Wednesday, December 9, 2015

First Read: Why the GOP Will Fight Trump Until the Bitter End

 
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.
 
Why the GOP will likely fight Trump until the bitter end

After the latest Donald Trump controversy (his proposal to bar Muslims from the U.S.) and after the latest new poll (Trump leading New Hampshire by a whopping 18 points), Republicans face this choice 50-plus days until Iowa: Do they fight Trump? Or do they surrender? According to the Republicans who are in charge of retaining control of the House and Senate, they are looking to fight. (Cleveland, here we come?) The only question is -- how? Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told Politico that Trump and his rhetoric could cost the GOP, big time. "It puts, certainly, competitive seats in jeopardy. We'll have a much more difficult time." Walden's deputy, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), was more pointed, telling Politico: "There are people that couldn't win if he was our nominee." And that's from House Republicans -- not Senate Republicans, who are much more in danger of losing their majority. Our prediction: The Republican Party will not surrender and let Trump be its nominee without a protracted fight. The reason: The GOP's majorities hang in the balance. While none of these folks in charge of winning House/Senate elections want Trump at the top of the GOP ticket, many MIGHT welcome a Trump independent candidacy. Why? It might giftwrap the presidency for the Democrats, but it would potentially bring more right-leaning folks to the polls, and there aren't many three-way races down the ballot. Could a Trump indie candidacy save the Senate for the GOP? Something to ponder. 

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Source: NBC News

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