Thursday  1 August 2016 / Hour 1, Block A:John Fund, NRO, in re: Congressman Ed Whitfield in ofc for 20 years, but his wife became a lobbyist for The Humane Society. An ethics committee decided he’d given her special access (but no enrichment or quid pro quo alleged); Paul Ryan sent him away – “It’s time for you to go.”  “Failed to prohibit contacts between his staff and his wife”!  American people trending toward Ryanism?  Ticket-splitting: voters want divided govt, or they like the extant pol but want another person to serve in a different part of the ticket. Rob Portman running away with his election in Ohio; Las Vegas; more examples.  “Distinction between mouth and brain.”  Seventy per cent of Republicans say they'll vote for Donald Trump; also want some sort of accommodation with illegal immigrants. Bellwether of bellwethers . . .
Kentucky Republican to resign from House Retiring Rep. Ed Whitfield will resign from the House next week instead of serving out the rest of his term that ends in January. The Kentucky Republican’s early departure will set in motion a special election for his successor.