MIKE PENCE/POLLS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The Republican pollster who had planned to split time advising both Vice President Mike Pence and the United Nations ambassador, Nikki R. Haley, on national security issues withdrew from the dual role on Sunday [4-15-18] night, a White House official said. The move by the veteran strategist, Jon Lerner, who has no national security background, came two days after President Trump learned of the unusual time-sharing plan between Mr. Pence and Ms. Haley. Mr. Trump was displeased by the move for several reasons, according to three administration officials…Mr. Trump was upset about the move for two main reasons: Mr. Lerner’s background with the ‘super PAC’ that supported Senator Marco Rubio of Florida in the Republican presidential primaries, and his work advising the anti-tax group Club for Growth, which savaged Mr. Trump in ads during the campaign. At least one official suggested to the president that Mr. Lerner may have been connected to extensive opposition research efforts against him.”
–Maggie Haberman,”G.O.P. Pollster Withdraws From Role Advising Both Pence and Haley,” The New York Times online, April 16, 2018