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Patricia Borns, The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press Published 10:23 p.m. ET April 8, 2017 | Updated 10:42 p.m. ET April 8, 2017

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Vice President Mike Pence, aboard Air Force Two, lands at 4:27 p.m. April 8, 2017, at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers on his way to visit Sanibel Island, Fla.(Photo: Kinfay Moroti, The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press)

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. The sky turned spanking blue on the busiest Saturday of season for snowbirds soaking up their last winter rays, shark teeth hunters, weekend fishermen and residents anticipating the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence.

Rumors had been flying for days about the vice president's visit. Was he staying on nearbyCaptiva Island? No, Sanibel Island. No, its changed to Marco Island, where former House Speaker John Boehner gave a speech Friday night.

No, it's really Sanibel Island, about 20 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Fla., and 130 miles west of President Trump's Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla.

Related:White House photo reveals inside view of Mar-a-Lago situation room Related:Missile strike 'probably the best thing' Trump has done, Boehner says

There are all kinds of rumors going around. I think people just like to hear themselves talk, Sanibel resident Craig Allen said Saturday morning while shopping atJerrys, the local supermarket.

Pence and Air Force Two touched down at at 4:27 p.m. ET at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.His motorcade crossed the Sanibel Causeway about 30 minutes later.

Where Pence is staying, where he might play golf andexactly how long he will be here is not being revealed. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction Thursday for private planes around the island from Saturday through Friday, so he appears to be spending Easter elsewhere.

Related:Pence, House Republicans scramble to resurrect Obamacare repeal Related:Trump says Pence has 'one hell of a good marriage'

Year-round residents are used to seeing celebrities like Eric Clapton show up at George and Wendy Schnapp's Sanibel Seafood Grille; Johnny Depp at a Tween Waters Halloween party; and, regularly, NBC weatherman Willard Scott, for whom the island is a second home.

Resident Anita Smith wore a slightly irritated air as she went about her chores.

We dont have enough traffic without the vice president visiting? Smith asked.

Related:Stephen Colbert cracks himself up poking fun at Mike Pence Related:Mike Pence's 'Billy Graham Rule' has Internet yelling sexism

Yet traffic was surprisingly smooth for a day of the week when rentals all over the island were turning over. A police officer stood outside Royal Shell, calming traffic as half the real estate companys 500-plus rental properties were taking in new guests.

Many business people were afraid to share feelings about the visit because of sharp political divisions being felt across the country and even more so on a small island.

But Bridgit Stone-Budd wasnt one of them.

Stone-Budd, who opened Pecking Order Fried Chicken with her husband three years ago, wasted no time posting to Facebook Friday when she heard the news:

Then she tweeted to @mike_pence inviting him to dinner on the house.

I know Mike Pence is from Indiana, and Indiana is famous for fried chicken and waffles and fried pickles, she said.

Sois the Pecking Order.

Related:Pence jokes GOP health care bill needed help from WWE Related:Vice President Pence meets with his 'second-favorite' Reagans

Stone-Budd lamented that politics kept her from going gung-hofor Pence and the president, for fear of alienating patrons. After her tweet to the vice president, one customer said hed wouldnt be following her anymore.

Some of my customers replied, Goodbye, well miss you, she said.

Bridgit Stone-Budd, who invited the vice president to dinner, serves an order of her famous fried chicken. waffles and fried pickles April 8, 2017, at Pecking Order Fried Chicken on Sanibel Island, Fla.(Photo: Patricia Borns, The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press)

How do islanders keep it friendly with each other in these political times?

One of my staffs parents have completely different feelings about the president, Stone-Budd said. Were friendsthough. We just dont talk about it.

Sanibel Island, like Trump's Palm Beach on the Atlantic, is a wealthier enclave than most of Florida. The median household income is almost $100,000, just several thousand less than Palm Beach's $105,000; however, the median value of an owner-occupied home is almost $300,000 less than in Palm Beach: about $665,000 vs. $950,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

For comparison, the median household income for the United States is less than $54,000, and the median value of an owner-occupied house is less than $180,000. The median is a value in the middle of a set of numbers; half are higher and half are lower.

