MSNBC panel praises Republican challenger to Trump as ‘a smart politician with nothing to lose’

Former Republican Governor Bill Weld could mount a viable primary challenge to President Donald Trump, the panel of MSNBC's "The Last Word" with Lawrence O'Donnell explained on Wednesday.

O'Donnell's panel featured presidential historian Jon Meacham and longtime GOP strategist Stuart Stevens.

Stevens, who worked as the top strategist for 2012 presidential campaign of now-Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT). He is now working as the general consultant for the potential 2020 bid by former Gov. Bill Weld (R-MA).

O'Donnell noted how challengers to sitting presidents often hurt the incumbent, with Pat Buchanan's challenge of President George H.W. Bush having weakened him in 1992.

The host asked if a primary challenge to Trump could similarly harm the incumbent's reelection bid.

"I think it's very possible," Stevens admitted.

"You know, Bill Weld, when he ran for governor in 1990, was a super longshot. I worked for him then," he explained. "He couldn't get enough votes at the Republican State Convention to get on the ballot, we had to get petitions."

"He won that and became the first Republican governor elected in 20 years in Massachusetts," Stevens noted. "So he's not afraid of big challenges, he's beat the odds before."

"He's really the perfect alternative if he decides to run Donald Trump. I mean, as U.S. Attorney he won 110 out of 111 corruption cases," he explained. "Running against a president whose campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, National Security Adviser and foreign policy advisor are all now felons, I mean, that's just a perfect contrast for somebody who can go in and clean up what is clearly a mess."

Meacham also used the word "perfect" to describe Weld challenging Trump.

"He's a happy warrior, I'm an admirer of Gov. Weld in that sense," Meacham said.

"I think he's perfect for this and I think he'll have fun and I think, as Stuart says, I think he'll communicate that he's having fun," he continued.

"He's perfect," Meacham added.

"And Stuart, as we know, there are few things more dangerous than a smart politician who has nothing to lose," O'Donnell reminded. "And that would be Bill Weld in this campaign."

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