message is resonating in Pennsylvania, in Maryland, and all across the country. The American people are fed up with the Obama/Clinton stagnation. As you know, we've got the lowest percentage of Americans working of any year since 1977. And, you know, it's -- every candidate talks about economic growth, but I'm the only candidate with a real concrete policy solution to bringing back growth. The key to growth is small businesses. What both JFK and Ronald Reagan understood is that when you cut taxes and reduce regulations on small businesses you get millions and millions of new high- paying jobs. And so what I will do as president is follow the path that JFK and Reagan blazed. We're going it repeal every word of Obamacare. We're going to pass a simple flat tax, abolish the IRS, rein in the regulators, stop the war on coal, and we're going to stop amnesty and end sanctuary cities. And with respect to that, there's going to be millions of new jobs.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz: “12 Million People Here Illegally Takes Jobs From Americans And Drives Down Wages For Everyone.” HANNITY: “We got new numbers from the border patrol. And 2014 was a record in terms of the illegal immigration, and border patrol released Friday statistics that show that illegal immigrants coming into this country is up 40 percent on top of that. That Minnesota guy that wanted to join ISIS, he literally described plans of ISIS coming through our southern border to commit acts of terror in the United States, and still Republicans, Democrats, they still haven't built the wall that they've been promising for years.” CRUZ: “Look, that is exactly right. Illegal immigration is a crisis. It's a national security crisis. It's a law enforcement crisis. But it's also an economic crisis -- 12 million people here illegally takes jobs from Americans and drives down wages for everyone. And I am the only candidate in this race who has been leading the fight against amnesty and against immigration for years. As president, I will build a wall, will triple the border patrol, will increase fourfold the fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. We will put in a strong e-Verify system at the workplace so you can't get a job without demonstrating you're here legally. We'll put in place a biometric exit- entry system so visa holders can overstay. We will end sanctuary cities. And the way we'll do that is we'll cut off the federal taxpayer funds to any jurisdictions that defy federal immigration laws. And we're going to end welfare benefits for those here illegally.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz On Felon Voting Rights: “I Don't Know Any Reasonable Person Who Looks At Our Democracy And Says The Thing We Need Is More Murderers Voting, More Rapists Voting, More Violent Criminals Voting.” HANNITY: “What do you make of Governor McAuliffe of Virginia allowing felons to vote in this election, and by the way in what is a very purple state by any standard, 206,000, including violent felons, giving them the right again to vote? Do you think that's an effort, illegal effort to help Hillary? You know the constitution and law as well as anybody.” CRUZ: “Listen, Terry McAuliffe has always been a political animal. And it's not complicated that he's acting to try to help Hillary Clinton. I don't know any reasonable person who looks at our democracy and says the thing we need is more murderers voting, more rapists voting, more violent criminals voting. I don't think that makes a whole lot of sense.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Ted Cruz: “We're The Saudi Arabia Of Coal. We're The Saudi Arabia Of Natural Gas. Let's Develop Our Resources, Drive Down Energy Prices, And Bring Back Manufacturing Jobs.” CRUZ: “But at the end of the day, what this election is going to be about is it's going to be a referendum about the path we're on, the Obama/Clinton path, the Obama/Clinton economy isn't working. And people want to get back to the system that works. People want to see manufacturing jobs coming back to Pennsylvania, coming back to Indiana. People want to see energy explored. People want to see coal. Stop this war on coal. We're the Saudi Arabia of coal. We're the Saudi Arabia of natural gas. Let's develop our resources, drive down energy prices, and bring back manufacturing jobs. That's my priority.” [Fox Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

DONALD TRUMP

HEADLINE: “Trump Goes For 5-State Sweep: But Just Winning Won’t Be Enough. The Front-Runner Needs Blowouts.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/trump-primaries-pennsylvania-delaware-maryland-connectict-rhode-island-222426#ixzz46x9Hev1d>]

Trump: “Every Single Thing We Do Is Wrong… People Are So Tired And So Sick Of Incompetent Politicians. That's Why I'm Doing Well.” TRUMP: “People are so tired of horrible trade deals, military that doesn't beat ISIS, that should beat them in a week. Just every single thing we do is wrong. You look at what's going on. Our taxes are too high. Social security is being absolutely decimated. They all want to kill social security. I'm the only one -- we're going to make our country rich. We'll be able to afford social security. People are so tired and so sick of incompetent politicians. That's why I'm doing well.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump On His Path To The Nomination Despite A “Rigged” System: “Like The Fighter, You Have To Go Into The Ring And Knock Them Out.”  TRUMP: “It looks like collusion. It proves my words that it's a rigged system. You see it's a rigged system. These are two insiders. They get together, they want to rig the system against the guy who's going to make America great again. I'm going to make great trade deals and they don't want that, because they're protecting the people on the other side of the deals. They want the deals to be good, and there are so many things happening. It's a rigged system. In certain ways it's corrupt and people are understanding. It's a whole -- the whole delegate system is a sham. Despite that I'm winning by a lot of delegates and winning by millions of votes. Like the fighter, you have to go into the ring and knock them out.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump: “Tom [Brady] Is Such A Great Guy. Hopefully They Can Settle It Now, Cut [His Suspension] In Half And Get Back To Business.” QUESTION: “Pretty clear where you stand on the -- on the Mr. Brady business.” TRUMP: “Well, he's a good friend of mine, he's a great guy. You know, it's a shame that this had to do go on. This could have been -- this could have been settled a long time ago. The NFL spent tens of millions on legal fees. I looked at the numbers it was crazy what they spent. But it's a very sad thing. Tom is such a great guy. Hopefully they can settle it now, cut it in half and get back to business.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump Predicted Johnny Manziel Was “Going To Be Really Good” In The NFL. TRUMP: “Teams are making a big mistake not taking Johnny Manziel - he is going to be really good (and exciting to watch).” [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/8/14<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/464595378990747650>]

Trump Promised To “Bring Back Clean Coal” And “Bring Back Our Manufacturing.” TRUMP: “We’re going to bring back your business. The business is being ripped apart in Pennsylvania. You look at what’s going on with steel. You look at what’s going on with coal. Coal is just being decimated, the miners, the jobs and we’re going to bring back clean coal and not just send it to China. We send to our coal to China. They use it but we can’t use it. We’re going to bring back our manufacturing, which is down 45-50 percent in Pennsylvania. It’s crazy. It’s just crazy. It’s been all taken out by China, by companies moving to Mexico and I’m going to stop them.” [Rich Zeoli Radio Show, 1210 WPHT (Philadelphia), 4/25/16]

Trump Called President Obama “Incompetent” For Going To Europe To Make A Pitch For The U.S. To Get The Olympics Without Knowing Ahead Of Time The U.S. Would Get The Bid. TRUMP: “See you another time. I remember a case not so long ago when the president flew to Europe to make that pitch. Now, this is the president of the United States he made of a pitch for the Olympics to come to the United States. I think that’s great. I like that. But if you were the president, you don't go over there to make a pitch and not win. If you were the president you have to know the answer before you go over. So you call and say, ‘I’m the president and I am going to go there, but between us are we going to win?’ They will tell you, ‘You will be in fourth place.’ I say, ‘Thank you I appreciate that. I will not go.’ We are dealing with babies. So we have the president of the United States go to make up pitch for the Olympics we didn't come in first or second I think it was fourth. Who does that? Are we dealing with babies? When you are the president of the United States and you want to get the Olympics to come to this country and go over there and don't know the answer before hand? You are incompetent. You are incompetent. Totally incompetent.” [Campaign Rally, Wilkes-Barre PA, 4/25/16] [Part 2 – 3:10]

HEADLINE: “Donald Trump Signs Playboy Magazine With Him On The Cover.” [CNN, 4/25/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/politics/donald-trump-signs-playboy-cover/>]

Trump Said Bernie Sanders Should “Run As An Independent.” TRUMP: “Bernie Sanders has been treated terribly by the Democrats—both with delegates & otherwise. He should show them, and run as an Independent!” [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 4/26/16<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/724993336000532480>]

HEADLINE: “Anaheim City Council To Consider Resolution Denouncing Donald Trump.” [Los Angeles Times, 4/25/16<http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-anaheim-trump-20160425-story.html>]

Trump: “I Would Have The Most Capable People In My Cabinet. But I Would Have Women.” QUESTION: “What about your cabinet, would you have women in your cabinet?” TRUMP: “Absolutely. I would have women. I would have the most capable people in my cabinet. But I would have women.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16] [7:00]

Endorsements
Trump Announced Bobby Knight Would Be Endorsing Him In Indiana. TRUMP: “The people of Indiana are smart they know I have been speaking for months of the horrible treatment of carrier air-conditioning gave to the people that worked for that and Indianapolis when they said you were all fired. We are moving to Mexico. I have been talking about this long before realized how important Indiana would be to the process. And the people in Indiana are smart. I have one of the great endorsements of all time. And refused to say it is Bobby Knight, but it is Bobby knight. He is great. A great endorsement he knows how to win he is smart that is where he is endorsing me.” [Campaign Rally, Wilkes-Barre PA, 4/25/16]

HEADLINE: “Carson: I Support Trump Because I Believe In Science.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/ben-carson-trump-science-222452#ixzz46xHTsGS9>]

