Graham calls for a GOP excommunication for Trump:
"Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said Saturday that fellow presidential candidate Donald Trump's derogatory commentary has begun inflicting permanent and possibly fatal damage to the Republican Party brand and urged GOP leaders to stop "tiptoeing" around the billionaire businessman and to confront him directly and unequivocally."
"In an interview with The Washington Post, Graham said Trump's personal attacks on Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly after she questioned him in Thursday night's primary debate were "an affront to all women" and undermine the Republican Party's urgent mission to appeal to more women voters."
“I think we’ve crossed that Rubicon, where his behavior becomes about us, not just him," Graham said. "I hope the party leadership will push hard. I hope that those seeking the nomination to be the standard bearer will unequivocally reject this. People gave Mr. Trump a pass on the [debate] stage. I understand that to a point, but we’ve crossed a line here that can’t be ignored. There can be no more tiptoeing around this.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/08/graham-says-trump-is-inflicting-permanent-damage-on-gop-urges-party-leaders-to-stop-tip-toeing/
Ted Cruz though says it would be foolish for Republicans to go after Trump:
"Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday warned that the Republican presidential candidates who are slamming Donald Trump do so at their political peril."
"Cruz’s remarks, which came during an interview with POLITICO as he swings through the South on a bus tour, are among the most detailed comments to date regarding his reluctance to criticize the real estate mogul, who is currently leading the polls in the GOP primary."
“I would … note that an awful lot of Republicans, including other Republican candidates, have gone out of their way to smack Donald Trump with a stick. Now I think that’s just foolish,” he said.
"Asked why, Cruz paused and then replied, “Donald Trump had a rally in Phoenix, Ariz. [to which] between 10 and 20 thousand people came out. When you attack and vilify the people at that rally as crazies, it does nothing to help Republicans win in 2016. I’d like every single person at that rally to show up and vote in 2016, knock on doors with energy and passion, and turn this country around. If Washington politicians show contempt and condescension to those [voters,] that is a path to losing at the ballot box.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/ted-cruz-foolish-for-gop-to-criticize-trump-121241.html#ixzz3iW1sEY26
"Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said Saturday that fellow presidential candidate Donald Trump's derogatory commentary has begun inflicting permanent and possibly fatal damage to the Republican Party brand and urged GOP leaders to stop "tiptoeing" around the billionaire businessman and to confront him directly and unequivocally."
"In an interview with The Washington Post, Graham said Trump's personal attacks on Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly after she questioned him in Thursday night's primary debate were "an affront to all women" and undermine the Republican Party's urgent mission to appeal to more women voters."
“I think we’ve crossed that Rubicon, where his behavior becomes about us, not just him," Graham said. "I hope the party leadership will push hard. I hope that those seeking the nomination to be the standard bearer will unequivocally reject this. People gave Mr. Trump a pass on the [debate] stage. I understand that to a point, but we’ve crossed a line here that can’t be ignored. There can be no more tiptoeing around this.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/08/graham-says-trump-is-inflicting-permanent-damage-on-gop-urges-party-leaders-to-stop-tip-toeing/
Ted Cruz though says it would be foolish for Republicans to go after Trump:
"Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday warned that the Republican presidential candidates who are slamming Donald Trump do so at their political peril."
"Cruz’s remarks, which came during an interview with POLITICO as he swings through the South on a bus tour, are among the most detailed comments to date regarding his reluctance to criticize the real estate mogul, who is currently leading the polls in the GOP primary."
“I would … note that an awful lot of Republicans, including other Republican candidates, have gone out of their way to smack Donald Trump with a stick. Now I think that’s just foolish,” he said.
"Asked why, Cruz paused and then replied, “Donald Trump had a rally in Phoenix, Ariz. [to which] between 10 and 20 thousand people came out. When you attack and vilify the people at that rally as crazies, it does nothing to help Republicans win in 2016. I’d like every single person at that rally to show up and vote in 2016, knock on doors with energy and passion, and turn this country around. If Washington politicians show contempt and condescension to those [voters,] that is a path to losing at the ballot box.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/ted-cruz-foolish-for-gop-to-criticize-trump-121241.html#ixzz3iW1sEY26
One way to look at this is that this is a battle between teh establishment-and it doesn't get more estalishment in the GOP than Lindsay Graham-and the Tea Party base-who love themselves some Ted Cruz.
I noted yesterday that Rush had some parodies of John McCain and Lindsay Graham-both of who have been the victim of Trump.
http://lastmenandovermen.blogspot.com/2015/08/rush-limbaugh-on-know-nothing-movement.html
So it's not hard to guess who wins if it's a choice between Graham and Cruz.
I like those odds. Meanwhile, Rand Paul another candidate who would like to win the anti-establishment vote-has taken the other road and criticized Trump relentlessly since last week.
http://lastmenandovermen.blogspot.com/2015/08/rand-paul-trumps-fake-conservative.html
However, this hasn't provided Rand any spart-whereas Cruz has jumped in the immediate after debate polls.
