T. Belman. Trumps success mirrors their failure. Trump resonates with the voters. They alienated the voters. Trump and Cruz are right on Muslims and they are wrong.
Members of the GOP foreign policy establishment are open to supporting Ted Cruz or even Hillary Clinton for president if that’s what it takes to prevent Donald Trump from becoming commander in chief.
In interviews with The Hill, prominent Republicans who signed a scathing open letter denouncing Trump said they aren’t wavering from their opposition to him.
“What’s happening is you have a lot of people who are desperate to get anybody in there other than Trump. … People are going to go for Cruz, because at the end of the day they think he’s considerably less bad than Trump,” said Eliot A. Cohen, a former Jeb Bush adviser who also served in the George W. Bush administration.
Cohen, along with Bryan McGrath, organized an open letter opposing Trump that was signed by more than 120 members of the Republican foreign policy establishment. The letter declared that Trump is unfit to be president because his views of American power are “wildly inconsistent and unmoored in principle.”
The Hill contacted 13 of the people on the letter and heard back from all but two of them.
Support among the group appears to be shifting to Cruz, especially now that the Texas senator has won endorsements from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
“Donald Trump is not a Republican. … He is a caricature of classless wealth. … He is a caricature of the ugly American,” said McGrath, the deputy director at the Center for American Seapower at the Hudson Institute who is now working with the Cruz campaign.
Still, some say the fact that more supporters of Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) haven’t joined Cruz shows how unenthusiastic many are about him.
“All the palatable choices are gone,” said a senior Republican congressional staffer who wished to remain unidentified in order to speak freely.
When Cruz put out his list of foreign policy advisers last week, only two of those named were from the Rubio campaign — Jim Talent and Eliot Abrams — and none were from the Bush campaign.
Recently, the Truman National Security Project, a left-leaning think tank, detailed several areas of foreign policy that Trump and Cruz had in common, such as wanting to impose a religious test on Muslim refugees.
“For someone who is a George H.W. Bush Republican, this is really an uncomfortable choice,” said Daniel Drezner, a professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy who signed the open letter and voted for Rubio in the Massachusetts primary.
Stephen Rodriguez, a former Bush adviser and managing partner at One Defense who is now supporting Cruz, called Trump “amoral,” a “fraud” and a “dangerous demagogue.”
“I don’t know what’s worse — having Trump say all those ridiculous things and being totally clueless, or having him say all those things and actually mean it?” said Rodriguez, who signed the letter.
“At the end of the day, he has done nothing to earn my vote. He doesn’t have the character or the values that would qualify him to be president of the United States and commander in chief, nor is he a conservative or a Republican,” said Roger Zakheim, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, who advised Rubio and also signed the letter.
Trump did little to win over his detractors with his list of foreign policy advisers, which the billionaire businessman released this week.
The list included five new names: former Pentagon inspector general Joseph Schmitz; oil and energy consultant George Papadopoulos; BAU International University provost Walid Phares; former Army lieutenant general and consulting firm executive J. Keith Kellogg Jr.; and longtime energy executive Carter Page.
Drezner noted that Schmitz was accused of stonewalling congressional investigations during the George W. Bush administration and resigned, while reports in 2012 alleged there was a link between Phares and war crimes in Lebanon.
“Trump promised he was going to introduce, like, the classiest foreign policy team … let’s just say, this isn’t it,” Drezner said.
“To say the least, it’s a pretty underwhelming group of people,” Cohen added.
Trump said he is planning to release more names, but his critics in the foreign policy sphere aren’t expecting much.
“Anyone who decides to work for him, they’re sort of revealing themselves as probably not among the best of the GOP foreign policy thinkers, because it’s such a stigma,” Drezner said.
Some members of the Republican foreign policy establishment are “shell-shocked” by what has happened in the primary race, the GOP staffer said, and are just planning to stay on the sidelines going forward.
Some of them are hoping for a third-party candidate from the GOP.
“If indeed it comes down to Hillary versus Trump as the nominees … then I’m certainly interested in whether or not we’ll see a third party, but I can’t support Trump’s candidacy,” Zakheim said.
John Noonan, a former Jeb Bush adviser, said he would write in Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins for president if Trump is the GOP nominee and then vote Republican down the rest of the ballot.
“Cousins isn’t any less experienced than Trump, and at least Cousins has never bankrupted a casino,” he said. But, he added, “I’d like to see Cruz beat Trump or a third-party conservative come in, in that order.”
Several admit that if absolutely forced to choose between Trump and Clinton, they would pick the former secretary of State.
