Posted on 10/20/2016 8:51:19 PM PDT by upchuck
A wave of apprehension and anguish swept the Republican Party on Thursday, with many GOP leaders alarmed by Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the outcome of the election and concluding that it is probably too late to salvage his flailing presidential campaign.
As the Republican nominee reeled from a turbulent performance in the final debate here in Las Vegas, his party’s embattled senators and House members scrambled to protect their seats and preserve the GOP’s congressional majorities against what Republicans privately acknowledge could be a landslide victory for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
With 19 days until the election, the Republican Party is in a state of historic turmoil, encapsulated by Trump’s extraordinary debate declaration that he would leave the nation in “suspense” about whether he would recognize the results from an election he has claimed will be “rigged” or even “stolen.”
The immediate responses from GOP officials were divergent and vague, with no clear strategy on how to handle Trump’s threat. The candidate was defiant and would not back away from his position, telling a roaring crowd Thursday in Ohio that he would accept the results “if I win” — and reserving his right to legally challenge the results should he fall short.
For seasoned Republicans who have watched Trump warily as a general-election candidate, the aftermath of Wednesday’s debate brought a feeling of finality.
“The campaign is over,” said Steve Schmidt, a Trump critic and former senior strategist on George W. Bush’s and John McCain’s presidential campaigns.
Calling a refusal to accept the election results “disqualifying,” Schmidt added: “The question is, how close will Clinton get to 400 electoral votes? She’ll be north of 350, and she’s trending towards 400 — and the trend line is taking place in very red states like Georgia, Texas and Arizona.”
Does a prohibition against the Republicans give the Democrats carte blanche to commit fraud?
On the face of it, no. But the Republicans are known wishes. From their POV, "Why should I take a chance on upsetting my comfortable apple cart?" And that's wrong. If there is a whiff of fraud, it should be vigorously pursued. Not pursuing fraud just gives the Democrats more ammunition for future battles.
My husband says that if people like Paul Ryan and the rest of them had strongly endorsed Trump he’d be way ahead in the polls and headed for a strong win. My husband kind of despises both parties and has done so for at least 25 years although he’s supporting Trump. Is his criticism valid?
I loathe Steve Schmidt. A total loser, blowhard who is never right.
...so allowing Dems to be elected is better? We are left with Hobson’s choice and we will leave Mr. Trump with a tough battle to fight with the legislative numbnuts and I feel bad about that.
The Republicans created this mess, but the Democrats are worse.
Not a darn thing, but we risk throwing out the baby with the bathwater. He will not be king, he cannot executive order everything and at least he may be able to bring his party alongside once he is there. He will have us. Writing to a Democrat congressman is pointless, but a Republican might listen.
BIG NEWS:
The same #NeverTrumpers are still nevertrumpers and the first republican mentioned, Steve Schmidt, is a commentator on msnbc. Nuff said.
Individual Republican state AGs in the states where conspiracies were hatched and violence was incited can bring their own felony prosecutions. Then they can squeeze the criminals to give up info on higher ups in the illegal network/enterprise.
Correct, and I'm not going to.
If the senate flips Democrat, then the senate flips Democrat.
I don't have anything against Gaetz, at least not yet. I didn't have a favorite in the field of 7 that ran, so I am probably not going to have a problem casting a vote for him, so at least we can agree here.
Trump is going to have a tough battle regardless.
I don’t owe the GOP anything, and they are not going to get my vote simply because they are not someone else.
They going to have to do a lot better than that, and in reality, it’s too late for them.
I’m not voting for the GOP anymore.
I don’t care what happens to them, they serve no purpose other than to disgust me.
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Haha! Well, that was concise and to the point!
"...they serve no purpose other than to disgust me."
I'm going to steal that...
http://www.wnd.com/2016/10/an-establishment-in-panic-2/
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-20/ruling-elite-has-lost-consent-governed
LOL! <3 :D
If those girlie-men in Gutless Other Party are worried they ought to be a man is coming and their cozy little party is in for a huge upset.
Wrong answer FReeper. The only people we screw if we allow dims to take over congress, is us. Believe me I know your anger, I have it too. Betrayal after betrayal. I am stuck with McCain this cycle. I will be voting for him because he is with conservatives 45 to 50% of the time. The stupid dim will never be with us. Your vote is your business but please consider.
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