It’s not been a good week for the president and it’s only Wednesday. Yesterday the market dropped almost 250 points, the worst day since Trump was elected. The presidents supreme court nominee continues to get questioned by the senate, and the GOP is facing an uphill battle for Thursday’s health care vote.
And late yesterday, the parent company of Sears and KMart issued a warning they may soon go bankrupt (Fortune).
What could go wrong?
Most of the morning headlines are looking at the health care bill, interpreting what’s next, including the effect on the 2018 elections. Bloomberg TV looks at the markets:
New York Times: Eyeing Trump’s Budget Plan, Republican Governors Say ‘No, Thanks’
…In private, Mr. Bevin has been blunter about the party’s disagreements. Just days before appearing with Mr. Trump in Louisville, he joined a conference call with the president’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, to protest a White House proposal to defund the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development agency that spans 13 states and steers millions of dollars in federal money to Kentucky.
Breitbart: Exclusive — Rand Paul: ‘Easily 35 No Votes’ Against Paul Ryan’s Obamacare 2.0, ‘I Would Predict They Pull Bill, Start Over’
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) told Breitbart News exclusively on Tuesday afternoon that he expects House Speaker Paul Ryan will be forced to pull the American Health Care Act (AHCA) before a scheduled Thursday vote because Ryan will not get the votes to pass the legislation.
FiveThirtyEight: Trump Is Tempting Fate On Health Care
House Republicans introduced their health care bill, the American Health Care Act, only two weeks ago. During that relatively short interval, President Trump’s approval ratings — which were never very good — have become a little worse.
Is that just a coincidence? Could health care be Trump’s undoing when so many things haven’t been? Let’s ask a few more questions about Trump’s popularity and the GOP’s health care plan. The health care bill probably has had a drag on Trump’s numbers, but it isn’t an open-and-shut case.
USA Today: Rules Committee to choreograph House vote to kill Obamacare
House Republicans are expected to clear the way Wednesday for a Thursday vote on the GOP’s Obamacare overhaul.
“This is our chance and this is our moment,” House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Tuesday after President Trump made a personal pitch to GOP lawmakers to pass the bill. “I think our members are beginning to appreciate just what kind of a rendezvous with destiny we have right here.”
The Hill: McConnell vows Senate will take up ObamaCare repeal next week
Republicans considering whether or not to back U.S. President Donald Trump’s healthcare reforms in a crucial House of Representatives vote this week face a painful choice.
If they vote against, they could face the wrath of a vengeful and combative president. If they vote for it, they risk retribution from the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch and other powerful right-wing players whose money can be pivotal in re-election races.
| Tuesday, March 21 |
| Race/Topic | Poll | Results | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| President Trump Job Approval | Gallup | Approve 39, Disapprove 56 | Disapprove +17 |
| President Trump Job Approval | Rasmussen Reports | Approve 50, Disapprove 50 | Tie |
| Monday, March 20 |
| Race/Topic | Poll | Results | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direction of Country | Rasmussen Reports | Right Direction 40, Wrong Track 54 | Wrong Track +14 |