Across the Sanibel causeway, Dave Bailey sat beside the bay with a slack fishing line in the water and a crossword puzzle in his lap.

Did Pences visit matter to him?

It depends on what he does while hes here, Baileysaid. The political furor of this country has been so ramped up over politics. In Florida, were like, ho-hum.

Related:Vice President faces backlash for photo of Freedom Caucus meeting Related:Mike Pence calls Obamacare a 'nightmare' at Kentucky stop

Bailey is especially sensitized to big-name politicians because he lives the rest of the year in Colchester, Vt., home of 2016 presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Closing on 5 p.m., police cars began stationing themselves on either side of the causeway. Sirens wailed in the distance.

Since the first part of 2017, Vice President Mike Pence hasn't appeared before photographers in anything but a business suit. On Feb. 22, 2017, he took off his coat to help volunteers clean up Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Mo., after vandalism at the Jewish cemetery.(Photo: Michael Thomas, Getty Images)

The base of the causeway was almost empty of onlookers, save two women, who hadbeen waiting patiently for Pence to drive by.

This is everything, said Tamara Leone of Illinois, who was spending a few days visiting her mother.

Leone had come to the spot to show her support for the vice president, whom she admires becausehes not afraid to show his faith," she said.

On the other side of the causeway, an excited Amanda Wilcox rushed to the side of the road as a police car screamed by. U.S. Coast Guard boats churned up the water below, and helicopters patrolled the sky.

A Cape Coral, Fla.,resident who was here enjoying a birthday picnic with friends, Wilcox wondered if a rescue were in progress for a man in a green kayak who had been missing in these waters since Friday night.

Did she know that Pence would be passing this way?

I have no idea who that is, Wilcox said.

However, she does know about Donald Trump.

Hes so controversial. Of course I do.

Follow Patricia Borns on Twitter:@PatriciaBorns

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Vice President Mike Pence spends spring break in Florida - USA TODAY

It was another big weekend for the University of Findlay track and field teams throwers at the Marian University Knight Open. UFs womens team won three events. Alex DeVincentis (Liberty-Benton) captured the discus (159-3) and finished third in the shot put (45-5) while Erica King (209-4) won the hammer throw for the Oilers. UF did get a win on the track as Nicole Burlinson crossed the finish line first in the 800 (2:21:66). Several other former area prep standouts placed for the Oilers womens team. Aubreah Manns (Riverdale) was sixth in the 800 (2:31.53), Liz Streacker (Liberty-Benton) was third in the hammer throw (179-10) and Holly Averesch (Leipsic) ended up third in the discus (145-4) and sixth in the shot (42-4). In the mens meet, Ben Hahler led UF with a winning effort of 56-4 in the shot put. Liberty-Benton grad Austin Combs was second in the hammer throw (189-9), fifth in the discus (150-10) and fourth in the shot put (52-11). Ty Gleason (Liberty-Benton) was second in the 5,000-meter steeplechase (10:45.32) while Clint Recker (Arcadia) ended up fourth in the 110 hurdles (15.41). The Oilers also had athletes competing at Eastern Kentucky Universitys Hilltopper Relays. UFs Derek Spindler was third in the mens pole vault at 15-10. Semoy Hemmings led the Oilers women by placing second in the 400 in a time of 56.00 seconds. Ottawa-Glandorf grad Madison Stechschulte anchored the Oilers seventh place 400 relay team (48.41).

