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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 I've never withdrawn in my life."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
Looks like more bad news coming down the pike on Hellary.
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“Bill Mitchell Verified account
@mitchellvii
WIKILEAKS BOMBSHELL: Racist Hillary Trashes African Americans - Calls Them Losers”
https://twitter.com/mitchellvii/status/784835945975652352
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Trump fighting a multi-front war against the Establishment.
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PING!!!
List of RINO’s at #41
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3478085/posts?page=41#41
Thanks GOPJ H/T WildHighlander57
This was a coordinated hit by the GOPe, not the Clinton campaign. It’s revenge for him calling Jeb Bush a faggot until he cried right on live TV.
Anyone who believe that Jeb Bush’s cousin had this tape for 11 years, but no one in the family knew about it until yesterday, is a half-witted chromosomal aberration. Of course they knew about it. The original plan was to use this to knock out Trump when he was the last man standing against ¡Jeb!, but it became obvious within about six hours of the primaries actually getting underway that no one was going to vote for George’s uglier, dorkier, and more useless brother. They’ve been holding onto it since and released it now since it was looking like Trump was very close to becoming president.
“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.”
Exactly.
Deploying BJ’s and Hellary’s rape victims would be better.
Someone please make a thread of its own.
Ahhhnold has no moral authority to condemn words by Trump. His actions, fathering a child with his housekeeper, speak volumes more than Trump’s words ever have.
It has created Weimar-like conditions.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3478085/posts?page=230#230
Jennychase,
Tell Mr. Trump that we are with him!!
Yes, that would be the same 'Ah-nold... I suspect he treated 'Ms Kennedy' with all the respect of a liberal elite Queen of England type... while loving being in bed with the house maid... Hey Brit Hume - do a story on guys like Ah-nold...
YES! they’d rather have Hillary because she is predictable.
@RealDonaldTrump:
The media and establishment want me out of the race so badly - I WILL NEVER DROP OUT OF THE RACE, WILL NEVER LET MY SUPPORTERS DOWN! #MAGA
These scum were never for Trump . He might make them work against a democrat.
Thanks WildHighlander...
On Drudge
KATHLEEN WILLEY CALLS FOR HILLARY TO RESIGN FROM CAMPAIGN...
JUANITA BROADDRICK: She lives with and protects a rapist....
this from today? I was just talking to someone who brought him up. he was accused of groping women when he first ran in Cali. He said yes he did. Pfft. oh he has never been a republican. you cannot be and marry a kennedy.
BS to NPR...BS to these pub asses....
“If they succeed in stealing it from Mr. Trump, it won’t be time for a new party. It will be time for a new COUNTRY.”
I’d prefer a restoration of “The Old Country,” as established by the Founders.
>>>>Let’s send a message to the Globalist RINOs and the rest of the commies:
Let’s BOMBARD THE DONATE button on Mr. Trump’s website and send an AVALANCHE of support!!!!!!!
>>Already did. Donated on his website, sent message of support via Twitter.
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Yea, Duchess47!
What a great idea to post a supportive message on Twitter ~ it’s like icing on the cake!
I hope it catches on like wildfire!
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