Ben Carson Said He Supported Trump Because He Has “Grown Up In The World Of Science, Where, You Know, We Do Things Based On Evidence And On Facts, And When You Look At The Pathway That The Other People Have, It Only Works Through A Brokered Convention.” “Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson maintained Tuesday that he fully supports Donald Trump because, well, science. ‘I fully support him, but, you know, what I was saying is that I’m pragmatic,’ Carson told Fox News. ‘You know, I’ve grown up in the world of science, where, you know, we do things based on evidence and on facts, and when you look at the pathway that the other people have, it only works through a brokered convention.’” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/ben-carson-trump-science-222452#ixzz46xHTsGS9>]

Trade
Trump Claimed He Told His Supporters In Washington To Delay Approval Of The Trans Pacific Partnership So He Could Kill The Trade Deal As President. TRUMP: “You look at what NAFTA did. Now they’re working on the Trans Pacific Partnership, which is going to be even worse and they just can’t let it happen. I told all of my supporters—we have tremendous support in Washington—I said, ‘Delay that thing so we can kill it.’” [Rich Zeoli Radio Show, 1210 WPHT (Philadelphia), 4/25/16]

Foreign Policy
Trump Criticized President Obama’s Announcement Of Deploying 250 Special Forces To Fight ISIS: “He Shouldn't Be Announcing It Because They Have A Target On Their Back.” QUESTION: “Let me start if I may about the announcement that you were sending 250 special forces to Syria”… TRUMP: “First of all, he shouldn't be announcing it because they have a target on their back. 250 people, the enemy which is not stupid is now looking for the 250 people. He shouldn't be announcing it. He's got to announce when he's sending. Four months ago it was 50 people. We're sending 50 people. The enemy has a target. He ought to be quiet and win this thing.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump Said President Obama Was Fighting ISIS In The Wrong Way: “It's The Wrong Attitude. It's The Wrong Strategy. Everything Is Wrong With It. Every Single Thing Is Wrong With It.” QUESTION: “Let me start if I may about the announcement that you were sending 250 special forces to Syria… What about the rules of engagement?” TRUMP: “Look, the way he's fighting this war he's not going to win. It's the wrong attitude. It's the wrong strategy. Everything is wrong with it. Every single thing is wrong with it. You have to knock out ISIS and you have to knock them out fast. They're chopping off heads. They're drowning people. They're taking over tremendous amounts of territory. They have now taken over the oil in Libya. So they now have some of the finest oil in the world. We're doing nothing about it. You have to knock them out fast.” QUESTION: “Knock them out without revealing your strategy.” TRUMP: “You have to be quiet. You have to be unpredictable. You know, we're so predictable. We're sending in 250 people. Can you imagine like General George Patton saying, ‘We're sending this, we're sending that.’ He wouldn't talk, he'd just knock the hell old of them. It would be over in a week.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump Criticized Obama’s Strategy For Defeating ISIS And Described His Alternative Approach:  “You Have To Knock Them Out Fast… You Have To Be Quiet. You Have To Be Unpredictable.” QUESTION: “Let me start if I may about the announcement that you were sending 250 special forces to Syria… What about the rules of engagement?” TRUMP: “Look, the way he's fighting this war he's not going to win. It's the wrong attitude. It's the wrong strategy. Everything is wrong with it. Every single thing is wrong with it. You have to knock out ISIS and you have to knock them out fast. They're chopping off heads. They're drowning people. They're taking over tremendous amounts of territory. They have now taken over the oil in Libya. So they now have some of the finest oil in the world. We're doing nothing about it. You have to knock them out fast.” QUESTION: “Knock them out without revealing your strategy.” TRUMP: “You have to be quiet. You have to be unpredictable. You know, we're so predictable. We're sending in 250 people. Can you imagine like General George Patton saying, ‘We're sending this, we're sending that.’ He wouldn't talk, he'd just knock the hell old of them. It would be over in a week.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump: “Saddam Hussein Would Hit Somebody With Gas, People Would Be Complaining.” TRUMP: “Here comes ISIS to take the oil and I have been saying for years. Keep the oil. Don't let them have the oil. I didn't want to go with the first place, but I said, ‘If you're going to go out take the oil.’ Because if you don't Iran will get the oil. So who has the will? Iran and ISIS. Which I the way for years and years was the same military strength. They fight three or four years. Boom, boom,  they would go home and rest. Then they fight three or four years. Boom, boom. Then Saddam Hussein would hit somebody with gas, people would be complaining. Then the others would hit-- then they move 10 feet, 10 feet. Then  we destroyed the military capability of one of the two and now Iran is taking over Iraq as sure as you are standing here.” [Campaign Rally, Wilkes-Barre PA, 4/25/16]

HEADLINE: “Trump At War: How The Military Is Preparing For The Possibility Of A Very Different Kind Of Commander In Chief.” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

Trump: “I've Had A Lot Of Wars Of My Own. I'm Really Good At War.” TRUMP: “This is the Trump theory on war. But I'm good at war. I've had a lot of wars of my own. I'm really good at war. I love war, in a certain way. But only when we win." [Campaign Rally, Fort Dodge IA, 11/12/15]

Trump: “I Love War, In A Certain Way. But Only When We Win." TRUMP: “This is the Trump theory on war. But I'm good at war. I've had a lot of wars of my own. I'm really good at war. I love war, in a certain way. But only when we win." [Campaign Rally, Fort Dodge IA, 11/12/15]

Trump: “I Know More About ISIS Than The Generals Do. Believe Me.” [Campaign Rally, Fort Dodge IA, 11/12/15]

National Security Officials Said They Were “Terrified,” “Shocked,” And “Appalled” By Trump’s Proximity To The White House While Having Such Little Respect For The Military. “Trump’s pronouncements on foreign policy, combined with his years of broadsides, have set off a very real fear within military circles about what might happen were he to become president. In the last two months, I spoke with dozens of people in the national security realm—current and retired officers, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and former White House, State Department, Pentagon and CIA officials. The words they used to describe their mood: Terrified. Shocked. Appalled. Never before, they say, has a candidate gotten so close to the White House with such little respect for the military. ’He completely misunderstands the military profession that he would head if he were the president,’ said Robert Killebrew, a retired colonel who served in the Army for more than 30 years. Others were less polite. In a pair of ads produced by the American Future Fund, a retired Special Forces commander named Michael Waltz calls Trump a draft-dodger who ‘hasn’t served this country a day in his life,’ and a Vietnam veteran, Tom Hanton, says that Trump’s quip about POWs was “the most infuriating comment I think I’ve heard from a politician in my entire life.’ One former Marine infantry officer described Trump to me as a ‘fake-bake-ing chicken hawk’ whose ‘knowledge of the Middle East could be trumped (sorry) by your average Georgetown sophomore.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

Retired Army Colonel Robert Killebrew: “He Completely Misunderstands The Military Profession That He Would Head If He Were The President.” “’He completely misunderstands the military profession that he would head if he were the president,’ said Robert Killebrew, a retired colonel who served in the Army for more than 30 years. Others were less polite. In a pair of ads produced by the American Future Fund, a retired Special Forces commander named Michael Waltz calls Trump a draft-dodger who ‘hasn’t served this country a day in his life,’ and a Vietnam veteran, Tom Hanton, says that Trump’s quip about POWs was “the most infuriating comment I think I’ve heard from a politician in my entire life.’ One former Marine infantry officer described Trump to me as a ‘fake-bake-ing chicken hawk’ whose ‘knowledge of the Middle East could be trumped (sorry) by your average Georgetown sophomore.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

Trump’s Foreign Policy Advisers Were Described As “Weirdo Nobodies” By A Military Historian And  As “Probably The Least Qualified Group Of Foreign Policy And National Security Advisers I’ve Ever Seen Or Even Heard Of” By A Civil-Military Relations Expert. “Trump’s chosen foreign policy advisers—which include a 2009 college graduate who touted his experience in the Model U.N. on his online résumé and another who used Kanye West lyrics to make arguments on his foreign policy blog—have only stoked these anxieties. ‘Weirdo nobodies,’ was how one military historian characterized them to me.’ They’re probably the least qualified group of foreign policy and national security advisers I’ve ever seen or even heard of,’ said Richard Kohn, an expert in civil-military relations and retired professor at the University of North Carolina. A source with firsthand knowledge told me that Trump’s campaign pursued retired General David Petraeus, Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, but all three men declined. In a TV appearance not long afterward, Trump said he wouldn’t hesitate to replace the members of his military team if they didn’t agree with him. (Trump’s campaign didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.)” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

The Trump Campaign Pursued General David Petraeus, Scholar Daniel Pipes, And Ambassador John Bolton For His Foreign Policy Team, But All Three Declined. “Trump’s chosen foreign policy advisers—which include a 2009 college graduate who touted his experience in the Model U.N. on his online résumé and another who used Kanye West lyrics to make arguments on his foreign policy blog—have only stoked these anxieties. ‘Weirdo nobodies,’ was how one military historian characterized them to me.’ They’re probably the least qualified group of foreign policy and national security advisers I’ve ever seen or even heard of,’ said Richard Kohn, an expert in civil-military relations and retired professor at the University of North Carolina. A source with firsthand knowledge told me that Trump’s campaign pursued retired General David Petraeus, Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, but all three men declined. In a TV appearance not long afterward, Trump said he wouldn’t hesitate to replace the members of his military team if they didn’t agree with him. (Trump’s campaign didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.)” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

