Weld could be GOP alternative

Bill Weld admits he is “not a fan of Mr. Trump,” which is precisely why he is running against him despite the two being members of the same political party.

Despite his competition moving forward, the Republican presidential candidate and former governor of Massachusetts told Newton Daily News he is a “happy warrior” and enjoys electoral campaigns and fundraising, though he concedes he is also “an odd duck” in that regard.

“Politically, the plan around the country is to try and enlarge the electorate in the Republican primaries,” Weld said, noting the state parties across the country are likely organizations in support of the incumbent president. “… So I’m not looking for help from the state parties. But I’m taking it issue by issue.”

While campaigning across the state this week, Weld visited teacher Tyler Stewart’s civics class at Berg Middle School in Newton to answer questions from well-researched students. Afterward, the 2020 candidate spoke with constituents during a lunch break at Uncle Nancy’s Coffeehouse & Eatery.

Weld was thorough quizzed by Berg students wanting to know his takes on President Donald Trump’s tax plan, the Affordable Care Act and the recent headlines surrounding the United States and Iran, particularly the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani.

“He was a master terrorist,” Weld said, acknowledging that he was once in charge of anti-terrorism at the Department of Justice in Washington under former President Ronald Reagan. “… I have said that the president didn’t need to do that so unilaterally without even talking to anybody in Congress.”

He added, “I’m not saying taking out that guy was wrong. I’m saying he could have done it, brought people in and just made it a lot less controversial.”

Instead of going about it like he did, Weld wished Trump had contacted the top four officials in Congress who are able to receive this type of information. However, he lamented this would be an impossibility since the president and House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., seemingly do not get along.

“And it’s all bound up a little bit to the impeachment,” Weld said. “… (Trump) is not likely to behave with anybody in Congress in a cooperative manner. As a matter of fact, the president has taken the decision that Congress has no right to investigate him, which is completely poppycock.”

More so, Weld believes that the charges against Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — are legitimate and should lead to the president’s removal of office. Another surprising fact: the Republican candidate, when prompted by a student’s question, suggested he would have no problem with having a Democrat as a running mate.

From a campaign perspective, Weld is focused on problems that will effect the younger voters like the budget and climate change, which he described as “guns being aimed at their head” and argued they are not being attended to.

At Uncle Nancy’s, Newton Daily News was asked by a group of women to ask Weld: “What are you going to do to fix this country?” The candidate would start off by not having trillion-dollar annual deficits, not penalize ally countries and “cotton up to” adversaries of the United States on the international front.

“And I’m going to do everything I can to avert climate catastrophe,” Weld said.

On that point, he can find common ground with his Democratic opponents; however, as a fiscal conservative, Weld has concerns about costs, no matter the issue. As a Republican, Weld sees himself like Robert Ray, the celebrated former governor of Iowa who died in 2018.

“Politics has changed since I worked in the house and the senate,” he said. “It used to be people got along and cooperated. And I’d like to take Washington back in that direction. It doesn’t cost anything, and I think if the Democrats were treated with respect by a Republican president they’re perfectly happy to work together.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com