Exclusive: Dozens of former Republican officials in talks to form anti-Trump third party

[Judi Lynn]

FEBRUARY 10, 20218:39 PMUPDATED 15 MINUTES AGO

By Tim Reid

5 MIN READ


(Reuters) - Dozens of former Republican officials, who view the party as unwilling to stand up to former President Donald Trump and his attempts to undermine U.S. democracy, are in talks to form a center-right breakaway party, four people involved in the discussions told Reuters.

The early stage discussions include former elected Republicans, former officials in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Trump, ex-Republican ambassadors and Republican strategists, the people involved say.

More than 120 of them held a Zoom call last Friday to discuss the breakaway group, which would run on a platform of “principled conservatism,” including adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law - ideas those involved say have been trashed by Trump.

The plan would be to run candidates in some races but also to endorse center-right candidates in others, be they Republicans, independents or Democrats, the people say.

More:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-party-exclusive/exclusive-dozens-of-former-republican-officials-in-talks-to-form-anti-trump-third-party-idUSKBN2AB07P

[Liberty Belle]

1. I've heard whispers of this in our major county, too.

Not sure if it's related to this national effort, or if it's a separate local plan.

I hope it happens, as it's healthy for our democracy.

[tblue37]

2. First they need to support Dems through enough cycles to defeat the Empty Greene GOP.

[turtleblossom]

3. As long as they don't pull democrats further to the right...

it may be best for them (and dems) to form a 3rd party.

[live love laugh]

4. That's nice but they're still Republicans and I know Republicans to be liars.

That being said, they may “split" now but when 2022 comes and they go to the voting booth they are still going to pull the lever, so to speak, for their own--no matter how despicable. It has nothing to do with Trump and everything to do with their radical quest for power and their ruthlessness.

[Mopar151]

5. Breaking the Norquist lock on primaries

Taking a couple steps back from The Quazy! Big bidness don't like the quazy so much anymore, could stand some more taxes if business was better!

[dugog55]

6. If they could find some early 60s Republicans I might have some hope

for this idea. But, starting with Nixon and especially with Reagan the GOP has been taking a nose dive to the right. Anti-gay, anti-POC, anti-education, anti-labor, anti-average American. They started to to rot 50 years ago and it has gotten progressively worse. The GOP is a Party that needs to go entirely. There is no salvaging it now. They have shown who they are and what they want for a long time. That is not going to change because one of theirs was just more openly blatant about how they all feel and act.

[AmyStrange]

7. Wouldn't that split the retrumplican votes?

-

What are they, idiots?

Yes, yes they are.
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[lagomorph777]

8. Please proceed.