Eastern Kentucky Hilltopper Relays UF MENS FINISHES PV 3, Spindler 15-10. 400 RELAY 7, Capers, Shelby, Jellison, Williams 42.64. 110 HH 5, Shelby 14.65. 400 5, Effah 48.90. UF WOMENS FINISHES 400 RELAY 7. Glass, Hemmings, Sheipman, Stechschulte 48.41. 200 8, Glass 24.78. 100 IH 3, Glass 13.90. 400 2, Hemmings 56.00. Marion University Open UF MENS FINISHES 3,000 STEEPLECHASE 2, Gleason 10:45.32. 5, Towalski 13:41.70. 110 HH 4, Recker 15.41. 400 5, Grieger 51.22. SHOT 1, Hahler 56-4. 4, Combs 52-11. 8, Martin 46-10. DISCUS 3, Hahler 163-8. 5, Combs 150-10, 6, Adkins 146-2. 7, Gardner 138-3. HAMMER 2, Combs 189-9. 5, Adkins 157-2. 7, Martin 126-7. UF WOMENS FINISHES 1,500 8, Bolinger 4:56.33. 800 1, Burlinson 2:21.66. 6, Manns 2:31.53. 5,000 5, Purdy 19:55.63. 200 7, Seibert 27.83. HAMMER 1, King 209-4. 2, Ty. Gumbs 185-2. 3, Streacker 179-10. 8, Tr. Gumbs 151-1. DISCUS 1, DeVincentis 159-3. 3, Averesch 145-4. SHOT 2, Tr. Gumbs 47-1. 3, DeVincentis 45-5. 6, Averesch 42-4. 7, Ty. Gumbs 41-10. Softball goes 1-3 The University of Findlay salvaged a 1-3 weekend in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play by splitting a pair of games with Ferris State on Sunday. On Saturday, UF was swept 6-0 and 6-4 in a GLIAC doubleheader with Grand Valley State . During Sundays win, Destinie Keeton doubled with a pair of singles driving in a run and Lauren Trumpler (Hopewell-Loudon) added a two-run double as the Oilers scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to erase a 4-3 deficit. Amanda Delamonte added an RBI triple. Findlay (17-16 overall, 7-5 GLIAC) mustered just one hit, a single by Breanna Cleland, in Sundays opener. Catcher Sarah Merediths grand slam home run was the big blow for Ferris State (13-17, 6-6). In Saturdays first game, GVSU starter Allison Lipovsky allowed four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts to silence the Oilers. The Lakers (15-15, 5-5) got back-to-back RBI singles from Shannon Flaherty and Jessica Ramos in the top of the seventh inning to win the opener. Keeton smacked a three-run homer in the first inning and Trumpler had a double among her three hits for the Oilers in the second game against Grand Valley State.

