For GOP nominee, does business trump presidential campaign?
With 13 days to go until the election, the most precious commodity for Donald Trump is time. But Trump is taking time out from campaigning Wednesday morning to open his new hotel a few blocks from the White House – in the District of Columbia, where Democrats usually rack up 90 percent of the presidential vote.
Trump’s hotel ribbon-cutting will be his second marketing event of the week, raising questions about the seriousness of his campaign, even as he tries to exploit Obamacare woes in its closing days, reports CBS News correspondent Major Garrett.
Donald Trump’s campaign started a new line of attack, trying to link Hillary Clinton to President Obama’s health care.
His campaign jumped on the news that Obamacare premiums will rise by double digits next year. Trump used his new ammunition at the end of a campaign swing in Florida – a crucial state for him to win.
“Job-killing Obamacare is just one more way that our system is rigged, believe me,” Trump said.
In Tallahassee, Donald Trump said an average premium increase of 25 percent disguises the real damage of Obamacare.
“They know that’s not true, it’s much more. You’re going to have 60, 70, 80, 90 percent.”
Three states will see premium increases over 60 percent, with changes ranging from a 145-percent spike in Phoenix to a four-percent decrease in Indianapolis. Adjusted taxpayer-funded subsidies will help reduce some sticker shock.
“We get rid of Obamacare and we come up with a plan that’s so much less expensive,” Trump said.
Trump offered no alternative to the law, but traveled to his Doral Golf Club to say this about its effect on its staff.
“All of my employees are having a tremendous problem with Obamacare,” Trump said.
The club’s general manager quickly corrected Trump, telling reporters more than 95 percent of the staff is insured by the hotel.
“Maybe there’s a few that are insured through Obamacare, but very, very few,” the club manager, David Feder said.
On Tuesday night, Trump clarified.
“It’s a small group but it’s a group that’s having tremendous problems,” Trump said.
As much as he tried to stay on message, Trump couldn’t resist Vice President Joe Biden’s recent taunt.
“The press always asks me, ‘Don’t I wish I were debating him?’ No, I wish I were in high school so I could take him behind the gym, that’s what I wish,” Biden said at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, followed by cheers.
“Did you see where Biden wants to take me? To the back of the barn. Me. I’d love that. I’d love that. Mr. tough guy,” Trump said.
Trump’s ribbon-cutting here precedes a fundraising luncheon, as he and Republicans try to raise money to keep pace with Democrats who are pouring it on to win back the Senate and make inroads to the GOP House majority.
Then, Trump’s off to North Carolina,, a state that is right behind Florida in Trump’s must-have electoral vote strategy.