As President, Trump Would Inherit A Group Of Military Leaders That Were Unlikely To Respond Well To Trump’s Management Style, And In Some Cases, Had Criticized Trump’s National Security Proposals. “While he gets to appoint both the secretary of defense as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the latter is an apolitical figure, not a partisan official. The incoming White House typically inherits the previous administration's chair of the Joint Chiefs (the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard and Marines) and combatant commanders… The military leaders that Trump would inherit are, by all indications, less forceful personalities than Powell, Petraeus or McChrystal, but it’s hard to imagine them responding well to this kind of behavior. The current Joint Chiefs chairman, Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, is known as an especially skillful operator able to bridge the diplomatic and military worlds, with a low-key demeanor that helped to win over Obama. And in recent months, Dunford has found subtle ways to signal disapproval of Trump’s statements. When he was asked during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing about Trump’s support for torture and attacking the families of suspected terrorists, Dunford didn’t mention Trump by name, but observed that such orders would have an ‘adverse effect’ on ‘the morale of the force’ and ‘aren’t legal for them to do anyway.’ He also pushed back against Trump’s assertion that NATO was ‘very obsolete’ by telling reporters, ‘In my mind, the relevance of NATO is not at all in question.’ In an indication of how much Trump’s statements on national security have triggered intense debate within the military, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has made it clear he doesn’t want officials weighing in on campaign politics.” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

CIA Director Brennan And Former CIA General Counsel Rizzo Said The Agency Would Refuse To Execute Trump’s Orders Involving Waterboarding And Other Torture Techniques. “The nation’s intelligence agencies have also been gripped by similar anxieties about the prospect of a Trump presidency. CIA Director John Brennan recently told NBC News that he would refuse to execute orders from a future president to use waterboarding. John Rizzo, the former CIA general counsel who worked at the agency for 35 years, told me that the employees he still spoke with were ‘terrified’ at the prospect of reopening the debates over the use of waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques. ‘Deep concern is a mild way of putting the prospect of their commander in chief basically ordering them to go down this road again given all the trauma,’ he said. If Trump won and followed through on his proposals, Rizzo predicted an employee ‘exodus.’ ’At a minimum,’ he went on, ‘people would refuse to participate in anything resembling the former interrogation program and insist on a transfer to another part of the agency where they wouldn’t be involved in these things.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

Active-Duty Officers Said They Would Resign Or Retire Rather Than Serve Under A Trump Presidency. “After the letter was published, McGrath said, he heard from numerous active-duty officers voicing disgust for Trump. One junior officer said he would be duty-bound to resign his commission if Trump were elected. A more senior officer wrote to say, in McGrath’s words, that ‘if [Trump] thinks that I am going to carry out an unlawful order, he has another thing coming.’ Max Boot, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told me in an email that he had also heard from an officer who said ‘he’d retire sooner than serve under President Trump.’ I recently spoke to a 32-year-old Army reservist named John Ford, a captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Ford told me that he hadn’t taken Trump seriously as a candidate at the start of the year. But then Trump’s victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina solidified his first-place slot in polls for the GOP primary, and Ford started thinking in some detail about the unthinkable. ‘I would probably not resign right away’ if Trump were elected, he told me. ‘I would see to what extent Congress can keep him in check.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

HEADLINE: “Trump Aims To Prove Critics Wrong In Foreign Policy Speech.” [Bloomberg, 4/26/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-26/trump-aims-to-prove-critics-wrong-in-foreign-policy-speech>]

Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, Compared Trump’s Rhetoric To Mussolini And Hitler. “Some foreign allies have expressed dismay at many of Trump's proposals. ‘There have been episodes in human history, unfortunately, where these expressions of this strident rhetoric have only led to very ominous situations in the history of humanity,’ Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto told the Excelsior newspaper in regard to Trump's assurances that his country would pay for a border wall. ‘That’s how Mussolini got in, that's how Hitler got in, they took advantage of a situation, a problem perhaps, which humanity was going through at the time, after an economic crisis.’” [Bloomberg, 4/26/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-26/trump-aims-to-prove-critics-wrong-in-foreign-policy-speech>]

Foreign Policy Commentator Peter Beinart Said Trump’s Foreign Policy Was “Zero-Sum” And “Combines Militarism With Isolationism.” “’It combines militarism with isolationism,’ said Peter Beinart, a foreign policy commentator and professor at the City University of New York. ‘It's a very zero-sum idea of what is best for America—our enemies should be attacked ferociously but with no real interest in the context which the enemies [arise], no interest in trying to shape the societies. There's a zero-sum mentality that we're getting screwed by our trading partners and we need to be tougher on them.’” [Bloomberg, 4/26/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-26/trump-aims-to-prove-critics-wrong-in-foreign-policy-speech>]

Former CIA Director Hayden Said Hillary Clinton Was Better Prepared Than Donald Trump To Be Commander-In-Chief. “But Hayden — spectacled spy eyes dancing behind a blank-page technocrat’s mien — knew he’d dodged a more interesting question: It doesn’t look like Kasich is going to win — so who is your second choice? ‘No. 2 … in the narrowly defined national-security lane — I’m not talking about all the stuff to the right and all the stuff to the left — No. 2 right now, best prepared from Day One: Secretary Clinton,’ he told me, in roundabout fashion, during a 45-minute sit-down for POLITICO’s ‘Off Message’ podcast last Friday.” [Politico, 3/28/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/off-message-michael-hayden-hillary-clinton-2016-221276#ixzz46wwvD7a9>]

HEADLINE: “Italy’s Most Racist Politician Comes To Philly To Help Donald Trump.” [Daily Beast, 4/26/16<http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/26/italy-s-most-racist-politician-comes-to-philly-to-help-donald-trump.html>]

Veterans
July 2015: As Part Of Trump’s Promise To Take Care Of Veterans, His Campaign Launched A Hotline For Veterans To Share Their Ideas About How To Overhaul The Veterans Affairs Bureaucracy. “When Donald Trump launched his bid for the White House, one of his earliest initiatives was a promise to help Americans who had gone to war for their country. Or, as his campaign put it, to take care of ‘all Veteran complaints very quickly and efficiently like a world-class business man can do, but a politician has no clue.’ Last summer, about a month after declaring his candidacy, Trump unveiled a hotline for veterans to share ideas about how to overhaul the bureaucracy that served them. A campaign aide said that Trump himself would personally respond to some of the messages. ‘I love all veterans and will help them finally lead the kind of lives that they should be leading,’ Trump declared at the time. Many of the veterans who called the hotline—855-VETS-352—say they were sent to an automated voicemail message telling them to email the campaign. Those who reached a live human were similarly instructed to send an email, or to mail their medical records to campaign headquarters at Trump Tower. It soon became evident that Trump had no actual plan in place to help anyone who contacted him through the hotline. Calling it a “publicity stunt,” one veteran wrote on PopularMilitary.com, ‘We are not sure what the estimated wait time is, but it is probably safe to say you should hold on to your [Veterans Affairs] card for now.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

The Trump Campaign Said Donald Trump Would Personally Respond To Some Of The Suggestions Made Through The Campaign’s Veterans Hotline. “Last summer, about a month after declaring his candidacy, Trump unveiled a hotline for veterans to share ideas about how to overhaul the bureaucracy that served them. A campaign aide said that Trump himself would personally respond to some of the messages. ‘I love all veterans and will help them finally lead the kind of lives that they should be leading,’ Trump declared at the time. Many of the veterans who called the hotline—855-VETS-352—say they were sent to an automated voicemail message telling them to email the campaign. Those who reached a live human were similarly instructed to send an email, or to mail their medical records to campaign headquarters at Trump Tower. It soon became evident that Trump had no actual plan in place to help anyone who contacted him through the hotline.” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

Veterans Who Called Trump’s Veterans Hotline Frequently Received An Automated Message, Or Were Instructed To Simply Send An Email. “Last summer, about a month after declaring his candidacy, Trump unveiled a hotline for veterans to share ideas about how to overhaul the bureaucracy that served them. A campaign aide said that Trump himself would personally respond to some of the messages. ‘I love all veterans and will help them finally lead the kind of lives that they should be leading,’ Trump declared at the time. Many of the veterans who called the hotline—855-VETS-352—say they were sent to an automated voicemail message telling them to email the campaign. Those who reached a live human were similarly instructed to send an email, or to mail their medical records to campaign headquarters at Trump Tower. It soon became evident that Trump had no actual plan in place to help anyone who contacted him through the hotline. Calling it a ’publicity stunt,’ one veteran wrote on PopularMilitary.com, ‘We are not sure what the estimated wait time is, but it is probably safe to say you should hold on to your [Veterans Affairs] card for now.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

The Trump Campaign Did Not Have An Actual Plan To Help Those Who Used The Veterans Hotline, And Veterans Labeled It A “Publicity Stunt.” “Last summer, about a month after declaring his candidacy, Trump unveiled a hotline for veterans to share ideas about how to overhaul the bureaucracy that served them. A campaign aide said that Trump himself would personally respond to some of the messages. ‘I love all veterans and will help them finally lead the kind of lives that they should be leading,’ Trump declared at the time. Many of the veterans who called the hotline—855-VETS-352—say they were sent to an automated voicemail message telling them to email the campaign. Those who reached a live human were similarly instructed to send an email, or to mail their medical records to campaign headquarters at Trump Tower. It soon became evident that Trump had no actual plan in place to help anyone who contacted him through the hotline. Calling it a ’publicity stunt,’ one veteran wrote on PopularMilitary.com, ‘We are not sure what the estimated wait time is, but it is probably safe to say you should hold on to your [Veterans Affairs] card for now.’” [Andy Kroll, Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/trump-at-war/>]