Sundays Games FIRST GAME Findlay 000 000 0 0 1 3 Ferris State 004 010 x 5 8 1 WP Bates (8-3). LP Inman. top hitters: (FSU) Fleming 2B, RBI; Hongisto 2B; Meredith HR, 4 RBI; Johnson 2-1B. (UF) Cleland 1B SECOND GAME Ferris State 012 010 0 4 10 3 Findlay 102 006 x 9 9 0 WP Bryan (10-7). LP Bates (8-4). top hitters: (UF) Keeton 2-1B, 2B, RBI; Trumpler 2B, 2 RBI; Apple 1B, RBI; Delmonte 3B, RBI. (FSU) Hongisto 2B, 2 RBI; Johnson 2-1B RBI; Darwin 2-1B. records: Ferris State 13-17 overall, 6-6 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic League; Findlay 17-16, 7-5. Saturdays Games FIRST GAME Findlay 000 000 0 0 4 4 Grand Valley State 200 220 x 6 10 1 WP Lipovsky (6-3). LP Inman (5-5). top hitters: (UF) Cejer 2-1B. (GVS) Lenza, Ramos & Balbach 1B, RBI. SECOND GAME Grand Valley State 000 013 2 6 12 1 Findlay 300 001 0 4 9 1 WP Reinhold (3-4). LP Bryan (9-7). top hitters: (GVS) Ramos HR, 2B, 1B, 2 RBI; Latour 2-1B, RBI; Czart 1B, RBI. (UF) Trumpler 2B, 2-1B; Delmonte 2-1B; Keeton HR, 1B, 3 RBI. records: Grand Valley State 15-15 overall, 5-5 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference; Findlay 16-15, 6-4. Hillsdale tags Oilers HILLSDALE, Mich. Hillsdale played home-run-derby with the University of Findlay pitching on Sunday, clobbering eight homers in completing a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference weekend sweep of the Oilers at Simpson Field in Hilldsale, Michigan. Hillsdale went deep twice on Saturday, once each in 10-2 and 9-2 wins over UF. That was just the warm up for Sunday, when the Chargers went yard eight times in beating UF 11-7 in the first game and 9-5 in the second. Hillsdales Dylan Lottinville, who hit a grand slam in Saturdays opener, hit another homer in Sundays second game. The Chargers outfielder/first baseman was 5-for-12 over the four-game weekend and drove in 10 runs. Ethan Wiskur and Colin Boerst went deep in both of Sundays games, with Wiskur belting a solo shot in the first game and a pair of two-run blasts in the second. UFs Josh Schwerer had an RBI double in the opener and a triple in the second game on Sunday. Peter Yorgen (3 RBI), Pete Burkett and Austin Rawlins also doubled in the opener. Casey Gould (2-1B), Derrick Herd (2-1B) and Cameron Johnson (1B, 2B) all had two hits in the second game for UF (17-11, 7-9 GLIAC). Hillsdale only outhit Findlay 16-15 in Saturdays doubleheader. But the Chargers (15-16, 8-8 GLIAC) capitalized on 18 walks and three Findlay errors in sweeping both games. Jorgen collected a double, three singles and an RBI over the two games. Sundays Games First Game Findlay 003 020 2 7 8 2 Hillsdale 000 254 x 11 9 1 WP Burch (3-3). LP Kline. top hitters: (UF) Yorgen 2B, 1B, 3 RBI; Burkett 2B, RBI; Rawlins 2B, RBI; Schwerer 2B, RBI. (HU) Boerst HR, 1B, 2 RBI; Ring HR, 2 RBI; Wiskur HR, 2B, 1B, RBI; Mitchell 2B; Walts HR, 3 RBI. SECOND GAME Findlay 001 100 120 5 10 0 Hillsdale 025 110 00x 9 12 1 WP Verbrugge (2-5). LP Kennedy (2-1). top hitters: (UF) Gould 2-1B, 2 RBI; Herd 2-1B; Johnson 1B, 2B; Merriman 1B, RBI; Schwerer 3B. (HC) Boerst 1B, HR, RBI; Wiskur 2-HR, 1B, 4 RBI; Lottinville 2-1B, HR, 4 RBI. records: Findlay 17-11 overall, 7-9 Great Lakes Intercollegiate; Hillsdale 15-16, 8-8.

Saturdays Games FIRST GAME Findlay 100 100 0 2 8 0 Hillsdale 000 433 x 10 8 2 WP Kruse (5-2). LP Gossard (1-3). top hitters: (UF) Yorgen 2-1B, 2B; Rawlins 2-1B, RBI. (Hill) Walts 2-1B, 2 RBI; Lottinville HR, 5 RBI. SECOND GAME Findlay 002 000 000 2 7 3 Hillsdale 042 0200 10x 9 8 3 WP Rominski (2-2). LP Rodesky (2-3). top hitters: (UF) Harrah 2B, 1B, RBI; Yorgen 1B, RBI. (Hill) Hites 2-1B, 2 RBI; Boerst 1B, RBI; Ring HR, RBI; Walts & Lottinville 1B, RBI; OHearn 2B, 1B, 2 RBI. Lacrosse rolls The University of Findlay womens lacrosse team improved to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with by whipping Northern Michigan 20-2 at the Armstrong Sports Complex. The Oilers jumped out to an 11-0 lead at the break and never looked back. The Oilers out-shot NMU 43-7 and held a 45-18 advantage in ground balls. The Wildcats also turned the ball over 32 times. Freshman Ciara Burud led UF with three goals, three assists and three ground balls while senior Kyra Bradley had three goals, two assists, three ground balls and caused two turnovers. Maddi Brown contributed three goals and one assist while sophomore Brie Caruso and senior Allison Kelly each scored two goal. Junior goalkeeper Rachel Heath picked up the win as she recorded four saves. Equestrian wins The University of Findlay English equestrian team rode away with the team championship at Saturdays Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone 6 meet at the Oilers James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex. With its performance, UF qualified as a team to the 50th IHSA National Championship, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. in May. Individually, Marco Polo Uchoa advanced to nationals and will compete in Open Equitation Over Fences, Jessie Hood in the Walk/Trot/Canter, and Hannah McColl in the Walk/Trot event. UF FINISHES Individual Open Equitation Over Fences 1, Marco Polo Uchoa. Collegiate Cup Open Equitation Over Fences 3, Elle Brady. Collegiate Cup Intermediate Equitation Over Fences 3, Alexa Murray. Collegiate Cup Novice Equitation Over Fences 2, Breanna Hertz. Individual Open Equitation on the Flat 3, Marco Polo Uchoa. Collegiate Cup Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation 1, Brianna Hallman. Collegiate Cup Open Equitation on the Flat 2, Alyssa Simin. Individual Walk/Trot Equitation 2, Hannah McColl. Collegiate Cup Novice Equitation on the Flat 3, Breanna Hertz. Individual Intermediate Equitation on the Flat 4, Courtney OConnor. Collegiate Cup Walk/Trot Equitation 1, Jane Swanton . Individual Walk/Trot/Canter Equitation 2, Jessie Hood. Collegiate Cup Intermediate Equitation on the Flat 2, Alexa Murray. Womens golf is 7th BOWLING GREEN After a solid opening-round 318 on Saturday, the University of Findlay womens golf team fired a 346 on Sunday on its way to placing seventh in the 10-team Bowling Green State University Delores Black Invitational at Stone Ridge Golf Club. Ohio University topped Bowling Green 615-630 for first place. The Oilers finished with 664 strokes. Makenzie Torres led UF by finishing in a tie for 15th place with a 77-83160. Kelsey Koesters was 22nd (79-84163), Meredith Wipper finished 27th (80-84164) and Mackenzie Keenow ended up 31st (84-82166). Ohios Hailey Hrynewich was the medalist with a one-over par 73-72145.

