Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/711204
ByStevePeoplesand Jonathan Lemire The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. Their party in crisis, Re- publicans' frustration with Donald Trump reached new heights on Wednesday as GOP leaders scrambled to persuade the presidential nominee to abandon divi- sive tactics that have led to sinking poll numbers and low morale. Party chairman Reince Priebus appealed to the New York billionaire's adult children to help. Worried that that may not be enough, Priebus also joined a handful of high-profile Trump allies in considering whether to confront the candidate di- rectly following a series of startling stances and statements with Election Day quickly approaching. Trump has exposed deepen- ing party divisions by refus- ing to endorse GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan's re-elec- tion and continuing to crit- icize the family of a slain U.S. soldier. An official with direct knowledge of Priebus' thinking was granted ano- nymity to discuss internal strategy after one of the most tumultuous weeks of Trump's presidential cam- paign. Trump on Wednesday dismissed suggestions that the GOP frustration was hurting his campaign, even as he openly contemplated an Election Day loss. "Wouldn't that be embar- rassing to lose to crooked Hillary Clinton? That would be terrible," he said during a campaign stop in battle- ground Florida shortly after he declared, "We've never been this united." Yet the most powerful Republicans in Washing- ton and New York's Trump Tower concede things will not change unless Trump wants them to. "The candidate is in control of his campaign," campaign chairman Paul Manafort told the Fox News Network Wednesday after- noon, highlighting his in- ability to control the nom- inee. "And I'm in control of doing the things that he wants me to do in the cam- paign." PRESIDENTIAL RACE GOP frustrations with Trump mount as allies weigh options By Paul J. Weber The Associated Press AUSTIN, TEXAS Texas agreed Wednesday to weaken its voter ID law, which federal courts have said discriminated against minorities and the poor and left more than 600,000 reg- istered voters potentially unable to cast a ballot. The state worked fast to soften the law before No- vember's election, moving from requiring voters to show one of seven forms of suitable ID — a list that in- cluded concealed handgun permits, but not college IDs — to letting those without such an ID to sign an affi- davit. That will allow them to cast a regular full bal- lot, and their vote will be counted. Texas must also spend at least $2.5 million on voter outreach before Novem- ber, according to the agree- ment submitted to U.S. Dis- trict Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, who must still ap- prove the changes. The changes come as judges across the U.S. are blocking several Republi- can-controlled states from imposing stricter election rules this November. Don- ald Trump referenced the rulings Tuesday while re- iterating his concerns that the presidential election will be "rigged" against him. North Carolina last week was found to have not only discriminated against mi- norities but passed tougher election rules with the in- tent on doing so. A court isn't done considering whether Texas had the same motives, but for now, the state and U.S. Justice Department agreed on looser voter ID rules to get through this election year. The joint proposal was the result of negotiations between Texas, the Justice Department and minor- ity rights groups who sued over the 2011 law, which a federal appeals court said last month violated the fed- eral Voting Rights Act. "The provisions we've agreed to now are critical safeguards for voters," said Houston attorney Chad Dunn, one of the lead attor- neys in the lawsuit against Texas. "It's a critical leap forward." A spokesman for Texas Attorney General Ken Pax- ton did not immediately re- spond to an email seeking comment. AGREEMENT Texas reaches deal on weaker voter ID rules Patrick's Pumping SepticPumpingServices Red Bluff, CA Garet Patrick Owner/Operator 530-366-6899 4patricks@att.net Av ailab le 24/7 Round Up Saloon Round Up Saloon 610WashingtonSt. Red Bluff Supporting Farmers Market with live music on Wednesdaynites call for dates (530) 527-9901 RUNNINGS ROOFING and CONSTRUCTION SheetMetalRoofing ResidentialCommercial • Composition • Shingle • Single Ply Membrane ServingTehamaCounty 530-527-5789 530-209-5367 No Money Down! "NoJobTooSteep" " No Job Too Flat" FREE ESTIMATES CA.Lic#829089B&C39 STOVEJUNCTION The TheNorthState'spremiersupplierofstoves 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Over 25 years of experience Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon Now Carrying! GreenMountainGrills & Accessories Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM | NEWS | 3 B