Donald Trump won election to the presidency by fighting against the political and media establishment. Now that he has the White House Trump made it clear that he wants to put the establishment to work for him. Sunday he
picked the man who helped deliver not just his election but also a Republican House and Senate to serve as chief of staff RNC chairman Reince Priebus.
Trump had frequently attacked Republican leadership in Congress during the presidential campaign House Speaker Paul Ryan in particular. His supporters tried to challenge Ryan in the primaries to no avail and Trump himself dismissed Ryan as a loser" based on the 2012 election results.
Picking Priebus to run the White House sends an entirely different message. Priebus has a close friendship with Ryan both having come up the political ladder in Wisconsin. They have similar views on the long-term future of the Republican Party as well and both realize that the GOP has to improve its credibility with voters by delivering on its promises. Having Priebus as chief of staff provides Trump and Ryan an excellent opportunity to coordinate efforts as well as resolve differences on the down-low rather than in the media.
Having Priebus as chief of staff provides Trump and Ryan an excellent opportunity to coordinate efforts.
Priebus has a good working relationship with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as well. In fact both Ryan and McConnell reportedly requested Priebus appointment to the position. Trumps decision not only signals the value he sees in a good working relationship with Congress but also counts as a chit for Trump to call in with both men when needed.
Priebus holds a few chits himself. Republicans never had much danger of losing the House but Priebus work at the RNC on GOTV efforts tamped down the predicted losses in Ryans ranks. He still has a 46-seat majority in the House more than enough maneuvering room for tough votes later.
McConnell owes Priebus even more. Democrats had a 14-seat advantage in the 2016 Senate elections and needed only five seats to regain the majority. Thanks to Priebus work McConnell returns as majority leader rather than minority leader. Having Priebus in the White House offers Trump the opportunity to leverage that miracle when needed at least until 2018 when Republicans are expected to pick up several seats from Democrats.
Some expected Trump to continue as a disruptor even in office. He picked Breitbart.comchief Stephen Bannon to serve as his chief political strategist. Bannons animus toward GOP leadership is no secret but Priebus contacts with Ryan and McConnell will be more direct and oriented to policy. Picking both Bannon and Priebus at the same time hints at a White House willing to go toe to toe with the media and play hardball politics with Democrats while making the most of opportunities with fellow Republicans.
Thats exactly what Priebus will do for Trump as chief of staff maximize opportunities while minimizing internecine conflicts. The man who ran on his business and executive acumen just provided the first glimpse of it in his presidency.
Ed Morrissey is senior editor at HotAir.com and author of Going Red."
