Terry, I think we might want to ease up on the brokered convention obsession. We’re starting to sound like John Kasich.
While Trump’s reaching 1,237 delegates looks more likely than ever, let’s not forget what happens if the #NeverTrump’ers are successful in blocking his victory and rejecting the voters’ mandate at the Republican convention.
Barring a Ted Cruz surge where he wins in states like Indiana, California, and — gulp — New Jersey, the only way to stop Trump would be a combination of backroom deals, establishment rule-sharking, and unfaithful delegates. Do we really think that will go over well with an angry electorate that already seems to hate the GOP?
Donald Trump has 10 million votes. Ted Cruz has 7 million. Donald Trump has 954 pledged delegates — not counting his likely haul of 40-plus in Pennsylvania. Ted Cruz has just 547. Trump is beating Cruz — and everyone else — everywhere.
Again, I can’t stress this enough — Trump is not my preferred candidate. I don’t know if he has an authentic conservative bone in his body. But stealing the nomination from the voters? That would be devastating.
I understand there is a desire to prevent this man from winning the nomination. But that effort should have had its stuff together back in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and the SEC primary on March 1st. Stealing this from the voters — and call it whatever you like, that’s how it will be seen — would be a betrayal of their trust. It would destroy the party and guarantee President Hillary.
Maybe that sounds alright to establishment Republicans who want to keep their grip on power, but that sounds awful to me.
#NeverTrump might be successful in denying Trump and nominating Cruz or Kasich, or Jeb Bush, or whomever, but what good is that if 10 million voters — and maybe even more — give the GOP a big middle finger in November?
Unless you can convince me that Republican voters are going to suck it up and be a-okay with their votes being worthless, I have a hard time cheerleading a process move that, on its face, seems so anti-democratic and anti-voter.
Jon Schweppe is the Communications Director for American Principles Project. Follow him on Twitter @JonSchweppe.
