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 I've never withdrawn in my life."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
Its Alter Kaker, the Non Contribtor Anti-Trump Bullshit artist, filling FR with his Propaganda.
Bubba didn’t talk assault he actually assaulted women. The media wants to dig his grave and given the importance of this election I forgive trump for his words and blame Hillary for her actions
Totally EXCELLENT! Best election evvaah!
Sarah B, I’m so pissed at these people who will not stand up to tyranny. That smirk on Hillary’s face is only getting bigger now. I filled out a voter registration form months ago to become an independent, but I held off to vote for Trump in my state’s primary. I never got around to turning it in. I will now! Being an independent alone isn’t going to stop the Uniparty. We need a real third party with some sustaining power, organization and money to take these people on. Neither the Democrats or Republicans will ever change.
Huge’s Beeber Stuned! Story at 11.
The difference is Donald Trump apologized for his stupid locker room talk. William Jefferson Clinton never did for his behavior at the Oval office at the White House, and Hillary Rotten Clinton did neither for her behavior against the women that her husband raped and assaulted
Stand Strong Trump!
And to you all hand wringing wimps:
What did you think was going to happen? Hillary is literally fighting to stay out of prison, because she will be arrested and prosecuted if Trump wins.
Of course she is going to fight dirty, and take it to the gutter.
Trump full steam ahead!
This is a beautiful opportunity to see the mettle of a man against adversity.
Ha! and to think all those looser republican wimps are cowering down and calling him to quit... Hahahahaahhaa
Wimps!.
Come on wimps, announce your resignation from the GOP.. lets clean house.
Roby is my Congresswoman...unfortunately. When she was first running and first elected she was a good conservative, but I think D.C. and power have influenced her. She is now a turncoat and traitor to my state.
We are on to her in my area but sadly not enough people have caught on. I voted against her in the last election for Becky Gerritson who is the head of the Wetumpka Tea Party and who was targeted by the IRS at which time Becky gave a very patriotic response (look it up on youtube). Becky is not as well known in this area as Roby but she is gaining ground. I hope and expect her to challenge Roby again the next election...and hopefully by then enough folks will have caught on to Roby...I pray so!
Do NOT QUIT!!!!
Thune may be the next GOP president if Trump loses this year. Handsome, strong, etc. Thune is one of the stars in the GOP.
True, we either win or lose, there are no more tomorrows.
Never trust Mormons or Never-Trumpers.
I pity the next teen-aged “elders” who dare darken my doorstep.
Thanks for identifying our non-democrat enemies for life, in case any dare seek re-election in the future.
These turncoats are RINOcrats. They have betrayed themselves.
NPR,,
WE ARE SMARTER THAN YOU!
I’m not quitting! Anybody that gives up on Trump over this is very short-sighted.
62 y.o. evangelical professional woman who is all in for Trump! MAGA!!! : )
The only positive thing to come out of a Clinton — God forbid! — victory would be the total destruction of the Republican Party, the Republican elites and the despicable self-described “conservatives” such as Hugh Hewitt who would rather our Constitution be rendered irrelevant than to vote for a man — flawed as he is — who would defend it as president.
Withdrawing would be conceding the election, which is what the delusional 'never trumper's' have always wanted.
They want a nice, safe, losing GOP, which doesn't rock the boat.
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