TEAM STANDINGS 1, Ohio 615. 2, Bowling Green 630. 3, Central Michigan 635. 4, Oakland 637. 5, Cleveland State 643. 6, Illinois-Chicago 660. 7, Findlay 664. 8, Ferris State & Detroit Mercy 670. 10, Lawrence Tech 676.

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UF roundup: Another big weekend for UF's throwing corps - The Courier

For the last two presidents, their preferred leisure time has been spent primarily playing golf. Which, again, is totally fine! Being president, in case you might not be able to guess, is a very stressful job. You need ways to blow off steam.

The problem for Trump is -- and stop me if you've heard this one before -- the fact that he was very, very outspoken about the number of rounds of golf that President Barack Obama played during his time in the White House.

And then there is the fact that Trump promised on the campaign trail that he wouldn't be golfing if he got elected president because he would be too busy cutting great deals on behalf of the American people. "I'm going to be working for you. I'm not going to have time to go play golf," Trump said in August 2016 on the campaign.

If he ever did play golf, Trump promised, he wouldn't just play with his buddies like Obama did, but rather use the golf course as a sort of outdoor board room -- playing with foreign leaders, members of Congress and the like to convince them about something or other related to the running of the country.

The point of this all is that Trump has made the bed he is currently lying in. Had he said nothing about his predecessor's leisure habits, there'd be no stories -- or, at least, a whole lot fewer stories -- about his own love of the links. But since Trump attacked Obama relentlessly for his golf outings, it's difficult to turn around and say that it mattered for Obama but not for him. Golf is just golf. But, it's a reminder that Trump doesn't really believe that what's good for the goose is good for the gander. He sees no apparent hypocrisy in railing against Obama's golf-playing while playing even more golf himself.

Welcome to the wonderful world of contradictions that is President Trump.

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Donald Trump's golf problem - CNN

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - Neil Gorsuch, U.S. President Donald Trumps Supreme Court appointee, is due to be sworn in on Monday morning with a formal appearance at the White House, marking the biggest triumph so far for the new administration.

The lifetime appointment reinstates the nine-seat courts 5-4 conservative majority, fulfilling an important Trump campaign promise.

He will be a great Justice, Trump said in a Twitter post on Saturday. Very proud of him!

Gorsuch, 49, was the youngest Supreme Court nominee since Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1991 picked Clarence Thomas, who was 43 at the time. Gorsuch could be expected to serve for decades, while Trump could make further appointments to the high court to make it even more solidly conservative because three of the eight justices are 78 or older.