He's not particularly confident either as he's lobbying Kentucky lawmakers to change the law so he can run for President and keep his Senate seat. Hmm. If he loses this does he go the way that Rick Perry seems to be going? Maybe he ought to run along and keep that Senate seat.
"Sen. Rand Paul’s presidential campaign limped into August under the weight of poor fundraising and sapped staff morale.
"Then the indictments last week of two longtime Paul advisers sent shockwaves through the Kentucky Republican’s orbit.
"And, last Thursday, Paul was widely seen as falling short in the first GOP presidential debate before a huge television audience."
Now the bad news: Paul’s woeful month could get even worse.
"Paul has been furiously lobbying Kentucky Republican leaders ahead of an Aug. 22 decision to rewrite party rules so he can run for president and reelection to his Senate seat simultaneously, a hedge to hold onto power should his Oval Office aspirations falter. Running for the two offices at once creates tricky legal hurdles that are only surmountable with the assent of the Kentucky Republican Party’s leadership and central committee."
"Though that approval once seemed assured, several members of the party executive committee told POLITICO they’re seeing increasing trepidation, in part because of Paul’s perceived fade from contention but also because he hasn’t yet fulfilled promises to cover the cost of any changes."
“I think it’s fair to say that among members of this committee that they’re always aware of the financial impact of anything new on the organization that they serve,” said state GOP chairman Steve Robertson. “I think it’s pretty fair to say that members of the committee think this thing could be anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000. That’s obviously something that weighs appropriately on the minds of the folks on the committee.”
"Others were blunter."
“There should be no direct cost to the party,” said Scott Lasley, a state executive committee member who chaired the party committee that drafted the plan Paul favors. “If the money is not there … then I think all bets are off.”
"Without the money, another executive committee member said, Paul’s plan should be “DOA.” Yet another worried that Paul’s efforts to salvage a long-shot presidential bid could cost Republicans a must-win Senate seat "
“I do not want to lose a Senate seat,” the committee member said. “I am concerned that he promised that if he realized he wasn’t going to win [the presidential nomination], he’d get out. But when is that going to be?”
"Then the indictments last week of two longtime Paul advisers sent shockwaves through the Kentucky Republican’s orbit.
"And, last Thursday, Paul was widely seen as falling short in the first GOP presidential debate before a huge television audience."
Now the bad news: Paul’s woeful month could get even worse.
"Paul has been furiously lobbying Kentucky Republican leaders ahead of an Aug. 22 decision to rewrite party rules so he can run for president and reelection to his Senate seat simultaneously, a hedge to hold onto power should his Oval Office aspirations falter. Running for the two offices at once creates tricky legal hurdles that are only surmountable with the assent of the Kentucky Republican Party’s leadership and central committee."
"Though that approval once seemed assured, several members of the party executive committee told POLITICO they’re seeing increasing trepidation, in part because of Paul’s perceived fade from contention but also because he hasn’t yet fulfilled promises to cover the cost of any changes."
“I think it’s fair to say that among members of this committee that they’re always aware of the financial impact of anything new on the organization that they serve,” said state GOP chairman Steve Robertson. “I think it’s pretty fair to say that members of the committee think this thing could be anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000. That’s obviously something that weighs appropriately on the minds of the folks on the committee.”
"Others were blunter."
“There should be no direct cost to the party,” said Scott Lasley, a state executive committee member who chaired the party committee that drafted the plan Paul favors. “If the money is not there … then I think all bets are off.”
"Without the money, another executive committee member said, Paul’s plan should be “DOA.” Yet another worried that Paul’s efforts to salvage a long-shot presidential bid could cost Republicans a must-win Senate seat "
“I do not want to lose a Senate seat,” the committee member said. “I am concerned that he promised that if he realized he wasn’t going to win [the presidential nomination], he’d get out. But when is that going to be?”
It makes me think of what Howie Carr said about the debate:
"Christie and Rand Paul went at it, two losers with a combined 4 percent in the polls at each other’s throats. Like what is said about academic battles — the tinier the pond, the more vicious the fish."
"Only a few dared launch haymakers at Trump. Rand Paul, for one — he was shocked, shocked that the Donald wouldn’t promise not to run third-party next year. Does anyone recall what ticket Rand’s dad ran for president on back in 1988? (Hint: It wasn’t the Republican party.)"
"Christie and Rand Paul went at it, two losers with a combined 4 percent in the polls at each other’s throats. Like what is said about academic battles — the tinier the pond, the more vicious the fish."
"Only a few dared launch haymakers at Trump. Rand Paul, for one — he was shocked, shocked that the Donald wouldn’t promise not to run third-party next year. Does anyone recall what ticket Rand’s dad ran for president on back in 1988? (Hint: It wasn’t the Republican party.)"
http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/howie_carr/2015/08/carr_trump_fends_off_pretenders_in_round_one#sthash.PyljTNIO.dpuf
Perfect. Howie also shows that the base doesn't care about the all the to-do over a third party. Literally, I don't see how I could have planned things to go any more perfectly than they have up to this point.
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