Media
Trump Agreed To An Interview With Megyn Kelly On May 17th. “Megyn Kelly will interview Donald Trump as part of her primetime special on the Fox broadcast network May 17, the network announced. The highly anticipated one on one interview comes after Kelly visited Trump earlier this month to try and clear the air after months of Trump attacking Kelly after she asked a pointed question about women at the first GOP debate in August. Extended portions of the interview will also air on Kelly's Fox News show the next night, May 18.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2016/04/megyn-kelly-to-interview-donald-trump-222422#ixzz46sQK504M>]

Megyn Kelly: “Mr. Trump And I Sat Down Together For A Meeting Earlier This Month At My Request. He Was Gracious With His Time And I Asked Him To Consider An Interview. I Am Happy To Announce He Has Agreed.” “Megyn Kelly will interview Donald Trump as part of her primetime special on the Fox broadcast network May 17, the network announced… ’Mr. Trump and I sat down together for a meeting earlier this month at my request. He was gracious with his time and I asked him to consider an interview. I am happy to announce he has agreed, and I look forward to a fascinating exchange — our first sit-down interview together in nearly a year,’ Kelly said in a statement.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2016/04/megyn-kelly-to-interview-donald-trump-222422#ixzz46sQK504M>]

Business
HEADLINE: “The Man Who Beat Donald Trump.” [Politico Magazine, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-marvin-roffman-casino-lawsuit-213855>]

March 1990: Trump Fired Marvin Roffman For Publicly Expressing His Skepticism About The Trump Taj Mahal. “Sitting here the other day in the library of his house with 40 rooms, 11 fireplaces, four pianos, a wine cellar, a movie theater and an elevator, Marvin Roffman talked about the time Donald Trump tried to destroy him for telling the truth… This was March of 1990. Roffman was a veteran securities analyst. He had focused on the gaming industry in Atlantic City since the first casinos opened in 1978. He knew the market as well as anyone and had watched closely as Trump made a typically bold entrance with Trump Plaza and Trump’s Castle in 1984 and ‘85. Now the New York real estate tycoon was about to open his third casino, by far his biggest, most lavish and most shakily financed one yet, the Trump Taj Mahal. Roffman was skeptical. He told a reporter from the Wall Street Journal the Taj would fail.  What happened next was straight out of Trump 101. The ‘people I don’t take too seriously,’ he had written in 1987 in The Art of the Deal, ‘are the critics—except when they stand in the way of my projects.’ Roffman was in the way. Trump bombarded him with invective, threatened to sue his employer, demanded his firing and then publicly assailed him some more. That Roffman’s assessment was grounded in reality—that he would prove to be right—didn’t stop Trump from attacking Roffman. It was the reason for it. Three days after the quote in the Journal, Roffman was fired. What happened after that, though, was unusual.” [Politico Magazine, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-marvin-roffman-casino-lawsuit-213855>]

Trump Arranged A Tour Of The Taj For Roffman And Told Him “I’m Going To Have Someone Call You And Arrange A Tour Of The Taj. And After The Tour, I Want You To Call Me. And I Know What You’re Going To Tell Me. You’re Going To Tell Me You Have Just Seen The Greatest Property Ever.” “It was the middle of that March. ‘I know you’re down on the Taj,’ Trump said over the phone from New York, according to Roffman’s recollection.  ‘He said, ‘I want you to see this property in its full splendor,’’ Roffman recalled. ‘‘I’m going to have someone call you and arrange a tour of the Taj. And after the tour, I want you to call me. And I know what you’re going to tell me. You’re going to tell me you have just seen the greatest property ever.’ I swear to God. That’s what he said.’ The tour was set for March 20.” [Politico Magazine, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-marvin-roffman-casino-lawsuit-213855>]

When Roffman Refused To Write Trump An Apology Letter Declaring The Taj Would Be “The Greatest Success Ever,” His Superiors In The Trump Organization Wrote The Letter For Him And Made Him Sign It To Keep His Job. “The next day, Jim Meyer, Janney’s director of research, detailed in an internal memo Roffman’s punishments: He was to have ‘no direct contact with members of the press,’ no possibility of a bonus to his base salary in 1990 and a review of his employment status at the end of the year. Edgar Scott, the chairman of the board, called Trump, according to court records, informing him of the nature of the censure. He asked Trump what kind of apology he wanted. Trump, according to the records, directed that Roffman write him a letter saying the Taj would be ‘the greatest success ever.’ Roffman didn’t want to write a letter like that. His bosses did it for him. The obsequious letter said the opening of the Taj ‘unquestionably’ would be ‘the grandest and most successful’ in the annals of Atlantic City. ‘I do hope that you will let me continue to cover your companies,’ it read. Roffman wanted to save his job. He reluctantly signed it. He was ‘a team player,’ he said later in a deposition. ‘I wanted to go long with the firm because I liked working there.’ After a sleepless night, Roffman got a call from Trump’s secretary, according to court records. Trump, she said, wanted him to make some adjustments to the letter. He wanted, for instance, the phrase ‘every hope that the Taj will ultimately be very profitable’ changed to ‘every expectation,’ Roffman said. Roffman stewed. That afternoon, he wrote a new letter to Trump, a letter of his own.” [Politico Magazine, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-marvin-roffman-casino-lawsuit-213855>]

·         When Trump Received The Apology Letter That Had Been Written For And Reluctantly Signed By Roffman, Trump Sent Back Requested Edits. “He asked Trump what kind of apology he wanted. Trump, according to the records, directed that Roffman write him a letter saying the Taj would be ‘the greatest success ever.’ Roffman didn’t want to write a letter like that. His bosses did it for him. The obsequious letter said the opening of the Taj ‘unquestionably’ would be ‘the grandest and most successful’ in the annals of Atlantic City. ‘I do hope that you will let me continue to cover your companies,’ it read. Roffman wanted to save his job. He reluctantly signed it. He was ‘a team player,’ he said later in a deposition. ‘I wanted to go long with the firm because I liked working there.’ After a sleepless night, Roffman got a call from Trump’s secretary, according to court records. Trump, she said, wanted him to make some adjustments to the letter. He wanted, for instance, the phrase ‘every hope that the Taj will ultimately be very profitable’ changed to ‘every expectation,’ Roffman said. Roffman stewed. That afternoon, he wrote a new letter to Trump, a letter of his own.” [Politico Magazine, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-marvin-roffman-casino-lawsuit-213855>]

HEADLINE: “How Donald Trump Could Spin His Fraud Lawsuits On The Campaign Trail.” [Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-bill-clinton-trump-university_us_571e626be4b0f309baee1d89>]

In A Motion To Dismiss A Lawsuit Against Trump University, Trump’s Lawyers Cited The Clinton Global Initiative’s CGI University As Evidence That Trump’s Use Of The Word “University” Did Not Have Any Concrete Implications. “If Bill Clinton can do it, so can Donald Trump. That’s the argument that the Republican presidential front-runner debuted on Friday in a legal defense against allegations that his now-defunct Trump University committed fraud. In a motion to dismiss a California lawsuit, Trump’s lawyers argued that when Trump used the word ‘university’ to market his real estate seminar program, it didn’t actually mean anything concrete. Trump’s legal team cited how ‘The Clinton Global Initiative launched ‘CGI University,’ which is a ‘network of global young leaders’ that holds an annual meeting with the goal ‘to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.’ That the Clintons’ name and foundation should appear in Trump’s legal defense against fraud allegations is hardly an accident.” [Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-bill-clinton-trump-university_us_571e626be4b0f309baee1d89>]

Aircraft
HEADLINE: “After A Legal Maneuver, Donald Trump’s Jet Is Cleared To Fly.” [New York Times, 4/26/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/nyregion/after-a-legal-maneuver-donald-trumps-jet-is-cleared-to-fly.html>]

Trump Was Able To Clear His Cessna 750 Citation X To Fly Immediately By Registering The Jet With A Separate Business Entity He Controlled. “Donald J. Trump has managed to get his once-grounded Cessna jet back in the air, by selling it — to himself. The private jet that Mr. Trump has been using to get to and from many campaign events was grounded last week by the Federal Aviation Administration, after The New York Times reported that its registration had expired on Jan. 31. The paperwork snafu threatened to ground the 1997 Cessna 750 Citation X, for weeks, if not more. But Mr. Trump found a way around this. On Friday the plane was registered to a new owner, DT Endeavor I, according to records kept with the Federal Aviation Administration. DT Endeavor I is a limited liability company that was registered in Delaware in early January, and is controlled by Mr. Trump. He then submitted a new registration from the new company, a move that cleared the way for the Cessna to fly almost immediately.” [New York Times, 4/26/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/nyregion/after-a-legal-maneuver-donald-trumps-jet-is-cleared-to-fly.html>]

Trump Claimed The Plane’s Registration Lapsed Because The F.A.A.’s Renewal Notice Was Sent To An Incorrect Address. “Mr. Trump explained that the plane’s registration lapsed because DJT Operations CX, the L.L.C. that until Friday owned the plane, did not receive the F.A.A.’s original renewal notices. Instead, they were sent to an incorrect address, he said. The plane’s new registration expires on April 30, 2019. And in case the F.A.A. might have cause to send out another renewal notice, it should take note: The plane’s new owner shares the same Delaware address as the old owner.” [New York Times, 4/26/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/nyregion/after-a-legal-maneuver-donald-trumps-jet-is-cleared-to-fly.html>]

