Trump's recent betrayal exposes GOP's impossible 'political needle': analysis

MS NOW producer Steve Benen said President Donald Trump had nothing but good things to say about Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) before he suddenly didn’t.

“In a post on his social media platform, the president said the incumbent congressman has been an ‘incredible’ lawmaker with ‘a strong Record of SUCCESS.’ Trump added: ‘Jeff Hurd has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!’

Roughly four months later, however, Trump was the one to let down Hurd after he rescinded his endorsement in this blue state election.

“Based on a lack of support … for the unbelievably successful TARIFFS imposed on Foreign Countries and Companies which has made America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before, I am hereby WITHDRAWING my Endorsement of RINO (Republican In Name Only) Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado’s 3rd District,” Trump announced on Truth Social. He added that Hurd “let me and our Country down. He is more interested in protecting Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for decades than he is the United States of America.”

Trump then put his support behind Hurd’s primary rival, nurse practitioner Hope Scheppelman.

“The congressman has found himself in a difficult position,” said Benen. “On the one hand, Hurd is a GOP incumbent in a blue state, hoping to hold on in a competitive district where the White House’s tariffs are unpopular and ineffective. It’s this pressure that pushed Hurd to break with the administration on trade policy. On the other hand, he’s also a Republican who tends to vote with his party, hoping to survive a primary challenge.”

But Hurd’s loyalty to stave of an effective primary from the right fell to nothing after he came out against Trump’s unilateral use of tariffs, which were unpopular in his state.

“The president, evidently, is not sympathetic as Hurd tries to thread a difficult political needle: Trump expects loyalty, especially on tariffs, regardless of the circumstances. Full stop,” said Benen.

There’s no telling if Trump’s vengefulness will cost Hurd the Republican primary, said Benen, but if it does it most certainly will Democrats hope of beating Hurd’s more MAGA opponent from the center.

It’s too soon to say with confidence what the president’s move will mean for Hurd’s career prospects, said Benen, but Democrats are hoping the president gets his favored candidiate. Sources report Scheppelman is a “polarizing figure” in the state. Members of the Colorado Republican Party even went so far as to oust her after she joined the party chairman in attacking the L.G.B.T.Q. community.

“The Colorado district that Hurd represents leans toward the GOP, but not overwhelmingly so,” said Benen. “And if local primary voters back Scheppelman over the incumbent, a race that Democrats are already optimistic about will become that much more appealing.”

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