Donald Trump has had just about everyone scratching his/her head over at least one thing he said since he started campaigning for president. The most recent one was his attacks on New Mexico governor Susana Martinez which left many of us asking, "Why?"
There's always the possibility that Trump is playing out some grand Chess game type strategy. But it's much easier to believe he's simply spouting off because he thinks that's the style his fans want. But still, why Martinez?
The best explanation so far might have been suggested in an AP article authored by Morgan Lee titled Donald Trump breaks with nation's only Latina governor, and here's the telling paragraph:
For Martinez, Trump's rise has quickly shifted her assured standing in the party. His comments struck at an open political wound, after members of the state Republican Party have assailed the governor and a top political adviser for their handling of the economy amid an oil and gas downturn. Unemployment in the state has fallen gradually to 6.2 percent in April, leaving New Mexico among the five worst states for jobs.
A state governor really shouldn't be credited or faulted for "handling of the economy amid an oil and gas downturn." That's something Democrats would say. Just listen to Hillary Clinton tell how Bill Clinton can handle a nation's economy. In reality, the best thing governors can do for their states' economies is try to prevent legislatures from rewarding their friends and piling regulations on everyone else.
However, the telling part of the article is that the state Republican Party apparently is in a dispute with her. Perhaps some local party leader had it in for Martinez and gave Trump an earful. So going into his speech, that's all Trump knew about her. And he opened up on Martinez with both barrels. Given what Trump has taught us about himself these past few months, that sounds like the most reasonable explanation.
In comparison to front runner Trump, another New Mexican, Gary Johnson, is really starting to look good right about now.
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