4/25/16: Trump Used His Cessna 750 Citation X For A Campaign Trip From La Guardia To Rhode Island To Pennsylvania. “The Cessna, which was designed to seat eight people, flew to Rhode Island and Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon before Mr. Trump’s rallies in Warwick, R.I., and West Chester, Pa., in advance of the primary elections in those states on Tuesday. Until then the plane had not flown since returning to La Guardia Airport from Mr. Trump’s rally in Buffalo on April 18, according to flight records archived on a flight data website and reviewed by The Times.” [New York Times, 4/26/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/nyregion/after-a-legal-maneuver-donald-trumps-jet-is-cleared-to-fly.html>]

Tax Returns
HEADLINE: “What Is Mr. Trump Hiding By Not Releasing His Tax Returns?” [Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4/25/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-is-mr-trump-hiding/2016/04/25/7e4bd4ac-0b21-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html>]

Washington Post: Trump Has Attacked His Opponents Political Records While Touting His Business Record That Was Not Subject To The Same Level Of Transparency. “As Republican voters from Maryland to Rhode Island go to the polls Tuesday, there is a lot they will not know about Donald Trump. Unlike his rivals, he has no history in public office on which to judge his suitability for political leadership. This has enabled the billionaire to attack politicians, who have to defend political records open for everyone to see, while touting his business record, which is not subject to a similar level of transparency. His business interests are often private, and his required financial disclosure reports aren’t vetted for accuracy, leaving him free to make wild claims about his success.” [Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4/25/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-is-mr-trump-hiding/2016/04/25/7e4bd4ac-0b21-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html>]

Washington Post: “Mr. Trump Also Has Been The Least Transparent Candidate.” “As Republican voters from Maryland to Rhode Island go to the polls Tuesday, there is a lot they will not know about Donald Trump. Unlike his rivals, he has no history in public office on which to judge his suitability for political leadership. This has enabled the billionaire to attack politicians, who have to defend political records open for everyone to see, while touting his business record, which is not subject to a similar level of transparency. His business interests are often private, and his required financial disclosure reports aren’t vetted for accuracy, leaving him free to make wild claims about his success. Mr. Trump’s unusual position means that the scrutiny that routinely accompanies running for president is all the more important in his case, starting with the release of his tax returns. Yet Mr. Trump also has been the least transparent candidate. His GOP rivals have disclosed tax returns going back at least four years. Meanwhile, the real estate developer has stalled, puzzlingly declaring that his tax returns are ‘very beautiful’ while offering laughable excuses for refusing to share them with the public.” [Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4/25/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-is-mr-trump-hiding/2016/04/25/7e4bd4ac-0b21-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html>]

Washington Post: Trump Faces “No Obstacle To Him Releasing Earlier Returns. There Is Also Nothing Stopping Mr. Trump From Disclosing His Preliminary Tax Documents Even While The Government Is Reviewing Them.”  “Mr. Trump’s primary defense is that the Internal Revenue Service is auditing his tax submissions. This presents no obstacle to him releasing earlier returns. There is also nothing stopping Mr. Trump from disclosing his preliminary tax documents even while the government is reviewing them. The differences pre- and post-audit could be illuminating. So could many other details. Maybe the returns would provide evidence that Mr. Trump’s business dealings are not generating as much profit as one might expect. Perhaps they would demonstrate that he does not give much to charity, as reporting from The Post’s David A. Fahrenthold and Rosalind S. Helderman suggests. Maybe there would be other surprises.” [Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4/25/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-is-mr-trump-hiding/2016/04/25/7e4bd4ac-0b21-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html>]

Washington Post: “If The Story Mr. Trump Has Told Voters Is True, Shouldn’t Releasing Information About His Business Dealings Help Him?” “Mr. Trump claims that tax returns do not show all that much. This argues for releasing more information, not less. Presidential candidates have in the past gone beyond releasing personal tax returns. Mitt Romney, for example, disclosed tax information from the Tyler Charitable Foundation, the entity that handles his charitable giving, during the 2012 campaign. True, information on Mr. Romney’s generosity tended to paint him in a positive light. But if the story Mr. Trump has told voters is true, shouldn’t releasing information about his business dealings help him? The GOP front-runner has made his business prowess central to his campaign. Along with his personal tax returns, he should release more hard information about the performance of his private ventures so that voters can judge whether he is the business genius he claims to be.” [Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4/25/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-is-mr-trump-hiding/2016/04/25/7e4bd4ac-0b21-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html>]

Washington Post: “The GOP Front-Runner Has Made His Business Prowess Central To His Campaign. Along With His Personal Tax Returns, He Should Release More Hard Information About The Performance Of His Private Ventures So That Voters Can Judge Whether He Is The Business Genius He Claims To Be.” “But if the story Mr. Trump has told voters is true, shouldn’t releasing information about his business dealings help him? The GOP front-runner has made his business prowess central to his campaign. Along with his personal tax returns, he should release more hard information about the performance of his private ventures so that voters can judge whether he is the business genius he claims to be.” [Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4/25/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-is-mr-trump-hiding/2016/04/25/7e4bd4ac-0b21-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html>]

Campaign Staff
Trump Was Reportedly Taking Steps To Return Some Authority To Campaign Manager, Lewandowski, After Convention Manager, Paul Manafort, Privately Told RNC Leaders That Trump Was “Projecting An Image” On The Campaign Trail. “Donald Trump is bristling at efforts to implement a more conventional presidential campaign strategy, and has expressed misgivings about the political guru behind them, Paul Manafort, for overstepping his bounds, multiple sources close to the campaign tell POLITICO. Trump became upset late last week when he learned from media reports that Manafort privately told Republican leaders that the billionaire reality TV star was ‘projecting an image’ for voters and would begin toning down his rhetoric, according to the sources. They said that Trump also expressed concern about Manafort bringing several former lobbying colleagues into the campaign, as first reported by POLITICO. Now Trump is taking steps to return some authority to Manafort’s chief internal rival, campaign manager Corey Lewandowski…Multiple sources said that Trump in recent days has re-empowered Lewandowski to handle the campaign’s finances and make some hiring decisions, partially reversing changes Manafort laid out this month when seizing some decision-making authority from Lewandowski.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/donald-trump-paul-manafort-corey-lewandowski-222430#ixzz46wO76oDG>]

Trump Was Reportedly Concerned About Manafort’s Hiring Of His Lobbying Associates And Was Bothered By News Stories About Manafort’s Past Lobbying Clients. “Then, later in the week, Trump expressed concern after learning about Manafort’s moves to bolster the campaign by bringing on associates from his lobbying days, as well as his pitch to leery Republican Party leaders… Around the same time, POLITICO revealed that Manafort brought in a handful of operatives who had ties to his lobbying firm, which had developed a niche representing a roster of controversial international clients who have been collectively described as ‘the torturers’ lobby.’ In particular, multiple sources said Trump was bothered by news stories about Manafort’s representation of Saudi Arabia and for a group accused of being a front for Pakistani intelligence. ‘I don’t think he was aware of the extent of the work that Paul has done in foreign countries that have not always been friendly to the United States,’ said a Washington operative with close relationships to the campaign.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/donald-trump-paul-manafort-corey-lewandowski-222430#ixzz46wO76oDG>]

HEADLINE: “Prominent GOP Lobbyist Joins Trump Forces In Pennsylvania.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/david-urban-joins-trump-222456#ixzz46xCbKhHI>]

David Urban, Prominent Republican Lobbyist And Former Chief Of Staff To Senator Specter, Was An Adviser For The Trump Campaign In Pennsylvania. “Another prominent Republican lobbyist is joining the Trump fold. David Urban, the former chief of staff to the late Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) now at American Continental Group, is advising and volunteering for the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania today… Urban's clients at ACG include blue chips like Comcast, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Raytheon, as well as the Keystone State's Allegheny Health Network, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/david-urban-joins-trump-222456#ixzz46xCbKhHI>]

·         David Urban’s Lobbying Clients Included Comcast, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Raytheon, Keystone State's Allegheny Health Network, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority. “Urban's clients at ACG include blue chips like Comcast, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Raytheon, as well as the Keystone State's Allegheny Health Network, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority.” [Politico, 4/26/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/david-urban-joins-trump-222456#ixzz46xCbKhHI>]

Kasich
Trump Criticized Kasich For Not Fulfilling The Terms Of His Agreement With Cruz: “Typical Politician—Can’t Make A Deal Work.” TRUMP: “Kasich just announced that he wants the people of Indiana to vote for him. Typical politician - can't make a deal work.” [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 4/25/16<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/724633058398375936>]

Trump Said Kasich Was A Bad Example To His Son On Manners: “I Have Never Seen A Human Being Eat In Such A Disgusting Fashion.” TRUMP: “Now you look at Kasich. I don’t think he knows. Do you see him? He has a news conference all the time when he's eating. I have never seen a human being eat in such a disgusting fashion. I’m always telling my young son Barron. I’m saying—and I’m always with my kids all of them. I say, children, small little bites. Small. This guy takes a pancake and he’s shoving in his mouth. It’s disgusting. Do you want that for your president. I don’t think so. I don’t think so. Honestly, it’s disgusting. ” [Campaign Rally, Warwick RI, 4/25/16]

Trump Adopted “1 For 38” As A Nickname For John Kasich. “It took almost 10 months, but Donald Trump finally has a nickname for John Kasich, one of his two remaining obstacles on the way to the Republican nomination: ‘1 for 38 Kasich.’ ‘Lyin' Ted Cruz and 1 for 38 Kasich are unable to beat me on their own so they have to team up (collusion) in a two on one. Shows weakness!’ Trump tweeted Monday morning, following it up with, ‘Shows how weak and desperate Lyin' Ted is when he has to team up with a guy who openly can't stand him and is only 1 win and 38 losses’… In that statement, Trump referred to the Ohio governor as ‘1 for 41,’ in an apparent reference to the total number of states and territories that have awarded delegates up to Monday.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/trump-john-kasich-nickname-222389#ixzz46t43ff1m>]

