Panicked establishment gets ready for war against Trump

[Algernon Moncrieff]

If you can stand the source, it's an interesting read. LINK to full article.

Over the weekend I talked to a leading conservative who opposes Trump. I asked what would happen if January comes and Trump is still dominating the race. Would he and other conservatives make their peace with Trump's candidacy, or would there be massive resistance?

"Massive resistance," was the answer. "He's not a conservative."

Insiders have watched as Trump defied what many believed were immutable laws of the political universe. First they thought Trump wouldn't run. Then they thought voters wouldn't take a reality-TV star seriously. Then they thought gaffes would kill Trump as they had other candidates. None of that turned out as expected.

But there is one belief Trump has not yet tested, and that is the political insiders' unshakeable faith that negative ads work.

"I don't think Trump can withstand 10,000 points of smart negative in Iowa and New Hampshire," says one veteran Republican strategist who is not affiliated with any campaign. "It would force him to spend money. That's when this starts to get real for him." ("Points" refers to gross ratings points, a way of measuring TV ad buys; 10,000 points would be a really big buy, meaning the average viewer would see an anti-Trump ad many, many times.)

[arcane1]

1. I wonder if negative ads can even be effective, since he gets so much FREE air time.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

2. Agreed, and he thrives on negative publicity

[emulatorloo]

3. Dumping "10,000 points" worth of raw sewage on Trump may well back-fire

People get fed up with negative ads if they are constantly bombarded with them.m

[denbot]

4. Trump would go ballistic.

If they go personal and dent his ego, Trump will go "no holds barred" on the GOP. He's the only one in the media's eye, that would call out Bush on his lead up to Iraq, and if pissed enough go full 9/11 Truther before he's done.

[JCMach1]

5. Not to mention go third party...

[madinmaryland]

6. " call out Bush on his lead up to Iraq, and if pissed enough go full 9/11 Truther before he's done"

I'd love to see that!!!!

[DCBob]

7. The GOP establishment are going to push him out one way or the other.

They cannot stand him.

[xfundy]

8. All his fans would get pissed

at the establishment for opposing their hero. They're stupid, but Trump can sound the dog whistle to get them riled up.

[Renew Deal]

9. Trumps best bet is a divided Republican Party

He can keep it up as long as there are 15+ candidates