The Link Among #NeverTrump Republicans

There is no doubt that the Donald Trump nomination has revealed (or exacerbated) a rift within the Republican Party. And there are several prominent Republicans, like Mitt Romney and Lindsey Graham, who have vehemently and explicitly rejected Trump. But there appears to a common link amongst the majority of Republicans who still claim to be apart of the #NeverTrump movement.

They aren't on the ballot in 2016.

Many other GOP officials, especially those with lots at stake in the 2016 elections, have instead taken a softer line — they've attempted to signal their ambivalence about Trump or distance themselves from him somehow, but they haven't ruled out voting for him.

This should be no surprise. GOP politicians on the ballot in competitive races this year are trying to strike a difficult balance — they need to win over the swing voters who may despise Trump, but they also have to retain the support of the many Republicans who will turn out for Trump. And this will be a challenge to pull off.

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What most #NeverTrump Republicans have in common: they're not on the ballot this year

Of course, the reason that there are so few Republicans that have explicitly and enthusiastically endorsed Trump is quite small - here is a list compiled by Sean Hannity of Republican Presidential Candidates that endorsed Trump (6/16 is not a good number and two of those - Rand Paul and Bobby Jindal - appear to just be supporting him out of a desire to defeat Clinton) - and that makes sense. Trump is very unpopular nationally, trails Hillary Clinton in polls, is particularly despised by a key demographic swing group, is known for offensive comments (like the ones in my signature), and has little apparent dedication to conservative principles.

It will be interesting to see how, or whether, the Republican party survives the divide and to see the movement in the message amongst those Republicans actively appearing on the ballot in 2016.

Kind of a "no ****" reaction for me.

If someone wants to endorse Trump, all power to him/her. If someone doesn't want to endorse Trump for the same reasons I don't endorse him, I get it. But my job won't be lost if I endorse him or don't endorse him. I can't imagine being put in a position where I was forced to keep my job by having to support a Democrat masquerading as a Republican.

tres borrachos said:

Kind of a "no ****" reaction for me.

If someone wants to endorse Trump, all power to him/her. If someone doesn't want to endorse Trump for the same reasons I don't endorse him, I get it. But my job won't be lost if I endorse him or don't endorse him. I can't imagine being put in a position where I was forced to keep my job by having to support a Democrat masquerading as a Republican.

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AKA Chris Christie. He bailed on NJ to run his campaign and spent most of his time in NH. He lost badly and then went to Trump for support. I'm going to guess that his political future will be over if Trump loses or Trump is a horrible President. Though that could change if Christie is selected as VP.

Anybody with a politically secure future will probably not endorse Trump. Anybody's whose in question right now have to weigh their chances.