|
 Trump is under pressure to professionalize his campaign beyond a
close-knit group of advisers and expand the appeal of his
anti-establishment candidacy in the face of fierce opposition from
rival U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and a well-funded anti-Trump
operation run by establishment Republicans.
Trump announced he had hired Rick Wiley as his national political
director. Wiley, a long-time Republican strategist, had been
campaign manager for Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor who
dropped out of the presidential race last autumn.
"He brings decades of experience, and his deep ties to political
leaders and activists across the country will be a tremendous asset
as we enter the final phase of securing the nomination," Trump said
in a statement.
In addition, Trump's campaign arranged a meeting in Washington of
about a dozen U.S. legislators as the fierce anti-establishment
candidate tries to build more relationships inside Washington and
broaden his appeal.
 The meeting with the lawmakers and senior Trump adviser Ed Brookover
is planned for Thursday morning on Capitol Hill, congressional aides
said.
About a dozen lawmakers are expected to attend, some of whom have
endorsed Trump and some of whom have not but who are interested in
his message. Trump will not be there.
A series of policy speeches Trump plans to begin delivering soon
could be among the topics discussed, one source said.
"They're definitely planning several policy speeches ... and they
are looking for input on those," a Republican source familiar with
the situation said.
KELLY: "CHANCE TO CLEAR THE AIR"
The Trump campaign received some good news when Politico reported
that campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was charged last month
in Florida with battery on a reporter, will not be prosecuted.
Palm Beach County State Attorney David Aronberg is scheduled to
announce the decision not to press charges on Thursday afternoon,
Politico reported, citing sources with knowledge of the situation.
In another development, Trump met privately at Trump Tower in New
York with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly after months of attacking her
for the tough questions she asked him at a Republican debate last
August about his treatment of women.
Tensions between Trump and Kelly, and controversial remarks he has
made about abortion, have contributed to Trump's negative image with
women. Opinion polls show the New York billionaire is viewed
unfavorably by women by a wide margin.
Kelly said on her Fox News show she had asked for the meeting and
used it to request an interview. "We met for about an hour just the
two of us and had a chance to clear the air," she said.
In recent days Trump has attempted to soften his image with
important constituencies such as female voters.
[to top of second column] |
A group interview on CNN on Tuesday night featured Trump, his wife,
Melania, daughter Ivanka and sons Eric and Donald Jr., and showed a
more personal side to the often-brusque businessman.
Melania Trump said she had fussed at Trump to stop tweeting at
night. "If he would only listen," she said, chuckling.
PROSPECT OF CONTESTED CONVENTION
Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said the hiring of Wiley and, two
weeks ago, of delegate specialist Paul Manafort suggest that Trump
is preparing for a contested convention in July should he not win
outright the 1,237 delegates needed for the Republican presidential
nomination.
"Without having good people on your team who understand how to
navigate those waters, you're in big trouble," he said.
The steps point to a new phase of Trump's campaign after
vulnerabilities were exposed when he was beaten in Wisconsin by Cruz
and outmaneuvered by Cruz in the competition for delegates in
Colorado.
As the Trump campaign attempts to get a better handle on the
complicated delegate selection process, Trump is expected to send a
contingent to a Republican National Committee (RNC) meeting in
Florida next week.
Trump has been in a war of words with the RNC, accusing the party
apparatus of having rules that, for example, allowed party regulars
in Colorado to select delegates without giving Republicans there a
chance to vote.
Trump on Tuesday said that RNC Chairman Reince Priebus "should be
ashamed of himself."
Priebus, who met Trump two weeks ago at RNC headquarters in
Washington, said the delegate-selection rules have been in place for
a year and it is the responsibility of each campaign to understand
them.
"Complaints now? Give us all a break," Priebus tweeted.
(Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
