State GOP Leaders Plot to Tie Donald Trump’s Hands
By Alex Isenstadt. Amid mounting concerns about Donald Trump’s candidacy from the GOP establishment, Republican leaders in at least two states have found a way to make life a lot harder for him.
The Virginia and North Carolina parties are in discussions about implementing a new requirement for candidates to qualify for their primary ballots: that they pledge to support the Republican presidential nominee — and not run as a third-party candidate — in the general election.
The procedural moves are clearly aimed at Trump, who pointedly refused to rule out a third-party run during the first GOP debate.
They come amid Republican fears that the real estate mogul is gaining strength in the primary contest, and that his jeremiads against undocumented immigrants will alienate Hispanic voters. Despite coming under a hail of criticism in recent weeks, Trump has held steady atop state and national polls.
John Whitbeck, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, said the proposal was among many that the organization was considering as it sketches out its ballot access requirements for the 2016 GOP primary. The ultimate decision, he said, would be made by the 84 members who make up the state party’s central committee, which is slated to meet on Sept. 19. The requirements must be submitted to the Republican National Committee by Oct. 1. (Read more from “State GOP Leaders Plot to Tie Donald Trump’s Hands” HERE)
________________________________________________
Poll: Majority of Republican Voters Think Trump Will Receive Presidential Nomination
By Amanda Andrade-Rhoades. There was once a point where the idea of Donald Trump being a serious presidential candidate was considered laughable, but that time has apparently passed.
According to Rasmussen Reports, a public polling company, 57 percent of people who will probably vote Republican in 2016 now think Trump is likely to be the Republican presidential nominee next year — another 25 percent of respondents said it’s very likely. Just two months ago, when Trump announced his candidacy, 27 percent of people said they thought a nomination would be likely and 9 percent said it would be very likely.
Despite the growing possibility of Trump receiving the Republican nomination, the prospect does not come without significant contention from within the GOP. Trump was famously, or infamously, uninvited from a major Republican event put on by RedState after he made comments about the blood flow of debate moderator Megyn Kelly, who openly questioned his behavior and attitude towards women.
His comments on immigration have also divided Republicans. Though many candidates have toughened their stance on the issue or outright advocated for changing the 14th Amendment, which deals with birthright citizenship, some believe Trump’s hard-line approach may alienate voters — possibly costing Republicans the election. (Read more from this story HERE)
Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.
