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 I've never withdrawn in my life."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
2016 US ELECTIONS
27m
Email: Republican National Committee tells at least 1 vendor to halt production of mail projects in Trump ‘Victory’ campaign - Politico
see original on twitter.com
How nice of NPR to provide us with more names to add to the list of back-stabbers never to support in the future.
“...apparently describing himself forcing himself on women”
I recall hearing him talk about women “letting” him touch them. I don’t recall one word about “forcing” himself on women who were not letting him touch them. And that’s if this wasn’t just a bit of masculine bragging in the first place. Billy Bush certainly sounded entertained during the conversation. NRP wants people to think Trump said he raped women or tried to, which is just more media manipulation for their partisan cause.
I remember hearing tales of Kasich’s and Condit’s swingin’ condo, and seeing pics of Condit at a party wearing chaps. I have no doubt Kasich was also in attendance at that famous soiree. PS...Both were married at the time.
My tax $$$ helps pay for NPR’s Maoist propaganda.
And the graft list grows. Trump is going to win and he will clean house.
Thanks for the list of rinos, gopJ!
Ping for a list
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3478085/posts?page=41#41
Vote em out & stop listening to their show
Jason Chaffitz? All respect is now lost.
Chaffetz was the (first or close to it) to come out last nite...within 3 hours of the news...prior to Trump video.
Clearly Jason is looking out for Number 1, and it is not the USA!!
Go Trump!
Standard behavior for members of the GOP who would rather see our Constitution destroyed than to allow a political outsider entry into their protected world.
Well, if Clinton should win, these despicable "Republicans" will be destroyed right along with the Republican Party ... and if that was to happen I would shout "Good Riddance!" while mourning the loss of our Republic.
No more truer words spoken. I will not forget.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska)
Rep. Ann Wagner (Missouri)
Gov. Dennis Daugnard (South Dakota)
Joe Heck (Nev. Senate Candidate)
Former NY Gov George Pataki
All calling for Trump to drop out.
“Jason Chaffitz?”
That kinda surprised me too.
OK - I just heard more goofy analysis on the local radio. I think their strategy is to Bill Cosby the situation.
They are going to get other women to confirm that he hit on them - and insinuate that that it is all a very sleazy situation.
Just be aware that this might be coming and fight it.
Excellent point about illary not being called on to drop out over the ‘buckets of losers’ comment.
“In an email from the RNC to a victory program mail vendor, with the subject line “Hold on all projects,” the committee asked the vendor to “put a hold” on mail production.
“Please put a hold/stop on all mail projects right now. If something is in production or print it needs to stop. Will update you when to proceed,” Lauren Toomey, a staffer in the RNC’s political department, wrote in an email that was obtained by POLITICO.
The email was sent to at least one RNC victory program vendor. Rick Wiley, a top RNC official, was cc’d on the email.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/rnc-halts-all-victory-project-work-for-trump-229363#ixzz4MWQ73Iwa
Follow us: @politico on Twitter | Politico on Facebook
Freep em.
With all you’ve got.
Scorched earth.
Yes, a Governor and a half dozen GOPe Senators stab our candidate in the back and it’s my fault for telling you about it. You’ve got a staggering intellect there, buddy.
Billy Bush is a Bush Family Member. They are in it with the Clinton Cartel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bush
The RINOS in collusion with Hellary and the Kenyan never wanted him in the race. One of them is probably who leaked this few minutes of nothing burger.
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