Posted on 10/08/2016 11:03:43 AM PDT by Alter Kaker
Reaction to the video of Donald Trump using explicit language and apparently describing himself forcing himself on women continues to roll in. And it is not good for the GOP nominee. Prominent Republicans are calling on him to drop out and elected officials are running from him and fast. See the full list of Republicans calling on Trump to step down at the bottom on this post.
The candidate isn't backing down, telling the Washington Post's Robert Costa in an interview today, "I'd never withdraw. I've never withdrawn in my life."
The Post reports, Trump called from his home in Trump Tower and said, "No, I'm not quitting this race. I have tremendous support."
Trump also tweeted, seemingly downplaying the firestorm that has consumed his campaign.
Just to give a sense of how bad things have gotten in the past 24 hours, he's lost Hugh Hewitt.
The conservative talk show host had been a strong supporter of Trump arguing Republicans must back him to get a conservative justice on the Supreme Court.
Carly Fiorina, who lost to Trump in the GOP primary, called for him to step aside and for the Republican Party to run vice president nominee Mike Pence in his place.
Add senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), neither of whom endorsed Trump, to the growing list of prominent and elected republicans to get out.
But, this would be significantly easier said than done according to a leading Republican election lawyer.
"People in the GOP are understandably nervous. People are looking for an escape," Ben Ginsberg told NPR. "The rules don't provide a ready-made escape. Nor do ballot rules, nor the electoral college. While people are looking for an out, this die was cast in Cleveland."
Ginsberg, who is a partner at the Jones Day law firm, spoke with the NPR Politics Podcast.
"The RNC rules allow for replacement of a candidate on death or declining the nomination, but no provision for replacing," said Ginsberg. "At this stage, Donald Trump would have to resign. There's no way to stage a coup."
If Trump were to resign, Ginsberg says, the GOP would have to go through a complicated process to nominate a new candidate.
"Under the rules, if there is a vacancy, it doesn't go to the VP candidate. It's a matter of rules. It can be anyone. Part of what the RNC would have to do is figure out the nomination rules to see who would be eligible. It's an all-bets-are-off scenario. There might be a political consensus for Mike Pence, but it is not mandated by the rules," he said.
But it is four weeks from election day. And the idea of a drawn out fight over the top ticket is almost politically unfathomable.
Elected republicans aren't waiting. They are now running away from their party's nominee. Senator Kelly Ayotte who is in a tough race for re-election and never endorsed Trump, now says she won't vote for him either.
Congresswoman Martha Roby in deep red Alabama says she can't support him either.
The reason is simple, as seasoned political analyst Stuart Rothenberg put it on twitter, "This certainly raises the possibility of a down-ballot bloodbath for Republicans."
Trump was initially supposed to attend a rally today in Wisconsin with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. Then after the video release, it was announced that Pence would attend in Trump's place. Now the Trump campaign confirms Pence won't be attending the rally either.
Sen. John Thune (R-SD), a member of the GOP's leadership, tweeted that Trump should drop out immediately.
For elected Republicans, it is rapidly becoming clear that merely rejecting Trump's remarks isn't enough. Every one of them can expect to be asked whether they are withdrawing their endorsements and whether they will even vote for their party's nominee.
Republicans Calling For Trump To Step Aside
Sen. John Thune (South Dakota): Third highest ranking Republican in the Senate
Sen. Mark Kirk (Illinois): Has run campaign ads distancing himself from Trump.
Sen. Ben Sasse (Nebraska): Prominent "Never Trumper"
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho): Rescinds previous endorsement
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia): She said the "appropriate next step may be for him to reexamine his candidacy."
Sen. Jeff Flake (Arizona): Did not endorse Trump previously
Sen. Mike Lee (Utah): Did not endorse Trump previously
Rep. Martha Roby (Alabama)
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah)
Rep. Barbara Comstock (Virginia)
Rep. Mike Coffman (Colorado)
Rep. Bradley Byrne (Alabama): Previous Trump supporter
Rep. Charlie Dent (Pennsylvania): Previously said he is not voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the general election
Carly Fiorina, former presidential candidate
Hugh Hewitt, conservative radio talk show host, previous Trump backer
Maybe when Trump gets in (and I still believe it is in the cards) he should renounce being a Republican and start a third party, something ballsy that just deals in the blunt truth!
I take it that the GOPe wants Pence to be the nominee. Pence the neocon, the globalist, the phony Christian governor who stabbed Christian small business in the back? no thanks.
I always thought that Trump should have picked Rand Paul.
Exactly.
Mr. mm said, when I just told him this, “What are they THINKING? Do they want to GIVE the election to Hillary?”
I tried calling Chaffitz’s offices. Neither of them would accept messages. LOL
Chaeffitz is a liar. I spent a fair amount of time on the hill and in one day you could hear worse. Many of them have roaming eyes and roaming hands too. Some of the married ones had their lady friends set up in apartments.
What a bunch of liars. Trump’s comments must have struck close to home for them. They know - first hand - that as congressmen they’re free to come on to women.
Mr. mm said, when I just told him this, “What are they THINKING? Do they (the Republicans) want to GIVE the election to Hillary?”
I tried calling Chaffitz’s offices. Neither of them would accept messages. LOL
Chaeffitz is a liar. I spent a fair amount of time on the hill and in one day you could hear worse. Many of them have roaming eyes and roaming hands too. Some of the married ones had their lady friends set up in apartments.
What a bunch of liars. Trump’s comments must have struck close to home for them. They know - first hand - that as congressmen they’re free to come on to women.
That would be a great response.
“The Stupid Party” shows why. The GOP - “Gay Old Pussies”
Can someone answer why Mormons oppose our nominee with extreme venom.
Whomever this Martha Roby is in Alabama, I’d suggest the conservatives down there read her the flipping riot act and let her know that she is going to be unemployed soon.
Republicans rate right along side demorats when it comes to embarrassment of this country.
BS is called for Hewitt being a strong Trump supporter. Yeah, only after he thought about it till he could think no more.
As to the remaining sheep in the flock - keep it up you bleating hearts. WE WANT TRUMP no one comes close to doing what this man has done. If you want US to look upon you as serious about our country, then you will wish to reconsider and give this a second thought. BTW, you’d best do this fast as Sunday evening is approaching - would be a shame for him to come out before the debate telling you PC or no = “You guys can go F**K yourselves. Americans and I are out to complete a mission with or without you”. Then he is free to disengage the car on the train and the entire lot can roll on down the incline and into the crevice like the Wiley Coyotes they are.
Stand strong and tall Mr. Trump. There is no one here who is able to cast the first stone. NO ONE!!!! Every last one of them has sinned, himself, in such a manner or worse.
PS Again, Thank you for your courage, and patriotic duty.
Regards,
I like your ‘Optional’ option. I saw a talking head
Hillary shill woman break down and cry on Fox News
over what Trump said a little while ago. But what Bill
did and what Hillary did about what Bill did doesn’t
bother this bitch?
Republican politicians need to have the Democrats
teach them what a spine is used for. Are you listening
Chavetz?
What’s with the Republicans in Utah? Does the Uniparty have its US offices in Salt Lake City or Provo?
Quote”
“Can someone answer why Mormons oppose our nominee with extreme venom.”
New World Order.
You took those words right out of my mouth...time for a third party...call it the truth party!
If Trump giving some woman an uninvited kiss is *forcing himself on women* then I've got a list too.
What woman was ever kissed by someone she didn't want a kiss from?
And using ONE vulgar word is *explicit* language?
They should hear from the guy that we know who used to chauffeur for her here in NY has to say about how she talks.
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