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Mercedes Schlapp

Mercedes Schlapp

mschlapp@123washingtontimes.com

Mercedes Schlapp was a columnist for The Washington Times.

Articles by Mercedes Schlapp

Donald Trump and Mike Pence won the historic election of 2016. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Election’s lessons to children

The elitists thought that they were morally justified in criticizing millions of Americans for supporting a candidate who was an outsider. They might have the platform, but on Tuesday Americans exercised both their right to vote and their power to change the course of their nation's history.

November 10, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Delaware County Fair, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Delaware, Ohio. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump’s voter fraud concerns should not be ignored

Donald Trump created a media firestorm when he gave an unconventional and surprising response on whether he would accept the election results. He said that he would "look at" it and ended "I'll keep you in suspense." Hillary Clinton called his response "horrifying," despite other Democrats who have questioned our election results and systemic fraud in the past.

October 20, 2016
Protesters block an intersection near the Transit Center as they march uptown in Charlotte, N.C. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. Authorities in Charlotte tried to quell public anger Wednesday after a police officer shot a black man, but a dusk prayer vigil turned into a second night of violence, with police firing tear gas at angry protesters and a man being critically wounded by gunfire. North Carolina's governor declared a state of emergency in the city. (Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer via AP)

Obama’s failure of leadership, empathy as America’s cities burn

Why are American cities continuing to burn? Agitators and rioters are taking over peaceful protests in Charlotte and causing chaos and destruction, while lives are lost, police officers and innocent citizens are injured, and no solution is in sight.

September 22, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pauses while speaking during a campaign rally, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Wilmington, Ohio. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump will end complacency on the illegal immigration crisis

The mainstream media and the Democrats have become complacent on the issue of illegal immigration. President Obama and Hillary Clinton clearly see it as the norm simply to shrug and accept the idea that people can illegally enter the United States and stay indefinitely without penalty. For them, even raising the idea of curbing illegal immigration makes one a bigot or a xenophobe.

September 1, 2016
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton pauses to pose for a photograph as she talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a break in taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Hillary Clinton’s scandals are no laughing matter

Hillary Clinton believes the latest controversies dogging the Clinton Foundation and her State Department email exchanges and meetings are simply a laughing matter. The Democratic nominee is quick to blame Donald Trump and brush off any criticism over the cozy relationship with foundation donors during her time at the State Department as partisan sniping.

August 25, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to retired and active law enforcement personnel at a Fraternal Order of Police lodge during a campaign stop in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Trump pitches for the black vote

Republican presidential candidates have a long history of failure and frustration trying to make inroads in the black communities, let alone actively campaign for their vote, so what Donald Trump did this week was especially unexpected. Even with the odds against him, he directly made a pitch for the support of black voters.

August 18, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves after speaking to the National Association of Home Builders, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Republicans must unite behind Donald Trump

"Doom and Gloom for the GOP" -- the headlines speak for themselves as the media gleefully report that morale is low in the Republican Party and a growing number of traditional Republicans are expressing their discontent and unwillingness to support Donald Trump.

August 11, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Merrill Auditorium, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump campaign still has time to hit the reset button

Many in the Republican Party are feeling depressed these days following a brutal week of media coverage, infighting and disappointing poll numbers for Donald Trump. What is even more infuriating is that Democratic rival Hillary Clinton is vulnerable and beatable, but if Mr. Trump continues on this path of self-inflicted wounds and fails to broaden his coalition, he will hand over the election to Mrs. Clinton in the fall.

August 4, 2016
Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins wears a hat during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Democrats miss anger of voters at rigged system

Love will neither defeat the Islamic State and terrorism nor create sustainable economic growth, but at the fantasy world that was the Democratic National Convention, the party's leaders and star-studded lineup sidestepped the issues that poll after poll show are giving everyday Americans fitful nights.

July 28, 2016
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, addresses the delegates during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Ted Cruz lets the personal get in the way of the political

Just for a moment while watching Sen. Ted Cruz's convention speech, I was hopeful he would take one for the team, bury the hatchet and help heal the GOP during this divisive election cycle. Just maybe he would not think of himself and the next election in 2020, but instead about the urgency of winning this November, especially after the GOP has failed to win the presidency two times in a row.

July 21, 2016
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets striking workers outside the Trump Taj Mahal Casino and Hotel Wednesday, July 6, 2016, in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

In court of public opinion, Comey can’t save Clinton

Both the Democrats and the mainstream media are celebrating FBI Director James B. Comey's decision not to recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton after he concluded this week that "no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case" despite "evidence of potential violations." The Boston Globe even reported that "the darkest cloud hanging over Clinton's presidential hopes [has] suddenly lifted."

July 7, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a town hall-style campaign event at the former Osram Sylvania light bulb factory, Thursday, June 30, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Donald Trump could solve U.S. trade problems

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump is starting his own trade war — with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with President Obama, with many in his own party. They are shocked that Mr. Trump would even consider scrapping NAFTA if our trading partners refuse to renegotiate its terms. His renegade approach is causing panic among free trade supporters who are satisfied with the status quo.

June 30, 2016