GOP Sen.: Talk About ISIL ‘Probably Helps The Republican Party’

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Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) on Thursday suggested that the national debate about the Islamic State and terrorism has likely strengthened the Republican party recently.

During an interview on Bloomberg’s “With All Due Respect,” Portman was asked about the state of the GOP.

“I think the party is strong for a couple reasons. One, we’re in a period in our country’s history, sadly, where we have a threat from abroad again. And people tend to look to Republicans to help protect the country,” Portman said in response.

“I’m certainly finding that back home. It’s probably the top issue I’m getting. I had a tele-town hall meeting yesterday with seniors about, you know, issues like Social Security and Medicare, but what came up, you know? ISIS,” he continued. “And I think that, probably based on the polling I’ve seen, what I hear, it probably helps the Republican Party.”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) made similar remarks in November following the terrorist attacks in Paris.

“I obviously am not happy about the events that happened last week in Paris,” Rubio said on “Fox News Sunday.” “But I think it’s a positive development that it suddenly has forced Americans to confront more carefully the issue of national security because it is the most important thing a President will do and it is the most important function of the federal government.”

“I hope that we focus on that note more, not just for political advantage but because the world has become a very dangerous place,” Rubio continued.

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  1. Avatar for wwss wwss says:

    “Talk” about ISIS helps the Republcans? Wow … just imagine what “Action” on ISIS (rather than running around screaming that the sky is falling) would do for your image Senator Portman.

  2. One, we’re in a period in our country’s history, sadly, where we have a threat from abroad again. And people tend to look to Republicans to help protect the country," Portman said in response.

    FDR was a Republican? Who knew?

    It’s probably the top issue I’m getting. I had a tele-town hall meeting yesterday with seniors about, you know, issues like Social Security and Medicare, but what came up, you know? ISIS," he continued. “And I think that, probably based on the polling I’ve seen, what I hear, it probably helps the Republican Party.”

    The first two issues will be addressed later after Ryan has his say. The third issue needs to be addressed (at least with Portman) via two ways:

    1. Lindsey Graham believes that 20k troops need to be sent back to Iraq for an indefinite period. This will likely be more of an issue with the Iraqi Shias and Iran. How do you feel about that?

    2. There was an attempt by Senate Democrats to prevent those on the non fly list from getting weapons. The GOP majority blocked that vote and only one Republican voted yes to modification (Mark Kirk). Now Pat Roberts based his vote on the 2nd amendment, what are you basing your vote on, Senator?

  3. Sure, talk of ISIS will help the R party in the same way talk about weapons of mass destruction being in “Baghdad and Tikrit and east, west, north and south” of those places helped the R party.

  4. “…people tend to look to Republicans to help protect the country,”

    Really?

    If ISIL were to conduct a terrorist act once a month from now until the election, would Trump and the Republicans win?
    Isn’t that what ISIL wants? An administration belligerent toward Muslims?

  5. Portman will be in that huge (sorry) contingent of Rs escorting their children to Army recruiting stations so the children can back up their parents’ bullshit.

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