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News Monday, Apr 4 2016

Three Months Away, The RNC's Already Off The Rails

Apr 04, 2016

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:

Politico: Delegates ready to flee Trump at contested convention

The Washington Times: Karl Rove says ‘fresh face’ needed in GOP presidential race, ousting Donald Trump, Ted Cruz

Politico: GOP panelists eager to scrap rule that helps Trump

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

The Blaze: ‘They Are in a Panic’: Breaking Down a Brokered Convention and What It Means for Establishment Republicans

Fox News: RNC’s Priebus tries to quell, clarify convention, pledge controversies

Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Path to Clinching GOP Nomination Narrows

Boston Globe: Rubio looks to retain delegates in event of contested convention

 
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.

CNN: Donald Trump on brokered convention: ‘I think you’d have riots’

BuzzFeed News: Trump Ally Roger Stone Says He’s Planning “Days Of Rage” At The Convention

CNN: Could Republican Convention delegates be bought? Legally, maybe

Washington Post: Internal memo reveals Trump campaign’s mounting fury with its critics

 
And Kasich’s Hoping For A “Fun” And “Cool” Contested Convention, But Cruz And Trump Say He Won’t Even Make The Ballot:

The Hill: Kasich predicts open convention: ‘It’s going to be so much fun’

Politico: Kasich says an open convention would be ‘so cool’

NBC News: Trump, Cruz Work to Block Kasich From Ballot at Open Convention

Politico: Cruz says Kasich wouldn’t make ballot at contested convention

 
No matter what happens, the GOP loses:

Politico: Poll: Majority of Republicans want the party to unite behind Trump

Huffington Post: A Contested Convention Won’t Fix The GOP

Fortune: Most Republican Voters Disagree With the Plan to Stop Trump

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:
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Published: Apr 4, 2016

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