Morning Joe says independent with major Republican funding to launch today

[Chiyo-chichi]

His sources say this candidate will have major funding from Republicans who are more interested in stopping Trump than winning. They'll get on the ballot where they can and sue for ballot access in other states. He expects an announcement today.

[PearliePoo2]

1. Joe wouldn't say who it was.

He was asked if it was David French. No, he said it was David French 2.0.
Stay tuned.

[MADem]

42. CIA guy!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cia-agent-launch-independent-presidential-bid/story?id=41201256

[liberal N proud]

2. I think they are already too late in 5 or 6 states

Friday was the deadline in at least 3.

Here is a thread on deadlines: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512345688

[Chiyo-chichi]

4. Yes, it is...

But Scarborough says this candidacy is supported by Never Trump people. They are more interested in drawing enough votes away from him to prevent him from winning than they are in winning the White House.

[PearliePoo2]

3. If this person is an independant with RePub backing..

..does that benefit Clinton? I would think so.

[Hortensis]

5. First reaction here, no, it wouldn't. We want her to be the

anti-Trump choice for moderate conservatives who take their vote seriously.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. Of course it benefits her.

We have a first past the poll plurality system. It doesn't matter if "moderate" republicans stay home, vote for a different republican, or vote for Johnson. As long as they don't vote for Trump it helps Clinton win all of the electoral votes in that state.

[rug]

26. It would benefit the republican party post-trump.

They would claim trump was an aberration and the gop remains the alternative to another Clinton administration. Perot was used as a delegitimiing argument for ears.

Hillary will win either way. Far better she wins in a landslide againt trump, the sole republican candidate. There's already been too much Hillary-bashing, inside and outside the party, to give these particular bashers a talking point. She has the potentioal to end the republican party.

[Hortensis]

35. Umhm. The bigger issue is down-ballot races.

Right now we have a fairly good chance of getting a majority in the Senate, and even perhaps control, plus a distant but real chance of a majority in the House. Then there are all the state races.

We ABSOLUTELY want this election to be seen as a choice between Trump Republicans and Clinton and the rest of the Democratic candidates.

And the wannabe spoiler is apparently Evan McMullin! Who?

[groundloop]

39. Yes, far better for GOPers to simply stay home on election day

[rug]

41. Evan who. Exactly.

[Adrahil]

30. We have to be careful here....

A win requires an absolute majority of Electoral Votes. Although I think it is very unlikely, we don't want a situation where any independent run could potentially throw the vote to the House.

[Warren Stupidity]

34. Sure but that requires third party state wins.

So again, in a plurality system that is so difficult that it hasn't happened since George Wallace.

[Adrahil]

40. I agree... it is VERY unlikely, but....

We need to be aware of all the implications.

The name they are floating right now will have no impact on the election, IMO.

[Hortensis]

36. Very true. It'll be interesting to see what funding

Evan McMullin gets. It should be a far better indicator of this possibility than anything the flapping mouths say.

[grubbs]

6. Divide and conquer

Wait. They are dividing themselves? What are they? Stupid?

[C_U_L8R]

10. Shhhh.

Just tell them 'proceed'. Hahaha

[TDale313]

21. If this is true, they know. They'd just rather lose this one

Than see Trump in the White House.

[Gabi Hayes]

7. if this happens, the best thing will be that T will turn his insanity away from HRC to the pugs

how much fun will that be?

[Renew Deal]

8. This worked so well in the primaries

Why not try again?
This might be an attempt to get right wingers to the polls in general. I'm not sure people will be motivated to support one right wing loser over another. The funny thing is that if Trump, Johnson, and RW flavor of the day add up to 51% wingers will comfort themselves with the idea that "conservatives" got more votes.

What happens if moderate republicans switch from Hillary to their guy? Does Trump win?

[Ilsa]

11. "This might be an attempt to get right wingers to the polls in general."

There you go. Putting up another candidate might help Hillary, but it might also bring more gop voters in to vote gop in down-ticket races. I'd rather they stay home.

[MADem]

43. Bingo. nt

[global1]

13. Perhaps No One Wins And It Throws The Decision To The Repug Controlled....

House.

[Gabi Hayes]

14. if this happens, it's all over. we can all relax and watch the well deserved death throes of the

Frankenstein party

this will be better than nixons final days

[PearliePoo2]

12. Scar says he's hearing this is still a "GO". The panel is working their phones right now.

They're saying he's a former CIA guy, never in politics before.

[rjsquirrel]

15. Such bullshit

Nothing will come of it.

[Chiyo-chichi]

16. He also says it is a younger guy… Compelling speaker

He also says it is a younger guy… Compelling speaker… Currently has 136 followers on Twitter! They have the name but won't say it until they get a second confirmation. They expect the announcements to come online this morning.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. been googling looking for someone who fits that. must be total unknown.

[rjsquirrel]

19. Waiting for Godot

Someone with zero name recognition.

Bullshit.

[RapSoDee]

17. The Repubs are going to put Comrade Pootie Poot up as their "Independent"

It's part of their new "Russo-Republican Royal Screw Americans" campaign.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. back in February

wonder why they waited....


http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/doors-gop-consulting-independent-219859

Donors ask GOP consulting firm to research independent presidential bid
A group of Republicans is moving quickly to research ballot-access requirements for independent candidates in case Trump wraps up the GOP nomination next month.
By Scott Bland
02/26/16 12:44 PM EST

The document, stamped “confidential,” was authored by staff at Data Targeting, a Republican firm based in Gainesville, Fla. The memo notes that “it is possible to mount an independent candidacy but [it] will require immediate action on the part of this core of key funding and strategic players.”

[OKNancy]

22. Evan McMullin

Joe Scarborough ‏@JoeNBC 2m2 minutes ago
Multiple sources tell me the candidate is Evan McMullin. Wharton grad, CIA alum, Goldman Sachs, Republican Policy Director, US House

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. thanks !

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. Buzz Feed has it too

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/anti-trump-republican-launching-independent-presidential-bid?utm_term=.plrMOR2an#.gcWQyM03R

[HereSince1628]

28. Is this is the Evan McMullin that's an alum of Brigham Young?

[malaise]

38. with one aim

Fugging up Utah for Hillary

[eShirl]

25. yes!!!1

So who do you think will play at Hillary's inauguration celebration?

[Croney]

27. Won't Trump drop out now?

This gives him "proof" that the universe is totally rigged against him bigly.

[still_one]

29. according to an LBN post it is this person

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141545024

[Bucky]

44. Oh that's just pitiful.

Evan McWho is not a threat to Trump. He won't get on that many states' ballots and he won't pull 1% in the states that matter.

How could someone from the intelligence community be that dumb? If he's a true believer, I say let him enjoy his kamikaze candidacy.

[still_one]

45. I think you are right

[Chiyo-chichi]

31. Any McMullin campaign

will be very occupied just tying to get on ballots at this point, which will diminish any capacity to establish a ground game.

I only wonder who is funding him and how much bank he has.

[Doodley]

32. This is hilarious! Just makes the Republicans look more divided, even if the votes are negligible.

[pinboy3niner]

33. They don't call him 'Morning Joke' for nothing

[malaise]

37. They want to fugg up Utah

for Hillary