These nevertrumpers were all early supporters of Romney and McCain. The issue for them is not trust. Who could trust Romney? They represent the moderate wing of the party and as we saw in the primary there are no moderates left in the base. They are a dying breed and will soon be gone. This would have happened with or without Trump.
Both Romney and McQueeg were ‘predictable’ and with ‘proven track records.’
In other words, they were wholly owned subsidiaries of the Establishment.
Even Cruz was predictable and had connections to the GOP.
To them, Trump is a total loose cannon.
I supported McCain and Romney, but am not a “Never Trump” voter—I go for the best of two electable options. In ‘08 and ‘12 it was those two.
It is distressing and irritating that there remains:
a) GOP holdouts who insisted the rank and file support McCain and Romney that are now refusing to support Trump. (see: Bill Kristol)
b) Trump advocates who are insisting that those Republicans who opposed him are low life scum who need to be jettisoned.
Reagan was right about not abandoning the party—and it seems to me both those in group a and b are moving in that direction. Anti-Trump holdouts do indeed need to get over it. And Trump advocates need to be congenial winners—knowing that in the end our goal is to defeat Hitlery and then govern in a respectable manner.
On a policy note, I think Congressional leaders who want to work with Trump really need to speak to him about entitlement and/or Social Security reform. Trump says he won’t touch it—which is a mistake in my opinion. George W. Bush was the last to make a serious try at this in 2005 and was resisted by Nasty Pelozi...and things are not getting better. We need to take care of it.
And we need to pray for a Spiritual Awakening in this nation. Without a revival that awakens hearts to Jesus, we are doomed.