Weld says he is seeking GOP nomination for president in 2020 | Times Colonist - Bob Salsberg, Associated Press:
April 15, 2019 - "William Weld, a former governor of Massachusetts who two years ago ran for vice-president on the Libertarian Party ticket, on Monday became the first Republican to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 primaries. Weld, 73, said in announcing his candidacy that 'it is time to return to the principles of Lincoln — equality, dignity and opportunity for all.' He said, 'There is no greater cause on earth than to preserve what truly makes America great. I am ready to lead that fight'....
"The move by Weld makes Trump the first incumbent president since George H.W. Bush in 1992 to face a notable primary challenge.
"Fiscally conservative but socially liberal, Weld is known for an unconventional, at times quirky, political style and a long history of friction with the party he now seeks to lead. Weld endorsed Democrat Barack Obama over Republican nominee John McCain in 2008 , later saying it was a mistake to do so, and has enjoyed a decadeslong friendship with the Clintons.... Weld's nomination by President Bill Clinton to be U.S. ambassador to Mexico touched off a bitter public spat with then-Sen. Jesse Helms, a conservative Republican from South Carolina.... Years earlier, Weld was among a handful of top Justice Department officials to resign in protest over alleged ethical violations by then-Attorney General Ed Meese, long a favourite of conservatives.
"With little in the way of organization or outside money, and at odds with a majority of GOP voters who solidly support Trump, Weld's longshot campaign will target disaffected Republicans and independents who share his disdain for the president and embrace libertarian values of small government, free trade and free markets, and personal freedom.
"Alternately a politician, federal prosecutor, investment banker, lobbyist and even novelist ... the Harvard-educated scion of a prominent Boston family was a lifelong Republican before bolting the GOP to run on the Libertarian Party ticket with former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson in 2016. Johnson and Weld received about 4.5 million votes, a little more than 3 per cent of the national popular vote.
"Despite a pledge to libertarians that he would remain loyal to the party going forward, Weld on Jan. 17 walked into the clerk's office of the Massachusetts town where he lives and re-registered with the GOP....
"Weld has not won a political race since being re-elected governor by a landslide in his heavily Democratic state in 1994. He was first elected to the office in 1990 ... and quickly became one of Massachusetts' most popular governors in recent history. While holding the line on spending and taxes, Weld as governor embraced liberal positions at odds with national Republicans on abortion and gay rights."
Read more: https://www.timescolonist.com/weld-says-he-is-seeking-gop-nomination-for-president-in-2020-1.23792340
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April 15, 2019 - "William Weld, a former governor of Massachusetts who two years ago ran for vice-president on the Libertarian Party ticket, on Monday became the first Republican to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 primaries. Weld, 73, said in announcing his candidacy that 'it is time to return to the principles of Lincoln — equality, dignity and opportunity for all.' He said, 'There is no greater cause on earth than to preserve what truly makes America great. I am ready to lead that fight'....
"The move by Weld makes Trump the first incumbent president since George H.W. Bush in 1992 to face a notable primary challenge.
"Fiscally conservative but socially liberal, Weld is known for an unconventional, at times quirky, political style and a long history of friction with the party he now seeks to lead. Weld endorsed Democrat Barack Obama over Republican nominee John McCain in 2008 , later saying it was a mistake to do so, and has enjoyed a decadeslong friendship with the Clintons.... Weld's nomination by President Bill Clinton to be U.S. ambassador to Mexico touched off a bitter public spat with then-Sen. Jesse Helms, a conservative Republican from South Carolina.... Years earlier, Weld was among a handful of top Justice Department officials to resign in protest over alleged ethical violations by then-Attorney General Ed Meese, long a favourite of conservatives.
"With little in the way of organization or outside money, and at odds with a majority of GOP voters who solidly support Trump, Weld's longshot campaign will target disaffected Republicans and independents who share his disdain for the president and embrace libertarian values of small government, free trade and free markets, and personal freedom.
"Alternately a politician, federal prosecutor, investment banker, lobbyist and even novelist ... the Harvard-educated scion of a prominent Boston family was a lifelong Republican before bolting the GOP to run on the Libertarian Party ticket with former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson in 2016. Johnson and Weld received about 4.5 million votes, a little more than 3 per cent of the national popular vote.
"Despite a pledge to libertarians that he would remain loyal to the party going forward, Weld on Jan. 17 walked into the clerk's office of the Massachusetts town where he lives and re-registered with the GOP....
"Weld has not won a political race since being re-elected governor by a landslide in his heavily Democratic state in 1994. He was first elected to the office in 1990 ... and quickly became one of Massachusetts' most popular governors in recent history. While holding the line on spending and taxes, Weld as governor embraced liberal positions at odds with national Republicans on abortion and gay rights."
Read more: https://www.timescolonist.com/weld-says-he-is-seeking-gop-nomination-for-president-in-2020-1.23792340
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