Analysis: Trump proves GOP establishment can't stop him

townhall.com ^

[RoosterRedux]

The current and former chiefs of the state Republican Party condemned him. New Hampshire's only two Republican members of Congress refused to endorse him. The conservative owner of the state's largest newspaper called him "a con man" on the front page.

Donald Trump won anyway -- big time.

So, too, did Bernie Sanders, who will leave New Hampshire with the commanding victory one might expect of a front-runner blessed with the near universal favor of his party. Except all that establishment support belongs to Hillary Clinton.

Trump's 18-point victory and the self-described democratic socialist's 21-point win are reminders of the limits of party power in an age of anger toward Washington and frustration with politics.

Many Republican Party leaders may be terrified by Trump's ascendance, but have yet to divine a way to stop the billionaire real estate mogul. Clinton may have all the endorsements of her party's bold-faced names, but it is Sanders who is winning over the young people and independents who helped push Barack Obama to the White House.

On Tuesday, establishment-minded Republicans from New Hampshire expressed a mix of frustration and shame that it was their state that delivered Trump's first victory. "I refuse to support him under any circumstance," said Fergus Cullen, a former New Hampshire Republican Party chairman. "Trump would be a disaster.

[Dr. Sivana]

And the state newspaper, endorsing Christie, will have to change its name to the Manchester Union-Follower.

[Liz]

Kasich is an odd bird——only his spending/squatting in NH could have gotten him second place. Anyway, better Kasich than Cruz or Bush.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

The RINOs, Bush, Rubio, Kasich and Christie, got 45% of the vote.

So it wouldn't be wise to write off the RINOs.

But this is also liberal NH.

[Grampa Dave]

Kasich is an odd bird——only his spending/squatting in NH could have gotten him second place. Anyway, better Kasich than Cruz or Bush.

K guy was probably a flash in the electoral pan and got his a footnote in some history book and nothing more.

[Ann Archy]

Trump has SINGLE-HANDEDLY SCHLONGED the GOP establishment AND the left wing media!! He stood up to them and took NO CRAP, made no apologies and showed the way to FIGHT for things.

[TomGuy]

Tentative schedule for 2016 is as follows:
Date	State/	Calculated	Type	Cumulative
	territory	delegates		Total
				1237 to Win		Cumulative		Cumulative		Cumulative		Cumulative		Cumulative	State
					Trump	Trump	Cruz	Cruz	Rubio	Rubio	Bush	Bush	Other	Other	Total	TBD
February 1, 2016	Iowa	30	Closed caucus	30	7	7	8	8	7	7	1	1	7	7	30	0
February 9, 2016	New Hampshire	23	Modified primary	53	10	17	2	10		7	2	3	3*	10	17	6
February 20, 2016	South Carolina	50	Open primary	103		17		10		7		3		10	0	50
February 23, 2016	Nevada	30	Closed caucus	133		17		10		7		3		10	0	30

* Kasich 3

2016_republican_primary_results_01.htm

[Grampa Dave]

Amen:!

The attack ads against Trump had no effect.

He did better than the polls predicted.

No, they have an effect, they help him by confirming what everybody knows, the establishment is for the establishment, not the Republic.

I would add. also, not for the average working American!

[euram]

I guess there aren’t many National Review readers in NH. It seems that the NR wasted several barrels of ink, and killed thousands of trees for nothing.

[mund1011]

Trump coming in 1st and 2nd in the first two contests is not insignificant. Every Republican candidate who finished first and second in Iowa and New Hampshire has won the presidential nomination. Having done so, Trump is now in a class with Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, George W. Bush, and Mitt Romney.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

That’s very good news. Rubio seems to be the “establishment’s” last hope holding out.

[TomGuy]

Gramnesty was just on FoxNews and claimed he has never seen anyone destroying the Republican Party by not expanding it like Trump is.

Apparently, Gramnesty didn’t see the headlines that Trump won in EVERY democraphic in NH.

[deport]

Trump and Cruze will have all the delegates.

****************

Not in the first round of voting. At some point that is basically true. The question
may become how the delegates for the other candidates line up in support of Trump/Cruz.

[goldstategop]

Isn’t that same guy who was forced to suspend his campaign after having elicted 0% support?

If only Grahamnesty could do what Trump did!

[Kenton]

Trump seems to have pulled off quite a coup. The left has finally come up against somebody who is immune to Saul Alinsky tactics. The old "identify, isolate, marginalize and destroy" strategy just is not working against Trump.

I think that the "democrats" have finally painted themselves into a corner. Trump has virtually destroyed "identity politics", where everybody votes for the "preferred" candidate based upon stuff like race, sex, and political dogma. Trump has broken the mold in such a way that like Humpty Dumpty, the establishment ain't gonna be able to put it back together.

[SecondAmendment]

> Surely you jest.

No I am not jesting ... and don't call me Shirley !

[V K Lee]

TRiUMPh

will rise to the occasion. He is the one to save our country, God's country. Perhaps he is the chosen one to do so . One thing is known - he seems to be the answer to personal prayer. If incorrect in that statement, He will make it known soon. There is only one Almighty, and He cares, watches over US and us.

[Rad_J]

GOPe says “Trump would be a disaster”

The GOPe has been and still is a disaster for this country. Trump would be a disaster for the GOPe which would be great for America.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

I honestly just don’t see this as a right vs left fight any longer. I realize those who are for Cruz, rest on that argument, he’s the most conservative etc. (I don’t agree but that IS my choice, as you have yours as well).

To me, it’s surpassed that old tired talking point - now it’s US against THEM. You can detest Trump to your heart’s content, but I can’t help but observe that you haven’t swayed anyone to your side. Unless of course they are communicating with you via email.

[Hoodat]

I hear what you are saying. The problem though is that Trump is not anti-establishment. I don't think Trump actually understands the problem we have. He certainly has not addressed it.

Trump has grasped hold of the immigration issue as one that can 'win it' for him. But I do not see him going after the McConnells, McCains, Boehners, etc. on policy issues. Instead, I have seen him propping up McConnell and helping him defeat a TEA Party challenger.

I understand how Trump voices your anger. But he does not share your outrage. Should he become President, you will be very disappointed with his Presidency in light of where he actually stands when the anger is put aside. At least I know where Cruz stands, and I know he is willing to fight for that stand.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

Thank you for the reasoned response. I sincerely respect what you’ve stated and in the end, I understand the concerns you and others have stated. I personally believe that any of them in the running, will disappoint me/us. No single person is going to change this disaster and I am unsure how it even can be changed.

Someone I trust deeply, a very wise and worldly man, expressed to me his thoughts that this nation would not recover from the damage done by obama - not in my lifetime anyway. So from there, and from being surrounded by so many signs of decay and discord, I am listening to Trump and believe he has the will and desire to try and get us out of the rut. It really just comes down to each persons own beliefs which are based on their own experiences, knowledge, perceptions etc.

I am quite sure we are on the same page in that we do not want jeb or heaven forbid, bernie or hillary. I shudder at the thought.