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.”
except there are 4 polls that have him in the lead.. including the 2 most accurate polls in 2012 and the most accurate one in 2014..
“The Nevertrumpers are going to be so disappointed around 9-10pm the evening of November 8th. “
You seem to be one of them.
I don’t get why people are a allowed to post Washington Post propaganda here.
People like you drive traffic to their website and help fund their efforts. You are either a Hillary supporter or a misguided fool.
Steve Schmidt
********************
Cheap Labor Express operative who wears an R jersey for camoflage
Who the hell wrote this pap? Robby Mook?
Take a minute and ask yourself “Why are they saying this?”
There is a reason. If they’re really wishing Trump could win and put their party in the White House, isn’t this defeatism? Kinda like badmouthing your team in the 3rd quarter?
On the other hand, what if they really hope Trump loses, and by talking this way hope to discourage people to stay home and not vote.
Ask yourself - what would be in my head if these words were coming out of my mouth?
Even by their polls Trump is running from break-even to -6. This is not Goldwater even by their reported measurements and Trump is competitive in all the battleground states. We will see what happens.
Is this the Soviet Union or what? This type of blatant propaganda reminds me of the old USSR days.
Trump will win.
I won’t be voting for down the ballot GOP candidates.
I won’t vote for a party that appears to be resigned to a Hillary win.
GOP can go to hell.
I love the panic of our overlords.
I almost read it; until I saw it was the Washington Compost.
As we said in Junior High, The GOPe blows dead rats.
He said he would wait and see. Totally logical. Totally correct. What was he supposed to do CONCEDE the election YESTERDAY?! What a basket of Panty Wearers.
If they lose Congress, I consider it karma.
Payback is a b*tch.
Since they govern like Democrats, we might as well elect the real Coke and clean house while we’re at it.
The GOPe will no more impeach “The first woman President” than they did the first black one.
She won’t leave the White House until the venom in her veins stops flowing.
Who is that guy?
In order to do what you suggest, we had better make sure that there is still a Republican majority - Trey Gowdy comes to mind - or Hillary will never be thwarted.
Steve Schmidt is a liberal jackass..I wouldn’t pee on that man if he were on fire I despise him that much. I remember the horrible, disgusting things he said about the Palin family..I never forgot..its idiots like Schmidt that keep the Republican party the way they are, just like the DNC except maybe better dressed
“GOP Braces for Trump Loss....”
GOP braces for Trump win is more likely.
Not sure...but I’m pretty sure it was when Trump said (paraphrasing here) “Hillary is so corrupt that she got kicked off the Watergate commission”.
A “strategist” huh?
A wonder where they teach punks like this the art of “how to defeat your enemy - by helping them win.”
What a bunch of maroons...
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