Gorsuch, whom the Senate confirmed on Friday, will take his judicial oath at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) in a Rose Garden ceremony. It will be administered by Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, for whom Gorsuch clerked as a young lawyer.

Gorsuch will become the first justice to serve alongside a former boss.

At 9 a.m. EDT, Gorsuch is due to take his separate constitutional oath, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court .

The Senate, which last year refused to consider Democratic former president Barack Obamas nominee to the court, on Friday voted 54-45 to approve Colorado-based federal appeals court judge Gorsuch. The vote brought to an end to an almost 14-month battle over a vacancy created by the death of conservative justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016.

Once sworn in, Gorsuch can prepare for the next round of oral arguments, starting on April 17, at the court, whose current term ends in June.

He will also participate in the justices private conference on Thursday to consider taking new cases. Appeals are pending on expanding gun rights to include carrying concealed firearms in public, state voting restrictions that critics say are aimed at reducing minority turnout, and allowing business owners to object on religious grounds to providing gay couples certain services.

Gorsuch could also play a vital role in some cases on which his new colleagues may have been split 4-4 and therefore did not yet decide. Those cases may have to be reargued in the courts next term, which starts in October.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

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Donald Trump's Supreme Court Appointee To Be Sworn In - Huffington Post

President Donald Trump has far more than three years left in his first term. But inside his pressure-cooker of a White House, aides and advisers are sweating the next three weeks.

The symbolic 100-day mark by which modern presidents are judged menaces for an image-obsessed chief executive whose opening sprint has been marred by legislative stumbles, legal setbacks, senior staff kneecapping one another, the resignation of his national security adviser and near-daily headlines and headaches about links to Russia.

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The date, April 29, hangs over the West Wing like the sword of Damocles as the unofficial deadline to find their footing or else.

But however real Trumps frustrations are with the three rival power centers he has installed chief of staff Reince Priebus, son-in-law Jared Kushner and chief strategist Stephen Bannon top officials inside and around the White House dont expect Trump to make any drastic changes until after 100 days, lest staff turmoil stories swamp a key stretch of media coverage.

That reprieve unless Trump simply decides hes had enough has both bought his staff a little time and put them on edge.

One hundred days is the marker, and weve got essentially two-and-a-half weeks to turn everything around, said one White House official. "This is going to be a monumental task.

For a president who often begins and ends his days imbibing cable news, the burden has fallen heavily on a press team that recognizes how well they sell Trumps early tenure in the media will likely color the presidents appetite for an internal shake-up.

That was the backdrop for a tense planning session for the 100-day mark last week.

More than 30 Trump staffers piled into a conference room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjoining the White House, according to a half-dozen attendees who described the Tuesday meeting.

Mike Dubke, Trumps communications director, and his deputy, Jessica Ditto, kicked off the discussion of how to package Trumps tumultuous first 100 days by pitching the need for a rebranding to get Trump back on track.

I think the presidents head would explode if he heard that, one of the White House officials present said.

Staffers, including counselor Kellyanne Conway, were broken into three groups, complete with whiteboards, markers and giant butcher-block-type paper to brainstorm lists of early successes. One group worked in the hallway.

It made me feel like I was back in 5th grade, complained another White House aide who was there. Thats the best way I could describe it.

Dubke, who did not work on the campaign, told the assembled aides that international affairs would present a messaging challenge because the president lacks a coherent foreign policy. Three days later, Trump would order missile strikes in Syria in a reversal of years of previous opposition to such intervention.

There is no Trump doctrine, Dubke declared.

Some in the room were stunned by the remark.

It rubbed people the wrong way because on the campaign we were pretty clear about what he wanted to do, said a third White House official in the room, He was elected on a vision of America First. America First is the Trump doctrine.

One of the administration officials lamented, Weve got a comms team supposedly articulating the presidents message [that] does not appear to understand the presidents message.

Dubke told POLITICO he was disappointed White House staff would complain in the press rather than in real time.

It was a brainstorming session and I really wish they had spoken up in the room so that we could have had an open and honest conversation, he said. It is unproductive adjudicating internal discussions through the media.

