Sen. Kennedy urges Trump to focus on affordability, address nation on Iran ahead of midterm elections

Washington- Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana on Sunday urged President Trump to focus on affordability as the midterm elections approach, emphasizing that Americans will be more concerned about the cost of living as the polls approach in November.

The midterm elections “are going to be close” Kennedy said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan“ “It would be helpful if the president remained focused on the cost of living.”

Kennedy cited his recent visits to battleground states, where he is perplexed by Republican candidates, saying, “When moms and dads lay down to sleep at night and can’t,” they “worry about the cost of living.”

“And they’re a little worried about Iran because they don’t understand why, but they know the two are inextricably linked,” Kennedy said. “And we need to be up front and address these issues.”

The Louisiana Republican said he wants the president to address the nation on the war in Iran, or defer to the secretary of state or the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I would like to see him give a speech nationally or let (Secretary of State Marco) Rubio and General (Dan) Caine do it and explain why we went to Iran, why we are winning and how we are going to get out of there,” Kennedy said.

In July, Kennedy said on “Face the Nation,” he would call on Rubio and Caine or others to “explain what’s happening in Iran” to Americans. He noted Sunday that “the president doesn’t take orders from me, he barely takes suggestions.” But he said he was “pretty persistent” and would continue to make that recommendation.

The comments come as some Republican candidates in competitive races have broken with the president over the war in recent days, calling for a quick end to the conflict while emphasizing the need to address high gasoline and diesel prices.

Kennedy largely defended the president’s actions in Iran on Sunday, while saying the latest Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations was “not a serious offer.”

“We have to continue to do what we are doing: the sanctions, the blockade,” Kennedy said. “Now there is only one problem: The strait is at least partially closed, and that has had an impact on the price of oil. And oil is in everything, including gasoline, and that is extremely painful.”

Kennedy said, “We either have to find a way to settle this, or open the strait, or escalate the situation,” while noting that he would not support sending troops.

Kennedy says no official ‘should spend public money on private advertisements for themselves’

Kennedy also weighed in new advertising campaign touting the president, who says it’s paid for by the US government with taxpayer money. The ad aired on CBS, as well as other networks.

“I don’t think any public official, including President Trump, Kristi Noem or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private advertisements for themselves,” Kennedy said.

Earlier this year, the Louisiana Republican Party interviewed Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on her decision to spend $220 million on an ad campaign to reduce illegal immigration, in which she featured prominently. The questions were asked during a hearing days before his ouster.

Kennedy also nodded to the ongoing fight above the Kennedy Center, where Mr. Trump sought to add his name to the building.

“I also think we should have a rule that no politician can name a building after him during his lifetime,” Kennedy said. “I think that would settle a lot of this controversy.”