Donald Trump's promise to protect entitlement spending such as Social Security could backfire if he is serious about not making any cuts, as he could find himself with no money left for other areas of government, and there could be "some tension there," Rep. Dave Brat said Tuesday.
"When he finds out in 10 years there's not a dime for national security and he wants to be pretty firm around the world, there will be some tension there," Brat, who entered the House after defeating former Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a surprise primary upset, told
MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program.
"[Also], when he finds out there's no money for education, transportation, running government, in 10 years you have to deficit finance the whole government."
Brat, author of the new book
"American Underdog: Proof That Principles Matter," also commented that Trump needs to firm up many of his principles, but then again, "our Republican brand hasn't done too good with principles.
You've got the rise of this anti-establishment [faction]. Both sides need to convince the American people that they are going to raise their wage rates instead of being flat for 30 years."
He said that when he is currently trying to talk former House Speaker Newt Gingrich into moderating between Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan on a "new contract with America" by putting down "10 things on paper we need to do," as that is something people want to see.
"I ran on six Republican principles in Virginia," said Brat. "My people hold me accountable. If I don't, I got calls, emails and they say, 'Hey, Dave, you promised this.'"
But he does believe Trump to be sufficiently conversant in conservatism, but people still want to see particulars when it comes to his plans.
Meanwhile, Brat said he thinks Gingrich would be Trump's best point for a running mate, as he his "politically savvy" and "forward looking."
He also does not have a problem with Trump's temperament.
"You've got Hillary [Clinton] and [Elizabeth] Warren, the kinder, gentler, they call Trump every name in the book and he says 'Pocahontas' and he's in the dirt in the media world. Come on, they are all adults. They are going back and forth hard."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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