As for the rebranding remark, Dubke said that had been misinterpreted. There is not a need for a rebranding but there is a need to brand the first 100 days, Dubke said. Because if we dont do it the media is going to do it. Thats what our job is.

Trumps communications team is now plotting to divide their first 100 days into three categories of accomplishments, according to people familiar with plans: prosperity (such as new manufacturing jobs, reduced regulations and pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal), accountability (following through on swamp-draining campaign promises such as lobbying restrictions) and safety/security (including the dramatic reduction in border crossing and the strike in Syria).

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Amid near-constant talk of staff shuffling, Dubkes name has fallen below the radar, in part because he cuts such a low profile. He was a late addition to Trumps team after the initial pick for the job, Jason Miller, bowed out for personal reasons. A behind-the-scenes operator, Dubke has yet to appear on television, Trumps favorite medium.

But as most of Trumps senior team Cabinet members, military and economic advisers, Bannon, Priebus, Kushner and White House press secretary Sean Spicer went to Mar-a-Lago last week for the bilateral meeting with China amid the unfolding Syrian situation, Dubke was conspicuously absent and back in D.C.

That would tell you exactly how he is perceived, said one of the White House officials.

However, another White House official defended Dubkes internal role, saying before his arrival people in the press operation were doing whatever they wanted to do without a broader set of goals being defined. Dubke imposed structure and thats going to ruffle some feathers.

Still, the more sympathetic aide to Dubke admitted, He has not yet integrated into the senior leadership.

The constant presence of senior advisers encircling Trump has created a vicious and some officials say self-defeating cycle in which top aides feel they cannot leave his side, lest they lose influence or be perceived to have.

People are saying, Why is everyone traveling with the president? and in the next breath, You must not be important, youre not traveling with the president? another White House official complained. You cant have it both ways.

Trump hired Dubke in mid-February after a frustrating first month of bad press, telling Fox News later that month "in terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C+. But even after Dubkes arrival, Trump and his senior team have continued to seek outside advice.

During the failed push to pass health care legislation, Miller drafted a short messaging memo with four bullet points that was given to top White House officials, including Kushner and Bannon, according to four people familiar with the matter.

Miller, who now works for Teneo, the consulting firm created by former aides to Bill and Hillary Clinton, has been spotted around the White House twice in recent weeks, though he has made clear to friends in the administration that he has no interest in joining the White House.

The constant palace intrigue and internal jockeying has left the White House in a state of paralysis.

Trump parted with deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh in late March, his aides are discussing a reorganization and Trump himself has begun floating names to replace Priebus, his chief of staff, for feedback, according to a person close to the White House. On Friday, Trump ordered his two other senior-most advisers, Kushner and Bannon, to settle their differences in a Mar-a-Lago sit down after a week of their increasing shadowboxing through anonymous accusations in the press.

One White House official last week questioned why Bannon was taking on a member of Trumps family so openly.

For a Svengali that doesnt seem like a smart thing to do, the official said. I dont think that ends well for him.

A White House ally of Bannon noted that despite bumping up against Trumps son-in-law, he had held sway over the most crucial policy rollouts, such as Trumps hard line on immigration and trade. Anyone who thinks that Steve has lost his influence, they dont know what the f--- theyre talking about, this person said.

The strikes on Syria, a successful summit with President Xi Jinping of China and Fridays sit-down between Bannon and Kushner appear to have calmed some frayed nerves. Two people who have spoken with the president in recent days said Trumps mood has improved.

Still, the question of how to frame the first 100 days remains a challenge.

Trump aides are grappling with the reality that they will end this opening period with no significant legislative achievements other than rolling back Obama-era regulations. Even the White Houses most far-reaching success, the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, required the Senate rewriting its own rules to overcome Democratic opposition.

Though the White House continues to push for progress on stalled health care legislation, there are only five legislative days remaining once Congress returns from a two-week spring break. Plus, another deadline looms: Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress must still pass a bill before April 28 to keep the government running.

If they fail, a shutdown would begin on Trumps 100th day in office.

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White House on edge as 100-day judgment nears - Politico