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Inside the GOP effort to draft an independent candidate to derail Trump
washingtonpost.com ^ | 5/14/2016 | Philip Rucker and Robert Costa

Posted on 05/14/2016 7:23:46 PM PDT by rktman

A band of exasperated Republicans — including 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, a handful of veteran consultants and members of the conservative intelligentsia — is actively plotting to draft an independent presidential candidate who could keep Donald Trump from the White House.

These GOP figures are commissioning private polling, lining up major funding sources­ and courting potential contenders, according to interviews with more than a dozen Republicans involved in the discussions. The effort has been sporadic all spring but has intensified significantly in the 10 days since Trump effectively locked up the Republican nomination.

Those involved concede that an independent campaign at this late stage is probably futile, and they think they have only a couple of weeks to launch a credible bid. But these Republicans — including commentators William Kristol and Erick Erickson and strategists Mike Murphy, Stuart Stevens and Rick Wilson — are so repulsed by the prospect of Trump as commander in chief that they are desperate to take action.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: 2016election; alreadyposted; conventionbs; demagogicparty; districtofcolumbia; election2016; gope; kristol; memebuilding; newyork; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; philiprucker; robertcosta; romney; thirdparty; trump; washingtoncompost; washingtonpost
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Red herring? Almost had me until the screwed up and used "intelligentsia" in relation to the gopE biggies. Not compatible except in lib speak.
1 posted on 05/14/2016 7:23:47 PM PDT by rktman
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To: rktman

2 posted on 05/14/2016 7:25:30 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (BREAKING.... Vulgarian Resistance begins attack on the GOPe Death Star.....)
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To: rktman

Contrived article and premise


3 posted on 05/14/2016 7:25:50 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway - "Enjoy Yourself" ala Louis Prima)
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To: rktman

Its going to go nowhere.

Building a party infrastructure, finding a suitable candidate and raising lots of money in the short time available is simply not realistic.

#NeverTrumpers want to do something that has no chance of success.


4 posted on 05/14/2016 7:26:58 PM PDT by goldstategop ((In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever))
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To: rktman

William Kristol and Erick Erickson and strategists Mike Murphy, Stuart Stevens and Rick Wilson — are so repulsed by the prospect of Trump as commander in chief that they are desperate to take action.

Group suicide would be nice. Please consider that.


5 posted on 05/14/2016 7:29:28 PM PDT by euram
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To: rktman

Respect the enemy.


6 posted on 05/14/2016 7:30:04 PM PDT by glock rocks (Please support Free Republic)
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To: goldstategop

who could keep Donald Trump from the White House.

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

This is their only goal.
They do not expect or even want to win.
They just want to make sure Trump does not.
The Cheap Labor Express MUST prevent the citizens from electing a President who enforces the laws and borders to survive.
They will do whatever it takes.


7 posted on 05/14/2016 7:30:11 PM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: rktman

I suspect that they will wind up endorsing the Libertarian candidate. I really do not see them returning to the GOP this year.


8 posted on 05/14/2016 7:31:41 PM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
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To: euram

Its cheaper, too.

Funny how they could live with Obama but they’re repulsed by Trump.

And let’s not forget Mike Murphy who spent $120 million trying to get Jeb nominated but failed.

Guys like this sure know how to win an election!


9 posted on 05/14/2016 7:32:14 PM PDT by goldstategop ((In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever))
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To: rktman

From the Washington Post......

Oh yeah...That’s an extremely trustworthy news source...ROFL


10 posted on 05/14/2016 7:33:04 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: rktman

Independent candidate derails America, not Trump.

The accursed GOP will never be forgiven for that sh!t either.


11 posted on 05/14/2016 7:33:25 PM PDT by chris37 (heartless)
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To: rktman

12 posted on 05/14/2016 7:33:34 PM PDT by profit_guy
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To: rktman

13 posted on 05/14/2016 7:35:16 PM PDT by profit_guy
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To: rktman

We need to use Levin’s tactics that he used against true Conservatives like Schlafly ...it’s blacklist time ... these traitors need to be run out of the Repub party and into the arms of their true masters - the DIMs


14 posted on 05/14/2016 7:36:01 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (It's now or never , Trump now more than ever ...)
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To: Lurkinanloomin

If Hillary gets elected, their goal is accomplished.

All they have to do is play a spoiler role - and having the party taken away from is a red line.

Like you said, whatever it takes and I would put nothing past them.


15 posted on 05/14/2016 7:37:41 PM PDT by goldstategop ((In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever))
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To: rktman
William Kristol and Erick Erickson

Stop right there — two of the biggest losers in the business.

They both lost sight of reality months ago, saying over and over again that Trump had no chance.

16 posted on 05/14/2016 7:38:02 PM PDT by detch (")
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To: rktman

A bunch of old biddy democrat infiltrator fag-hags desperate to cling to power.


17 posted on 05/14/2016 7:39:04 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: rktman

I wish we would stop hearing about GOP conservatives when the press means the Republican Establishment.


18 posted on 05/14/2016 7:39:26 PM PDT by Lion Den Dan
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To: chris37; Jim Robinson

I, foolishly, supported Mia Love. Turned out to be just another GOPe stooge. Yes, I’m pissed.

Take these tools down.

Vote Trump


19 posted on 05/14/2016 7:39:54 PM PDT by glock rocks (Please support Free Republic)
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To: rktman

Fornicate ‘em


20 posted on 05/14/2016 7:40:39 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Keep out of our bathrooms)
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