GOP Gives Up on ‘Dump Trump’

[DonViejo]

Tim Mak

Powerful Republicans have started to accept that Cleveland will be The Donald Show debate, but have their fingers crossed it’s a one time performance.

Republican grief over Donald Trump’s all but assured presence on the debate stage next month seems to be entering it’s final stage: acceptance.

Whether it’s the winery-owning mega donor, or the Koch-backed Hispanic outreach group or the former head of the American Conservative Union, there is a distaste for the abrasive reality television star and businessman.

But although there was preliminary chatter about finding a way to marginalize Trump or keep him off the debate stage in Cleveland, Ohio, the unhappiness with his recent insulting comments about Hispanics has yielded to mere condemnation and an unhappy acquiescence to his presence in the race.

“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” Trump said recently.

John Jordan, the multi-millionaire winery owner and the third largest donor to super PACs in the country in 2013, had originally contemplated gathering signatures to keep Trump off the debate stage.

“Someone in the party ought to start some sort of petition saying, ‘If Trump’s going to be on the stage, I’m not going to be on there with him,’” Jordan told the Associated Press last week. “I’m toying with the idea of it.”


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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/15/gop-gives-up-on-dump-trump.html

[Gothmog]

1. Trump has yet to file his FEC financial statements

I am still thinking that Trump may not be in the debate because he will have some excuse for not filing his FEC financial statements

[DonViejo]

6. Here come the financial disclosures

Today is the day — or maybe tomorrow. Trump is expected to file his personal disclosure forms today with the Federal Elections Commission. Trump confirmed on “Morning Joe” that he will be releasing his financial disclosure forms “today or tomorrow,” noting that he was not filing for an extension like his fellow candidates Jeb Bush and Rick Perry. Trump boasted about his wealth, saying that “the numbers will be far in excess of what anybody thought.” When he announced, Trump placed his assets at around $9 billion. That figure would make Trump the wealthiest person to ever run for president.

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/15/the_daily_donald_trump_gets_shut_down_by_brother_of_woman_whose_murder_he_politicized/

[mainstreetonce]

2. Do they have a rule

about every candidate has to file before he can debate?

That would be a simple solution,although Trump could file some phony numbers and not care if he is questioned later.

[sufrommich]

3. I am so watching those debates. nt

[concreteblue]

4. Republican Politics = Reality Show

Considering the low approval ratings of the GOP in general, and the ridiculous nature of the candidates overall, I think the inclusion of Trump is probably a ratings move. Risky business for the GOP, sure. Bonanza for the media.

[Buns_of_Fire]

5. I'm looking forward to watching their debates.

Especially the part where Rump disagrees with someone else and starts yelling "You're fired! You're fired!" just before he has to be led off the stage in a strait jacket.

Think he'll insist that his podium be two feet taller than everyone else's and be covered in gold leaf? Maybe he'll make his entrance on a throne carried by used-up "Apprentice" discards. Oh, and tossing silver dollars to the crowd. I can see him dressed as George Washington, orange-powdered wig and all. (Think Apollo Creed's entrance in Rocky.)

Or, worst of all (for the GOP), he could come off as well-mannered and reasonable.

Nah. "Well-mannered" and "reasonable" aren't in his vocabulary.

Carry on, Rump.