In the middle of what's shaping up to be a tough 2018 midterm election for Republicans, not a lot of them are willing to go out on a limb about the next election, and whether they'll sign on for a second Trump term. CNN interviewed "more than two dozen GOP lawmakers, ranging from rank-and-file members, conservatives and party leaders," many who wouldn't say where they'd land in a Trump re-election bid.
"I don't know what the world is going to look like," said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, when asked if he'd endorse Trump for re-election. "But let's say it's not something I've given any thought to." […]
"Look, I'm focused on opioids," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, the veteran Republican from Tennessee, referring to efforts in Congress to deal with the drug epidemic. "And I was just reelected myself three years ago. So, I'm focused on that." […]
"That's a little loaded," said Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan when asked if he'd support Trump for re-election. "One: we need to make sure that he's actually moving forward and wants to go after this—so when he makes a declaration, then I think that would be a time to determine whether there are others (who) run or not." […]
The conservative South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford, when asked about backing Trump's re-election bid, said: "I'm worried about my own race right now." […]
"That's 2020—pretty far away," he said when asked if he'd back Trump for re-election.
Ringing endorsements, there. There is one Republican senator, though, who is falling all over himself to volunteer as Trump cheerleader number 1. That would be Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who tweeted his support for Trump, responding to the CNN story, and then went further, telling CNN reporter Manu Raju "The Trump movement is real. ... He will be our nominee. I'm confident of that, and I will support him." Guess who else is running for re-election in 2020 and who is continually having to fight off primary challenges from his right.