Cruz
Trump On Ted Cruz: “When He's Under Pressure He's Like A Basket Case So He's Stuttering And He's Stammering.” TRUMP: I watched Cruz this morning and he's all mixed up because he's losing so badly and when he's under pressure he's like a basket case so he's stuttering and he's stammering and I watched him and he's saying, I want jobs and I want the economy and I want this and I want that. All stuff that I've been saying for years and he just started saying it.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Campaign Temperament
Trump: "I Think I'm Presidential. Do I Look Presidential?” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump: “Do I Look Like A President? How Handsome Am I, Right? How Handsome.” TRUMP: “Do I look like a president? How handsome am I, right? How handsome. Somebody said, ‘He really does look good, but you know, I don’t know if he’s presidential.’ And I’m looking at this stage of people—my competitors. Does Hillary look presidential? Was she there at 3 o’clock in the morning to answer the call? No. Now, and she won’t be.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Said He “Won’t Tweet Anymore” After Becoming President Because It’s “Not Presidential.” TRUMP: “You know I tweeted today, @realDonaldTrump. I tweet. And that’s—you know—it solves. Don’t worry, I’ll give it up after I’m president. We won’t tweet anymore. I don’t think. Not presidential.” [Campaign Rally, Warwick RI, 4/25/16]

Trump Likened Winning The Nomination In A “Rigged” System To A Boxer Having To Go For The Knockout: “If You Have A Good Match You'll End Up Losing On A Decision With Bad Judges-- Pretty Sad. Mr. Trump, The Only Way I Can Do It, I Have To Knock This Guy Out. I Have To Knock Him On His Ass.” TRUMP: “So you know, the whole deal, you know this whole thing, we are leading by millions of votes. We are leading by hundreds of delegates and it's a rigged system but I think you know that at the rate. I have a boxer. It's a friend of mine. He is a world champion and he goes into a very unfriendly territory. I said what you doing it? If you have a good match you'll end up losing on a decision with bad judges-- Pretty sad. Mr. Trump, the only way I can do it, I have to knock this guy out. I have to knock him on his ass. And he did. And he picked up a big paycheck so what we are doing is we are going to win on the first ballot. We only care about the first ballot and is sort of interesting because if you look at these new guys, what is one for 41? Millions of votes ahead, many states, many delegates. The other one is like a total disaster. He goes to New York last week ended that they been registered or he's got no delegates. They ought to both job out of the race and we have to unify the Republican Party.” [Campaign Rally, Wilkes-Barre PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Explained How He Could Not Become More “Presidential” Using A Metaphor Of A Blue-Chip Golfer In His First Year On The PGA Tour Not Changing His Swing. TRUMP: “They're talking about presidential. And then I think again to sports. You ever see these guys, like hitters in baseball or golfers. A golfer comes out. He won the US Amateur twice. He's the best golfer. He's going to be the next Jack Nicklaus. He's going to be the next Tiger Woods. He's got this great future. And he gets up, and it's his first year on the PGA Tour. And guys start saying, 'You know, I don't like your swing. You ought to start changing your swing. Change your swing a little bit. Go ahead. Change it.' And he says, 'Really, you think?' 'Change your swing.' And guess what. You never heard from him again. You can't change our swing too much, folks.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Refugees
Trump: “Syrian Refugees Are Now Being Resettled In Rhode Island… Lock Your Doors.” TRUMP: “Syrian refugees are now being resettled in Rhode Island. We don’t know where they’re from. We don’t know where they’re from. They have no documentation. We all have hearts and we can build safe zones in Syria and we’ll get the Gulf States to put up money. We’re not putting up the money, but I’ll get that done. But you know what? We can’t let this happen but you have a lot of them resettling in Rhode Island. Just enjoy your—Lock your doors folks, okay? Lock your doors. No, it’s a big problem. We don’t know anything about them. We don’t know where they come from, who they are, there’s no documentation. We have our incompetent government people, letting them in by the thousands and who knows. Who knows, maybe it’s ISIS.” [Campaign Rally, Warwick RI, 4/25/16]

Voting Rights
Trump Criticized Virginia For Giving Voting Rights To Felons. TRUMP: “You know what they just did in the state of Virginia? Two hundred thousand people that were in prison for horrible crimes are being given the right to vote. That’s crooked politics. Because Virginia's a very close state. They’re giving 200,000 people that have been convicted of heinous crimes, horrible crimes, the worst crimes, the right to vote because, you know what? They know they’re going to vote Democrat. They’re going to vote Democrat and that could be the swing. That’s how disgusting and dishonest our political system is.” [Campaign Rally, Warwick RI, 4/25/16]

Trump: “They’re Giving 200,000 People That Have Been Convicted Of Heinous Crimes, Horrible Crimes, The Worst Crimes, The Right To Vote Because, You Know What? They Know They’re Going To Vote Democrat.” TRUMP: “You know what they just did in the state of Virginia? Two hundred thousand people that were in prison for horrible crimes are being given the right to vote. That’s crooked politics. Because Virginia's a very close state. They’re giving 200,000 people that have been convicted of heinous crimes, horrible crimes, the worst crimes, the right to vote because, you know what? They know they’re going to vote Democrat. They’re going to vote Democrat and that could be the swing. That’s how disgusting and dishonest our political system is.” [Campaign Rally, Warwick RI, 4/25/16]

HEADLINE: “Trump Rips Virginia Governor On Felon Voter Rights.” [The Hill, 4/25/16<http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/277531-trump-rips-virginia-governor-on-felon-voter-rights>; Campaign Rally, Warwick RI, 4/25/16]

Trump On Virginia Allowing Felons To Vote: “These Are People That Committed Serious Crimes. You Allow Them To Vote, They're Going To Vote Democrat, And That Throws Off The Balance Totally.” HANNITY: “Did you see Governor McAuliffe of Virginia is now going to allow 206,000 felons, including violent felons, the opportunity to vote in this upcoming election? And what's your reaction to that?” TRUMP: “I did see it. And Virginia is a very close state. It's very, very close between, you know, the various candidates, whoever they may be, I mean, if it's Hillary and even myself, although I think I'm going to do great in Virginia. I employ a lot of people in Virginia. But when you do that, you allow 200,000 of serious -- these are serious criminals, these are people that committed serious crimes. You allow them to vote, they're going to vote Democrat, and that throws off the balance totally. And I think it's really unfair and not a good thing.” [Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Immigration
Trump Said Undocumented Immigration Has “Gotten Worse And Worse, And We Have A President That Is Grossly Incompetent, That Doesn't Know What He's Doing. He's Allowing This To Happen. He Wants It To Happen. And Nobody Understands Why. Perhaps He Does And Maybe, Frankly, He Doesn't Even Understand Why.” HANNITY: “This was in The Washington Times that we have illegal immigrant families streaming across the border at a record rate, 40 percent higher than the previous record, which was 2014. They just released these numbers Friday morning. And on top of that, you literally have one of the American men accused in Minnesota of trying to join the Islamic State, wanted to open up routes from Syria to the U.S. through Mexico. When you hear stories like this, does it -- what does it say about your thinking about the issue of the border versus some of your opponents and especially Hillary Clinton and Democrats that want open borders?” TRUMP: “Well, Sean, you know, when I announced that I was going to run for president, which is never an easy thing to do, I said -- and I brought up the whole subject of illegal immigration. And if I didn't bring it up, Sean, I don't think anybody would even be talking about it right now. And now it's gotten worse and worse, and we have a president that is grossly incompetent, that doesn't know what he's doing. He's allowing this to happen. He wants it to happen. And nobody understands why. Perhaps he does and maybe, frankly, he doesn't even understand why. But what's going on in this country in so many different ways -- but illegal immigration is absolutely outrageous. And that's true, they're pouring across the border./ And you know, last week, you probably saw it that 16,500 Border Patrol agents endorsed Donald Trump. First time they've ever endorsed a presidential candidate. I'm not even sure if they're supposed to be doing that.” [Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Donald Trump Jr. Said His Father’s Plan To Build A Border Wall And Deport 11 Million People Was Meant “To Be Taken Literally.” TAPPER: “So, when he talks about building a wall, or when he talks about deporting 11 million people in this country, undocumented immigrants, is that just playing a part, or is that to be taken literally?” DONALD TRUMP JR.: “No, I think that's to be taken literally. He's been -- he's the only person that has been talking about that. He's the -- everyone else jumps on the bandwagon after he says it. He says it, three weeks later, everyone else, once he's taken all the heat, once he's taken all the criticism, once he's taken all of that, then everyone else jumps on and says, hey, wait a minute, this is actually a winning idea. This is something that makes a lot of sense. And then they do it, because he's the only one of the candidates that actually ever had an original thought in years.” [State Of The Union, CNN, 4/24/16]

