I think the GOP has three options.

[Chichiri]

First, they can give Trump the absolute minimum level of support they can get away with, while spreading rumors that most Republicans will be voting for the Libertarian candidate. Trump loses, Clinton wins, paints entire GOP with the same brush, and many Republicans lose.

Second, they can embrace the insanity and nastiness that is Trump, and go all the way with it. Clinton wins, paints entire GOP with the same brush, and this time most Republicans lose.

Third, they can find a way to disqualify Trump on technical grounds before the convention, or arrange his defeat in a brokered convention. The uproar would be insane, and the GOP would lose huge in the short term, but they would have four years to explain that it was the best thing for the party and the conservative movement, and most conservatives would be back in the fold by 2020.

Which do you think it will be?

[0rganism]

1. lol i love the bind they're in

Last edited Thu Mar 3, 2016, 03:46 PM - Edit history (1)

for all the problems in the Democratic party right now, the Republicans have it far far worse; it doesn't matter what they do at this point, their brand is so damaged by Trump and his ardent followers that they can only lose in 2016. their 3rd alternative, profoundly undemocratic, is going to be their best option, but i don't know if they have the cojones to pull it off.

[Chichiri]

4. Trump has Secret Service protection, so you may want to edit that. nt

[0rganism]

6. mmm, fair point, the damage is probably already done tho

i'll make sure i have a 6-pack of brews in the fridge for the SS when they come by to "interview" me.

[exboyfil]

2. I would go with option 3

Not technical but get it to a brokered convention. Historically the plurality candidate does not necessarily walk away with the nomination in that case. That is what the convention used to be - deal making and compromise until a Presidential candidate emerges.

Let Trump try to get the apparatus up for a 3rd Party bid in the time remaining. It will not be easy to get on all the ballots.

[Hortensis]

3. No answer here, but it occurs to me Trump would only need

to be on the ballot to win the presidency. He is, however, famous for his vindictiveness, and probably nothing would be easier for him than to run a third-party spoiler candidacy at no cost to him and instruct his followers to write him in.

[mr_liberal]

5. 4. Will Trump drop out?

Very unlikely, but I think its possible. If this was just a publicity stunt for him at first and he really doesn't want to be president, this backlash would give him the perfect excuse.

[auntpurl]

8. My English husband, who doesn't follow politics closely, thinks this is what will happen

He says there is no way Trump wants to be president. He just wants to prove he COULD be president. Just a massive ego stroking.

[former9thward]

7. None of the above.

Trump will wrap it up, probably on March 15, and have enough delegates for the nomination. Some Republicans will not endorse but some Sanders' supporters will sit it out also so it is a wash. It is far too late for a third party.

[CTyankee]

9. My guess is the third option. Trump will not go easy into that goodnight...

this thing is heading toward disaster and the repubs don't have any ideas and all they want to to take things away from people.

[hfojvt]

10. at this point Trump has simply NOT won the nomination

Even Hillary will not lock it up for two more weeks.

I have always thought Hillary will win the Presidency if she runs, but I am not sure she brings Congress with her.

[TeamPooka]

11. If Trump is the nominee Republicans will embrace him as the 2nd coming of Reagan by Oct. nt