Ernst: Trump “Completely Rational” In Their Conversations

In tweets yesterday, President Donald Trump railed against former reality TV stars he hired and fired from his administration, called former FBI Director James Comey a “CROOKED COP,” congratulated Sean Hannity on his great “shoe” (he later corrected it to “show”) and said Fox News’ best shows were those that “are Fair (or great) to your favorite President, me!”

All said, it was a comparatively calm day for Trump’s twitter habits, but his rantings have medical professionals warning about the President’s mental health.

That was on the mind of one man at Sen. Joni Ernst’s town hall forum in Sprit Lake earlier this week, who told Ernst that experts believe “his actions and his speeches indicate he has a mental problem.”

Ernst quickly dismissed the concern.

“I’m not going to address that because in my conversations, the President is completely rational,” Ernst replied.

Trump came up often in Ernst’s forum, from his actions on the ethanol industry to the trade dispute to complaints about his general poor character. When she could, Ernst distanced herself from his personal actions, but defended his policy decisions.

“I do disagree with a lot of the rhetoric. What I do support is the policies,” Ernst said at one point. “With tax reform and reducing the regulatory burden on individuals and small business. I think we have an economy that continues to grow. Those are the issues I’m very supportive of. Rebuilding our military is something that’s very, very important to me.”

Up for reelection in 2020, Ernst’s political future will be linked in good measure to Trump’s, regardless of what she disagrees with him on. While Trump carried Iowa by nine points in 2016, it’s not yet clear just how much a toll the trade war and ethanol issue will cost him support in rural Iowa.

“What are you going to do about this statement or that statement,” Ernst said she is often asked when Trump makes an inflammatory comment. “The only person in this United States I can control is me. And, so, it is my job to carry myself and carry myself well, but treat others with dignity and respect.”

by Pat Rynard
Posted 9/1/19