Dr. Kelli Ward, supported by President Donald Trump to challenge combative Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., in 2018, said the "establishment wing of the Republican party" is making a "big mistake" in challenging the president, leading to a "do-nothing Congress."
"I certainly think that would be a big mistake for the establishment wing of the Republican party to attempt," Kelli Ward told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo, when asked if she thinks the president will face a GOP challenge in 2020. "I think President Trump and his leadership is what the country wanted. That's why he's in the White House. And I think that he's got lofty goals that we should accomplish that will put America first."
The stalemated Congress is not just a function of obstructionist Democrats, as defecting Republicans are contributing to a self-inflicted wound against the president's agenda, which is what the public voted for last November.
"Unfortunately, we have a lot of people in Washington, especially in the Senate, who like to talk a lot, but don't like to get a lot of things done and haven't been able to collaborate with each other, House to Senate, within the Republican party to accomplish the agenda that the American people are crying out for," Ward told host Bartiromo.
Ward added she was not overly optimistic the fractured GOP can unite in time to pass big-ticket items before the end of the year, either.
"You know, I think it is going to be a big challenge because our government is set up be incremental and have incremental change, but if they aren't in Washington, D.C., putting their noses to the grindstone and getting things done, it's going be very difficult," she said. "I think the president and his leadership will go a long way, if we can get the leader in the House and the leader Senate to come together and accomplish those goals that America wants."
Short of that in 2017 or '18, Ward hopes she bumps Sen. Flake from the Senate and helps President Trump's agenda after the midterm election, where Americans supporting Trump can once again have their say.
"They are sick and tired of the do-nothing Congress and Senate, especially the Senate," Ward said. "So, I look forward to getting there and getting things done."
Ward pointed to polls which have her leading Sen. Flake "by double digits" because of his failure to back Trump.
"I think Sen. Flake is going in the exact wrong direction, attacking the president at every turn," Ward added. "But, remember, he's been a Never Trumper ever since the primary. He wasn't for Trump during the primary. He wasn't for the president after he became the nominee, and he certainly hasn't been for the president since he's been in the White House.
". . . The polls are showing I'm up by double digits on Sen. Flake. I want to work with the people in Washington, D.C., as well as the people across this country to accomplish the goals that are set before us to make this country great again."
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