GOP leaders: National security will end Carson and Trump campaigns

Politico ^ | 11/17/15 05:57 PM EST | By Katie Glueck and Daniel Strauss

[M. Thatcher]

Donald Trump and Ben Carson have demonstrated more staying power than anyone predicted. But now, after the terrorist attacks on an American ally, Republican elders think their party's flirtation with inexperience is nearing its end.

The reemergence of foreign policy atop the Republican agenda will force voters to reevaluate the outsider candidates, particularly as both Trump and Carson display a lack of knowledge about national security and the terrorist threat, party stalwarts said.

"The losers are going to be Donald Trump and Ben Carson on national security," said Katon Dawson, the former chairman of the South Carolina GOP. "As the Republican base sobers up, they are the two, if this story lasts a long time, it's going to hurt."

Indeed, in interviews with current and former GOP chairs, veteran operatives, lobbyists and strategists, the long-held conviction that neither Trump nor Carson will win the Republican nomination has only strengthened since the attacks in Paris last week.

Fred Malek, who has advised multiple Republican presidents and is not affiliated with any contender this cycle, said the inexperience Trump and Carson reveal in their rhetoric will drive GOP primary voters toward another candidate.

[Postman]

Dittos, Dittos and Dittos.

[VideoDoctor]

Politico is now “officially” on the crack pipe.

[PGalt]

OUTSTANDING posts BUMP!

[stocksthatgoup]

The GOPe speaks

[Maceman]

Donald Trump and Ben Carson have demonstrated more staying power than anyone predicted. But now, after the terrorist attacks on an American ally, Republican elders think their party's flirtation with inexperience is nearing its end.

The Republican elders are even more deluded than Obama is.

[redfreedom]

More wishful thinking by the Uniparty Elitists. They’ve been perpetually wrong all the time when it comes to Trump. America does not want professional politicians.

[Interesting Times]

This reminds me of the time in 2004 when the Kerry campaign claimed it hoped there would be more Swift Boat ads, saying they were “working to our advantage.”

[DuncanWaring]

Let me guess ... now, in these times of peril, we must turn to someone tried and true ... like Yeb?

[SamAdams76]

Hello. I heard my name mentioned? Just letting you all know I'm still here! This is Jebbie Bush and I've re-invented myself. You might have heard my new slogan "Jeb Can Fix It."

And whoo-boy, have I got a fix for the current situation over there in Paris. I almost don't want to put my idea out there because surely Trump or Rubio will try to steal it, but here goes...

My idea is simply this. Take all those angry Muslims over there in Europe and bring them over here to the United States. Yes, it's really that simple. Call it an act of love. Pretty brilliant right? Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this solution all on my own. Some of the credit needs to go to Karl Rove who put the idea in my head. The man is a genius!

[SaraJohnson]

These idiots are smoking weed. Carson is doing himself in out of ignorance. Trump has been right ahead of time, every time.

[Gumdrop]

I tend to agree with you. After having such a weak President, the country will be happy to choose a man of words and action; a man who is competent as a leader and who has the best interests of the common man; i.e. average American citizens.

[gogeo]

Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.

[timestax]

[Nifster]

as delusional as the DiC

[moehoward]

I’d trust Trump more than their Rubio.

[timestax]

[A CA Guy]

Hardly, had they listened to Trump none of this would have happened.

[A CA Guy]

I agree, I thought of Obama and Hillary in the Middle East and not winning anymore, then we have Obama saying in response he is not into America winning yesterday.

I agree, Trump is a time that has come for America. Game over.

[Bobalu]

[upchuck]

Yep. It’s all over now. Jeb will be pres w/ Romney as VP.

Trump: finished

Carson: finished

Cruz: finished

I really shouldn’t need this but, /s