“It’s happening,” said conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Sunday of a contested Republican convention. RNC Chair Reince Priebus is promising a transparent, fair process should Trump fail to reach the 1,237, resulting in a contested convention, but other establishment figures are simultaneously outlining a strategy to undermine Trump — and potentially even Ted Cruz — at the convention. And things could get even crazier. As RNC Chair Reince Priebus pointed out this morning in an interview with Hewitt, a vice presidential nomination vote could come to the floor at the convention, too: “I do think it’s curious that…people aren’t talking about the vote for VP. It could be quite amazing if that were to happen…It’s just a free vote.”
Meanwhile, Trump and his allies are promising a combative floor fight and a turbulent aftermath should Trump end up getting slighted. And that’s no idle threat. Remember: 68% of Trump supporters say they’ll ditch the Republican Party if Trump mounts a third-party run.
The Republican National Convention is still over three months away, but the process has already devolved into chaos and sabotage:
The Establishment’s Promising A Fair, Transparent Convention
Conservative Radio Host Hugh Hewitt: A Contested Convention Is “Happening.
The Republican National committee: “The RNC plays a purely administrative role at Convention, ensuring that the rules and processes are carried out in a transparent manner.”
RNC Chair Reince Preibus: “Conventions are democracy in action and our party’s gathering in Cleveland will be an exciting, transparent, and fair process”
Wall Street Journal: Paul Ryan Aims to Be ‘Switzerland’ if GOP Convention Is Contested
…But Simultaneously Working To Dump Trump:
The Washington Times: Karl Rove says ‘fresh face’ needed in GOP presidential race, ousting Donald Trump, Ted Cruz
New York Times: How Trump Could Be Blocked at a Contested Republican Convention
The Washington Post: In chaotic GOP race, an intense battle for delegates plays out under the radar
Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Path to Clinching GOP Nomination Narrows
Meanwhile, Trump Allies Are Ready For A Floor Fight And Guaranteeing Chaos:
Trump Surrogate Ben Carson: The RNC will “[destroy] their party” if they try to ditch Trump at the convention.
And Kasich’s Hoping For A “Fun” And “Cool” Contested Convention, But Cruz And Trump Say He Won’t Even Make The Ballot:
No matter what happens, the GOP loses:
Huffington Post: A Contested Convention Won’t Fix The GOP
Politico: The GOP’s (other) convention nightmare
Suffice to say we probably won’t be seeing this kind of cordiality as the convention wraps up:
Published: Apr 4, 2016