Nomination Process
Trump: If The Nomination Went To Cruz “You Would Have A Revolt.” TRUMP: “How are you going to vote for a guy who has 13 or 14 states? So we’re going to pick a guy that over a year got creamed, right? Got creamed. So you explain how that’s done. You would have a revolt. You would have, at a minimum, nobody, all these millions of people that have joined the Republican Party, which makes it so hot, all of these people will never vote. Believe me, they will never vote for anybody, probably, but they certainly won’t be voting for a Republican.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump On The Deal Made Between Kasich And Cruz: “If You Collude In Business, Or If You Collude In The Stock Market, They Put You In Jail But In Politics, Because It's A Rigged System, Because It Is A Corrupt Enterprise, In Politics, You're Allowed To Collude.” TRUMP: “If you collude in business, if you collude in business, or if you collude in the stock market, they put you in jail but in politics, because it's a rigged system, because it is a corrupt enterprise, in politics, you're allowed to collude. So they colluded and actually I was happy because it shows how weak they are. It shows how pathetic they are.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Said The Deal Made Between Kasich And Cruz “Is Going To Make Them Look Weak And Pathetic, Which They Are As Politicians.” TRUMP: “You know the funny thing? They made a deal, right, that Cruz was going to take Indiana. How weak is that? How pathetic is that when they use collusion? How weak does this make them look? I said to my people that's great, it is going to make them look weak and pathetic, which they are as politicians, okay? I said how weak, how pathetic is that, right?” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Said The Deal Made Between Kasich And Cruz Was “Interesting” Because “They Don’t Even Like Each Other. They Call Each Other Names.” TRUMP: “They don’t even like each other. They call each other names. I said that’s interesting because I think they hate each other actually. I’m on the stage with them. I watch. I think I see better than anybody else. I think the first immediate thing is collusion. Collusion is illegal in most instances. Here politicians are allowed to collude. What is shows is weakness. It shows desperation… This really shows that it’s a rigged system. I’ve been watching the different shows on television, reading the papers and, really, I think it’s backfiring. It’s making people really angry. I’ve been talking about it’s a rigged system with the delegates where I’ll win Louisiana and end up getting less than a guy that I beat easily. I said this is a rigged system. It has nothing to do with the voters. It’s like a camouflage, the fact that they’re voting.” [Rich Zeoli Radio Show, 1210 WPHT (Philadelphia), 4/25/16]

Trump Said The Deal Made Between Kasich And Cruz Showed “Weakness” And “Desperation.” TRUMP: “They don’t even like each other. They call each other names. I said that’s interesting because I think they hate each other actually. I’m on the stage with them. I watch. I think I see better than anybody else. I think the first immediate thing is collusion. Collusion is illegal in most instances. Here politicians are allowed to collude. What is shows is weakness. It shows desperation… This really shows that it’s a rigged system. I’ve been watching the different shows on television, reading the papers and, really, I think it’s backfiring. It’s making people really angry. I’ve been talking about it’s a rigged system with the delegates where I’ll win Louisiana and end up getting less than a guy that I beat easily. I said this is a rigged system. It has nothing to do with the voters. It’s like a camouflage, the fact that they’re voting.” [Rich Zeoli Radio Show, 1210 WPHT (Philadelphia), 4/25/16]

Trump: Delegates In Pennsylvania “Feel A Moral Obligation To, On The First Ballot, Cast Their Votes For The Person That Won The State. That’s All I Ask For.” TRUMP: “The thing that I hear is different about Pennsylvania than almost every other place is that most delegates, on both sides, feel a moral obligation to, on the first ballot, cast their votes for the person that won the state. That’s all I ask for. I don’t need the second ballot because I think we’re going to win on the first. Cruz is going around trying to get all these second and third ballots. Could you imagine if it ever did go to a second or third ballot and he won and yet I got four or five million votes more than him and I was four or five hundred delegates up on him and then he ends up winning? It would be a sham.” [Rich Zeoli Radio Show, 1210 WPHT (Philadelphia), 4/25/16]

Trump Said He Thought The Election In Pennsylvania Would Be Fair Because “You Have A Great Head Of The Republican Party” In The State. HANNITY: “So my question to you is, are you worried that you'll win the state of Pennsylvania, let's say by the RealClearPolitics average, then lose a lot of delegates?” TRUMP: “Well, it can happen. I mean, it happened in Louisiana. I won the state of Louisiana, and I ended up getting less delegates. And that's what really taught the world what was going on because nobody knew that this whole thing is a scam. It's a scam. It's absolutely a rigged system. And it's done so the bosses can pick people. Now, fortunately, in Pennsylvania, you have a great head of the Republican Party. You have a great head of the party, and I think it'll be fair. Now, one thing they have different in Pennsylvania, if you win -- and hope that we're going to win very big.” [Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Trump Said “It's Going To Be Disastrous” If He Was Denied The Nomination At A Contested Convention. HANNITY: “Well, so both these guys are counting on a contested convention. That's their strategy because they can't get to 1,237. So let's say that happens. You fall a little short, 1,237, it's a contested convention. Here you have millions of more votes, hundreds of more delegates, dozens of more states won. And if the nomination is denied to you, what happens? What do you think happens?”  TRUMP: “Well, I think the people that have come -- the millions and millions of people -- it's the biggest story in all of politics worldwide. The millions and millions of people -- up, I think it's over 70 percent from what it was 4 years ago with Romney. People are coming into the party and they're voting. Those millions of people are not going to be happy, I can tell you that. These are unbelievably dedicated people. They want to make America great again. They're not going to be happy, Sean. It's going to be disastrous, I think. I really do.” [Hannity, Fox News, 4/25/16]

Campaign Finance
HEADLINE: “Super PAC To Mount Pro-Trump Charge In California.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/pro-trump-super-pac-california-222415#ixzz46sKZM5a7>]

Pro-Trump Great America PAC Began Polling California Congressional Districts To Determine Where To Invest. “A pro-Donald Trump super PAC is gearing up to invest big in California, a state that doles out more delegates than any other in the Republican nomination fight. In a memo to its donors on Monday, Great America PAC, says it will begin polling in all of California's 53 congressional districts later this week to determine where to invest. California Republicans will lay out 172 delegates when they vote on June 7, and many of the delegates will be allocated based on results at the congressional district level. Great America PAC has emerged the leading pro-Trump super PAC. While the New York businessman has made opposition to outside groups a centerpiece of his campaign, Great America PAC has pushed forward, tapping seasoned operatives Jesse Benton and Eric Beach to oversee its efforts. The memo also seeks to assuage concerns about Trump's finance operation. With questions lingering about whether Trump is building a sufficient fundraising infrastructure for a prospective general election matchup with Hillary Clinton, Great America PAC bills itself as a burgeoning financial powerhouse.” [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/pro-trump-super-pac-california-222415#ixzz46sKZM5a7>]

Great America PAC Memo: “Trump Campaign Leadership Knows They Need A Grassroots Finance Operation To Take On Hillary, And Yet Have Not Built That Infrastructure. Great America PAC Has, Building A Robust National Grassroots Finance Operation, Poised To Fill That Void For The Trump Going Into, And Coming Out Of, The Convention.” “In a memo to its donors on Monday, Great America PAC, says it will begin polling in all of California's 53 congressional districts later this week to determine where to invest… While the New York businessman has made opposition to outside groups a centerpiece of his campaign, Great America PAC has pushed forward, tapping seasoned operatives Jesse Benton and Eric Beach to oversee its efforts. The memo also seeks to assuage concerns about Trump's finance operation. With questions lingering about whether Trump is building a sufficient fundraising infrastructure for a prospective general election matchup with Hillary Clinton, Great America PAC bills itself as a burgeoning financial powerhouse. ‘Perhaps most importantly, Trump campaign leadership knows they need a grassroots finance operation to take on Hillary, and yet have not built that infrastructure,’ the memo says. ‘Great America PAC has, building a robust national grassroots finance operation, poised to fill that void for the Trump going into, and coming out of, the convention.’" [Politico, 4/25/16<http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/pro-trump-super-pac-california-222415#ixzz46sKZM5a7>]

HEADLINE: “Inside Trump Tower, Home To 2016’s Troubling, Unprecedented Campaign.” [Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/inside-donald-trump-tower_us_571d1796e4b0d0042da9903b>]

Trump Campaign Paraphernalia Was On Sale In The Trump Tower Lobby.  “Federal regulations are supposed to rigorously separate commercial from political fundraising. But the conflation of commerce and politics is the essence of Trumpism and the Trump presidential campaign (and, many might argue, of American public life today). So in the lobby you could buy myriad items glorifying the real estate and TV star aspects of his mogul-ness: cuff links, tie bars, ties, formal wear, trench coats (I was tempted), golf hats, golf club covers, baby clothing (no kidding) and books on how to be a success in the Trump manner. But you also could gorge on items from his newly created political side: ‘Make America Great Again’ baseball caps in assorted colors and fabrics, campaign books about how America was failing and 2016 ski hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, key chains, wristbands and sweatbands.” [Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/inside-donald-trump-tower_us_571d1796e4b0d0042da9903b>]

Trump’s Campaign Office In Trump Tower Had A Precise Scale Model Of The White House On Display. “Trump’s campaign headquarters, however, has the sparse, ramshackle look of a losing effort – or a front operation. Even after his big victory in New York, the high-ceiling, concrete-walled space housed less than a score of staffers, desks scattered around the vast space, one television monitor (tuned to CNN) and barren offices. Walls were covered with a bizarre assortment of Trumpian folk art: hand-painted portraits of Trump as a visionary hero; American eagles soaring above The Donald; Trump as a combination of Reagan and John Wayne. Trump doesn’t want and doesn’t think he needs a campaign ‘operation’ of a traditional political kind, and, indeed, he hasn’t needed one to become the nearly prohibitive front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination. Efforts to turn his team into a more recognizable brand clash with Trump’s own gut-based decision-making. His ‘operation,’ such as it is, resides mostly aboard his own plane as he jets around the country appearing at rallies, and in the front cabin where he counsels with top aides. There is one particularly interesting artifact in the campaign office. It is a precise scale model of the White House.” [Huffington Post, 4/25/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/inside-donald-trump-tower_us_571d1796e4b0d0042da9903b>]

