Wondering why vulnerable GOP Senators and candidates are still standing with Donald Trump after his despicable attacks on the Gold Star family of Khizr and Ghazala Khan? Look no further than NRSC guidance, drafted all the way back in September. Following the script, Republicans are putting party over county and avoiding “piling on the nominee” in order to avoid depressed turnout that could potentially hurt their own electoral chances. So much for principle.
SHOT: Morning Consult: “But even with their tough talk, prominent Republicans are not backing down from their support of Trump, even after another another unforced error by the Republican nominee has put the party back on defense and left its candidates, yet again, having to defend his place at the top of the ticket.
SHOT: Jennifer Rubin: This leaves McCain, like other Republicans, simultaneously condemning Trump’s horrible rhetoric but nevertheless telling the country by virtue of his endorsement that Trump is fit to be president — and preferable to Hillary Clinton. This is cognitive dissonance on steroids…As things stand, they continue to put their own perceived political interests and party fidelity above principle and simple human decency.
CHASER: NRSC Donald Trump Memo, September 2015:
“We Can’t Afford to Depress the GOP Vote. Spending full time attacking our own nominee will ensure that the GOP vote is depressed. That will only serve to topple GOP candidates at every level. Maintain the right amount of independence, but avoid piling on the nominee.”
