Former RNC Chairman: Donald Trump Will Be Republican Nominee

CBS ^ | January 15, 2016 | Rich Zeoli

[VitacoreVision]

Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele says, following the last Republican presidential debate in South Carolina, Donald Trump will be the Republican Party's nominee for President.

Steele, responding to a question from Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT about who can defeat Trump for the nomination, said no one can.

"I don't think you can. That window has closed and I think Donald Trump effectively closed it over the last couple of months. You tell me who stops him and when do they do it? He's polling anywhere from 33 to 35, 36 percent in every poll in the country. He's now tightened the space between him and Cruz in Iowa. Cruz is still in the lead, but Cruz is slipping. He's down two points and Trump is up a couple points. You tell me who does it and you tell me when they do it? Folks start voting in two and a half weeks. You tell me that 33 percent, that 40 percent nationally, just drill it down to a New Hampshire or an Iowa, where he's leading by double digits, except against Cruz in Iowa where he's much closer, but he's at 27... You think those percentages are just going to dissipate?"

[ifinnegan]

These are the guys who said Romney could not lose.

They don’t have a good track record.

Trump even endorsed Romney in February 2012 before the race even started.

[JPG]

[Mollypitcher1]

Just telling it like it is! Refreshing!

[RC one]

The establishment is coming to terms with Donald Trump. Cruz is toast (and a side of canadian bacon).

[ifinnegan]

Trump endorses Wiilard at the start of the 2012 campaign, Feb, 2, 2012 in Las Vegas.

Winning!

[miss marmelstein]

Romney did get the nomination.

I think there’s a disconnect at FR; either that, or the Trump supporters are simply getting drowned out by the Cruz supporters. I do think Trump will get the nomination over Cruz.

[FreeReign]

The establishment is coming to terms with Donald Trump. Cruz is toast.

No thanks. I'll take the non establishment candidate.

[DoughtyOne]

Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele says, "I was a fool, but listen to me now!"

Steele..., now there's a resounding ex-pert.

[euram]

The only person who can defeat Trump is Trump.

We owe Trump a lot:

If it wasn’t for Trump the issue of illegal immigration wouldn’t be spoken of.

If it wasn’t for Trump the issue of Muslim immigration wouldn’t be an issue.

If it wasn’t for Trump the primary season would be as interesting as watching paint dry, and would not have done a thing towards brining new people to the polls.

If it wasn’t for Trump, Bush would probably be coasting along as the frontrunner.

Trump has practically destroyed Bush singlehandedly. Trump is the ONLY one who has shown any interest in actually fighting Clinton using her own tactics.

[miss marmelstein]

I voted for Romney. I wasn’t happy with the choice but I voted for him. So did other folks here. Trump can’t win with some people.

[ifinnegan]

Everyone knew from to got-go that Romney had no chance of winning the Presidency.

Except for GOPe/RNC who were deaf to it.

I’m thinking Romney becomes the first major endorser of Trump from the GOPe side.

[miss marmelstein]

That’s not true and you saying it does not make it true.

[vette6387]

“These are the guys who said Romney could not lose.”

Who are “these guys?” There are no parallels between now and 2012. The last 4 years have changed the country. Steele is right, Trump IS the nominee, and those who don’t like it will have to accept the decision the bulk of the GOP electorate have made. I just hope that the pi$$ing and moaning will not be lasting.

[Behind the Blue Wall]

Cruz is the last best chance to stop Trump and I think he fried himself with the New York values comment. Game over.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with you.

With Trump’s numbers and the incredible interest his campaign has garnered, the insults and charges he has weathered over and over, I don’t see it going any other way.

Folks, if Ted Cruz were at 35%+ and Trump was at 14%, would any of the Crewz folks think Trump was in the CatBird’s seat?

I don’t like Steele because of the incredible letdown he was, but he is right here.

[ifinnegan]

I sure voted for Romney in November.

I will vote for whomever is the best bet to keep the Dem nominee out of the White House in November.

As far as today, until this week I thought Trump had the nomination sewn up.

Not so sure now.

[DoughtyOne]

Exactly. I couldn’t sit out 2012.

One term of the foreigner was enough.

There was no way I would ever cast a vote for John McCain. That was one deal I would never sign on to.

[ifinnegan]

I agree with your post fully. Trump had been great.

But now, this, “The only person who can defeat Trump is Trump.”

I think he may well do that.