Former President Donald Trump gently nudged the Republican National Committee against enacting a proposal that would enshrine him as the party’s “presumptive nominee” for president.
“While I greatly appreciate the Republican National Committee (RNC) wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE, and while they have far more votes than necessary to do it, I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.
“I should do it the ‘Old Fashioned’ way, and finish the process off AT THE BALLOT BOX. Thank you to the RNC for the Respect and Devotion you have shown me! “
The resolution was furnished by David Bossie, an RNC committeeman from Maryland former Trump 2016 deputy campaign manager, and comes as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley continues to jockey with the 45th president for the party nod.
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“Resolved, that the Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our presumptive 2024 nominee for the office of President of the United States and from this moment forward moves into full general election mode welcoming supporters of all,” the resolution said.
Bossie’s pitch, first reported by The Dispatch and independently confirmed by The Post, cited Trump’s victories in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary and argued that “money spent from this moment forward” would be more wisely used opposing President Biden.
Nikki Haley’s campaign brushed aside the RNC resolution. ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockDavid Bossie is largely seen as a key ally of Donald Trump. AP
Haley’s campaign was unimpressed with the pre-emptive maneuver.
“Who cares what the RNC says? We’ll let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our party’s nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders,” said campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas.
“If [RNC Chairwoman] Ronna McDaniel wants to be helpful she can organize a debate in South Carolina, unless she’s also worried that Trump can’t handle being on the stage for 90 minutes with Nikki Haley.”
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RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper told The Post that Bossie’s proposal “will be taken up by the Resolutions Committee and they will decide whether to send this resolution to be voted on by the 168 RNC members at our annual meeting next week” in Las Vegas.
Schipper added that RNC members frequently propose resolutions and not all are adopted by the membership
RNC rules require candidates to lock down 1,215 delegates to become the party’s standard-bearer in a presidential election.
Trump won at least 20 of the 40 available delegates from Iowa following his near 30-point victory, and is set to pick up at least 12 of New Hampshire’s 21 delegates following his 11-point win in the Granite State, per the latest data.
Ronna McDaniel predicted Donald Trump will be the GOP standard bearer. AP
Haley is set to gain eight delegates from her third-place finish in Iowa and nine in New Hampshire.
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While McDaniel has stopped short of directly calling on Haley to exit the race, she told Fox News Tuesday night that she did not see how Haley could overcome Trump and win the nomination.
“I’m looking at the math and the path going forward, and I don’t see it for Nikki Haley,” she said at the time.
“There is a message that’s coming out from the voters, which is very clear,” she added. “We need to unite around our eventual nominee, which is going to be Donald Trump.”
Donald Trump is agitated that he still has a primary challenger. REUTERS
Neither the Trump campaign, nor Bossie immediately responded to requests for comment.
Bossie is also the chairman and president of Citizens United, a conservative advocacy group.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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