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 I've never withdrawn in my life."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
I guess what i’m asking you is that Hillary is an actual criminal with no care for our nations top secrets. That is no longer refutable. How can you say that a Pence win is a Hilary win? Pence making SCOTUS nominations alone is a win for the nation. If you can explain what you mean, I’d appreciate. God bless and have a great day
Any man who dares to criticize another man’s locker room banter is a pussy who no longer deserves the privilege of having it shared with him.
Enough of this Republican shaming efforts ask a single republican against Trump to name one Democrat politician that has come out against Hillary’s lies, deceit and corruption?
Never liked Pence, seems like he’s slowly showing me why....
Rumors that Pence is going to drop out.
Liberals and hypocrisy, synonymous.
I agree, but the list will likely grow. I’m still voting for Trump.
They’re getting desperate, what do they know we don’t? Are the polls lying?
Folks, I think it is time we let these “representatives” of We the People as well as our own “representatives” (and I use the term loosely) know that we are still supporting our nominee, Donald Trump. That we absolutely do not want Hillary to win, and have her get a choice of 3-4 Supremes, open borders, etc.
Anyone know if these weasels check their voice and emails over the weekend—maybe they check their Tweets...
They need to hear from us!
“...”I’d never withdraw. I’ve never withdrawn in my life.” ...”
And THAT, my friends, is the difference between Trump and every other GOP RINO weasel.
“That’s all you need to know that the establishment is behind this.”
It appears that the GOPe and along with the media and dimoKKKRATS are going all out to stop Trump. Trump must be doing quite well in the polls. The Fox poll out today has him behind only by 2 points which is the lowest I have seen in that poll. GO TRUMP GO
Their hysterical outrage is fake, just another attempt to help Hillary. Who but a lefty Hillary supporter would say they'll dump Trump and vote for her over some words said 11 years ago?
It's the anti-Trump/anti-America/pro-open borders crowd's frantic effort to get Hillary elected. At least we know who the enemy is.
‘It’s time for Trump to go nuclear on the Clintons and not hold back tomorrow night.’
Right.
It’s not very likely that the GOPe would find someone willing to tangle with Hillary the way Trump has already.
“You really think the voters would pick Hillary over Pence? I cannot believe that. I just can’t.”
IMHO that is not the point. Who is the real Pence? Is he also a globalist? Will he side with the Paul Ryan types? These are the questions. We know that Trump is anti-establishment and that is why the total war is being fought against him.
Absolutely they need to hear from us.
Their hysterical outrage is fake, just another attempt to help Hillary. Who but a lefty Hillary supporter would say they’ll dump Trump and vote for her over some words said 11 years ago?
It’s the anti-Trump/anti-America/pro-open borders crowd’s frantic effort to get Hillary elected. At least we know who the enemy is.
I think I will tune up the Twitter account and Tweet some of theses pols today.
Heard there are Trump supporters at Wash U in St. Louis... Good for them!
Gonna Tweet Fox news too!!
Anyone know some good hashtags?
He doesn’t have to be over the top with his statements regarding Bill the Predator and Hillary the Enabler. He can say, with truth to it, that he’s a different man than the one on that tape eleven years ago. On the flip side Trump can say Hillary was and still is an enabler to Bill’s transgressions. He can also link that to Hillary’s uncaring character when it comes to Benghazi and the Clinton Foundation in Haiti. Plenty of material where he can tie Hillary’s callousness from threatening Bill’s assault victims to lying to Pat Smith’s face about the death of her son in Benghazi. He can point out his actions affected himself and his family but Hillary’s actions affected the entire country.
Coming out just like the cockroaches they are.
Screw the GOP. They are dead to me.
Desperate yes. Loss of influence = $$, and possible prosecution. And yes, the polls are lying that has been documented countless times over the months.
I call for the Republican Party to drop out of existence, DJT will do just fine if the GOP quits!!
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