Montini: Will Gov. Ducey stand with Trump and Arpaio?

EJ Montini: He endorsed one and took the support of the other.

EJ Montini
The Republic | azcentral.com
Gov. Doug Ducey cheers the nomination of Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention

Gov. Doug Ducey appeared in Phoenix with then-nominee Donald Trump when the candidate delivered an infamous immigration speech – Remember the “Build the wall!” chants? – last August in Phoenix.

Ducey spoke prior to Trump, providing what his office called “welcoming remarks.”

Will he do the same thing on Tuesday when Trump returns?

You’d think so, right?

After all, Ducey endorsed Trump. He attended the Republican National Convention and applauded Trump's nomination. 

I’m guessing that former Gov. Jan Brewer will be there on Tuesday for Trump’s appearance. Along with former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Trump has said he’s considering a pardon for Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt for violating a judge’s order.

Would Ducey support that?

As a candidate Ducey actively courted Arpaio’s support, praised him.

Ducey hasn't announced his plans

Things haven’t gone well for the sheriff since then. And things haven’t gone particularly well for Trump lately, either, what with his ham-handed attempt to establish a grotesque moral equivalence between neo-Nazis and those who oppose them.

Given all that, it might be a bit uncomfortable for the governor to hang with the president and the sheriff. Still, Trump is the president and Ducey supported him, just as he sought the support of Arpaio, so I’d expect that he would stand with them now.

If not, I’d be curious to know why?

The governor’s office hasn’t yet announced his plans, however.

I can’t imagine there’s anything more important on a Republican governor’s schedule that meeting with a Republican president, but if there is I’d love to hear what it is.

I’ve asked the governor’s office about this but haven’t heard back. I'm sure they're very busy, and responding to a newspaper writer isn't a priority. 

I hope, however, he has RSVPed the president.

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