HEADLINE: “What Donald Trump's Political Donations Reveal About Him.” [Rolling Stone, 4/25/16<http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/what-donald-trumps-political-donations-reveal-about-him-20160425#ixzz46xCDj1hw>]

In Preparation For A 2016 Presidential Run, Trump Shifted His Political Donations Toward Republicans Beginning In 2014. “It's unclear what, if any, favors Trump actually received from any specific politicians to whom he donated. But the donations that most make one wonder what favors he was hoping for were those made during the 2014 election cycle, just as his current White House run took shape. It was in 2014 that Trump dispatched adviser Sam Nunberg to report back on hours of conservative talk radio, the disgruntled reactions and diatribes of which became the backbone of Trump's current campaign, according to a recent New York magazine profile. Like a good weathercock, it seems Trump staked out his current political positions based on Nunberg's reports, rather than deeply held political beliefs. Listening to those calls, Trump saw a convenient way to run a presidential campaign. As his campaign crystallized, he started pumping serious dollars into Republican races across the country, from Massachusetts to California. In all, he gave $67,300 in individual donations to congressional and Senate Republican candidates between January 2014 and May 2015. He gave nothing to Democrats in this period, after years of supporting them.” [Rolling Stone, 4/25/16<http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/what-donald-trumps-political-donations-reveal-about-him-20160425#ixzz46xCDj1hw>]

Religion
Trump: “I'm A Sunday Church Person. I'll Go When I Can.” TRUMP: “Well I go as much as I can. Always on Christmas. Always on Easter. Always when there's a major occasion. And during the Sundays. I'm a Sunday church person. I'll go when I can.”  [The 700 Club, CBN News, 4/12/11]

Trump Said He Became Pro-Life After His Friend’s Wife Decided To Keep Her Baby, And It Became “The Apple Of His Eye.” TRUMP: “One thing about me, I'm a very honorable guy. I'm pro-life, but I changed my view a number of years ago. One of the reasons I changed, one of the primary reasons, a friend of mine, his wife was pregnant, in this case married. She was pregnant and he didn't really want the baby… He ends up having the baby and the baby is the apple of his eye. It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to him. And you know here's a baby that wasn't going to be let into life. And I heard this, and some other stories, and I am pro-life.” [The 700 Club, CBN News, 4/12/11]

Trump Said The Koran “Teaches Some Very Negative Vibe.” TRUMP: “I'm certainly not an expert to put it mildly, but there's something there that teaches some very negative vibe…There's a lot of hatred there that's some place. Now I don't know if that's from the Koran, I don't know if that's from someplace else. But there's tremendous hatred out there that I've never seen anything like it.” [The 700 Club, CBN News, 4/12/11]

Hillary Clinton
HEADLINE: “Trump Supporters Are Selling 'Trump That Bitch' T-Shirts Featuring Hillary Clinton.” [Fortune, 4/25/16<http://fortune.com/2016/04/25/trump-clinton-misogynistic-merch/?xid=soc_socialflow_twitter_FORTUNE>]

Trump Supporters Sold Misogynistic T-Shirts Attacking Hillary Clinton At Trump Rallies In Indiana And Rhode Island. “Donald Trump supporters have gotten a lot of attention for scary, violent behavior at rallies for the candidate. But as the general election is looking increasingly likely to boil down to a face-off between Trump and Hillary Clinton, a new facet of the GOP frontrunner’s base is surfacing: misogyny. On Monday, Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, a host at HuffPost live, tweeted a picture of a t-shirt being sold at a Trump event in Rhode Island. The shirt reads, ‘Trump That Bitch,’ and includes photos of Trump and Clinton. Unfortunately, the shirt isn’t a one-off. Versions have turned up at prior rallies, including a March 13 event in Bloomington, Ind.” [Fortune, 4/25/16<http://fortune.com/2016/04/25/trump-clinton-misogynistic-merch/?xid=soc_socialflow_twitter_FORTUNE>]

Trump: “Does Hillary Look Presidential? Was She There At 3 O’clock In The Morning To Answer The Call? No.” TRUMP: “Do I look like a president? How handsome am I, right? How handsome. Somebody said, ‘He really does look good, but you know, I don’t know if he’s presidential.’ And I’m looking at this stage of people—my competitors. Does Hillary look presidential? Was she there at 3 o’clock in the morning to answer the call? No. Now, and she won’t be.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Accused Hillary Clinton Of “Pandering” By Saying Half Of Her Cabinet Would Be Comprised Of Women: “The Only Thing She's Got Is The Woman Card. That's All She's Got. It Is Pandering.” QUESTION: “Hillary Clinton is now saying if she's elected half of her cabinet will be women. Some are accusing her of pandering to the women. What's your thought on that?” TRUMP: “Well, I call her crooked Hillary because she's crooked and, you know, the only thing she's got is the woman card. That's all she's got. It is pandering. You know, it's a weak card in her hand and in another person's hands it could be a powerful card. I'd love to see a woman president, but she's the wrong person. She's a disaster. Remember the famous call at 3:00 in the morning, she was sleeping. She was sleeping. It was her ad, what would you like at 3:00 in the morning? Well, the phone rang, she was sleeping. She would be a terrible president. The only thing she's got -- she's got nothing else to play. She's guilty as hell in the e-mails. You have Whitewater. Her whole life has been crooked. You look at the foundation, the whole life, and the only card she's got is to play the woman card. It may be good enough. A poll came out yesterday where I was essentially even with her and I haven't focused on her.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump On Hillary Clinton: “I'd Love To See A Woman President, But She's The Wrong Person. She's A Disaster.” QUESTION: “Hillary Clinton is now saying if she's elected half of her cabinet will be women. Some are accusing her of pandering to the women. What's your thought on that?” TRUMP: “Well, I call her crooked Hillary because she's crooked and, you know, the only thing she's got is the woman card. That's all she's got. It is pandering. You know, it's a weak card in her hand and in another person's hands it could be a powerful card. I'd love to see a woman president, but she's the wrong person. She's a disaster. Remember the famous call at 3:00 in the morning, she was sleeping. She was sleeping. It was her ad, what would you like at 3:00 in the morning? Well, the phone rang, she was sleeping. She would be a terrible president. The only thing she's got -- she's got nothing else to play.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump On Hillary Clinton: “She's Guilty As Hell In The E-Mails. You Have Whitewater. Her Whole Life Has Been Crooked. You Look At The Foundation, The Whole Life, And The Only Card She's Got Is To Play The Woman Card.” QUESTION: “Hillary Clinton is now saying if she's elected half of her cabinet will be women. Some are accusing her of pandering to the women. What's your thought on that?” TRUMP: “Well, I call her crooked Hillary because she's crooked and, you know, the only thing she's got is the woman card. That's all she's got. It is pandering. You know, it's a weak card in her hand and in another person's hands it could be a powerful card. I'd love to see a woman president, but she's the wrong person. She's a disaster. Remember the famous call at 3:00 in the morning, she was sleeping. She was sleeping. It was her ad, what would you like at 3:00 in the morning? Well, the phone rang, she was sleeping. She would be a terrible president. The only thing she's got -- she's got nothing else to play. She's guilty as hell in the e-mails. You have Whitewater. Her whole life has been crooked. You look at the foundation, the whole life, and the only card she's got is to play the woman card. It may be good enough. A poll came out yesterday where I was essentially even with her and I haven't focused on her.” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 4/26/16]

Trump: “It’s A Rigged System. It Is A Crooked System. It Is As Crooked Almost As Hillary Clinton.” TRUMP: “We have -- despite the fact system is totally rigged and it is rigged, it a bad system, we have hundreds and hundreds of delegates more. This is supposed to be an incredible weekend. You must go out and vote tomorrow. It's a rigged system. It is a crooked system. It is as crooked almost as Hillary Clinton. She is crooked Hillary. She is crooked Hillary.” [Campaign Rally, West Chester PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Said Hillary Clinton “Is Going To Open Up The Borders,” And “We Don’t Know Who These People Are Or Where The Hell They Come From.” TRUMP: “A great poll that has me even with Hillary Clinton. That's nothing, I haven't even started with crooked Hillary yet. We have even started. Amazing. Amazing. Oh, that crooked Hillary, the same old stuff. Years and years of watching it, it’s always the same. But she’s not bringing back jobs. She doesn’t know the first thing about it. She’s going to open up the borders. I don’t know if you saw the reports today. More people are coming across the southern borders them practically ever before. It is out of control. We don’t know who these people are or where the hell they come from. And the border patrol are amazing people.” [Campaign Rally, Wilkes-Barre PA, 4/25/16]

Trump Admitted Hillary Clinton Was Qualified, But Said She Had “Bad Judgement.” TRUMP: “They ought to quit so we can all get to together, we can all unify, and we can all go against crooked Hillary Clinton And beat her-- really, really beat her big league. She will be a terrible president have to tell you if she wins. Even Kasich what he has said about her. That she has bad judgment he said. But they said, ‘Don't say that anymore that is terrible.’ He said she is not qualified. Now that is a little--  I mean, who is not qualified? We are all qualified.  But then he said, ‘OK, I will take a back.’ But what he said was amazing and she has bad judgment even on the emails-- it is criminal-- but it is bad judgment, really bad judgment. If you look at Syria and Libya and all the problems in the Middle East and what the hell has happened to the world?” [Campaign Rally, Wilkes-Barre PA, 4/25/16]