“I’ll never support Trump, period. If the only choices I’m offered is between Hillary and Trump, I’ll go for Hillary,” said Cohen, who said he’s hoping for a third possibility or a write-in.
One pointed to Clinton’s speech earlier this week at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, saying it was relatively well received and could have been delivered by Rubio.
McGrath said he would vote for Clinton if he “got a gun held to my head” and was forced to choose only between her and Trump. He added that in reality, however, he would write in a name.
But, he added, “on foreign and defense policy, I at least trust Hillary’s judgment.”
McGrath isn’t alone.
“If it’s between Trump and Clinton, I will vote for Clinton,” Drezner said.
“I think there are others who will make that determination, even if you don’t like Hillary Clinton, if you dislike her domestic agenda,” he added.
Max Boot, a Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow and former Rubio foreign policy adviser who also signed the letter, said he would choose Clinton over both Trump and Cruz.
“I would consider a conservative third party but would vote for Hillary over Trump — not a close call,” he said. “Cruz [versus] Clinton is a closer call but on foreign policy grounds I would probably vote for Hillary.”
The best thing trump can do for this country is get a massive heart attack or stroke.
His supporters are angry, stupid blue collar goyim who are out of jobs because of their own unions. Who’s fault is it that they aren’t smart enough to go further than factory employment. Trump supporters are all about promoting white goyim nationalism (the words of trumpbot).
Trump is a rapist. Don jr. is sleeping with his stepmother and the middle son is a closeted homo. How’s that for spreading rumors. Prove its not true.
As cruelty goes, it was pretty benign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD-E-LDc384
babushka Said:
Forgive me Sugar, I was cruel, and G-d Bless your lil’ol heart!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUWMSVDPdGQ
I like his no-nonsense approach.
Reminds me of Pol Pot.
@ babushka:
Mad Max is way to the left of Bernie. Every six months or so he comes out of his cave and rants inanities and then disappears back to cave to hibernate.
Those of us who are lacking in wit appreciate you, Max.
@ Max:
Grumpy Ol’Max , as if you ever had anything interesting or important to say.
babushka Said:
Oh Babs, so disappointed. You can do so much better then above. What has happen to your wit.???
If they can ever adapt to subhuman food (insects) then he will doubtlessly enjoy consuming your illiterate sewage.
Ted : Send the clutter to the chit chat thread.
please and thank you.
@ Keli-A:
Bears is omnivorous, omnivore,
babushka Said:
Ah Sophie, you caught my little joke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PwH3Ep8DVQ
babushka Said:
The CDW [Colorado Division of Wildlife] has discovered that black/brown bears thrive and reproduce better on human food [garbage] and that is why Bear Klein reads your posts so enthusiastically.
I have suspected from the start that “honeybee” is a satirical gag account because no one is this dizzy.
“Obtuse” does not mean “obese”. Same two first letters. Different words.
Keli-A Said:
I remain undefeated.
babushka Said:
Ross is a Navy Man, you should see him in Bell-Bottoms.
honeybee Said:
Haaaaaaaaaaaaa
Keli-A Said:
Done been retouched.. Eye/hand again, you’re amazing.
Keli-A Said:
I’ll vouch for the above statement as fact. Especially the “eye hand” stuff.
honeybee Said:
Horse looks fine but he has a weird right ear? Intentional?
Keli-A Said:
Then peek under his skirts, Love. I am way to modest.
babushka Said:
Then, Babs Darling, you to lose weight. Start by just eating your words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_s0oj7sbc
Gavin captures the spirit of the age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeNEq0TWGdk
honeybee Said:
Don’t know never asked him?
Keli-A Said:
Babs is a gentile ??????
Keli-A Said:
Roped, flanked and tied, love.
@ bernard ross:
You like Shaggy!! I receive a commission to paint a horse. I played Shaggy. in my studio, while was painting. I would have never have guessed your were a Shaggy fan.
@ honeybee:
Not bad for a cowgirl Bee 😛
Bernie Sanders wins Alaska those damn commie Eskimos gave him the state. He won by 79% Haaaaa
bernard ross Said:
No Darlin, I guess have to explain myself in Yankee. I was saying that Trump’s message must be heard and you are doing “Good Work” by spreading it. Like manure Trump’s message must be spread to grow. Is that Yankee enough??
babushka Said:
Deal!! Never thought or said otherwise. “In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
Ross you write like you it is only legitimate to be for Trump. That is really having only blinders on or NY City Trump glasses.
The GOP has historically been pro Trade and with a strong foreign policy. Trump is not for these things. You maybe not and that is your right. Pat Buchanan was the last isolationist candidate.
It is also the right of people to be for small government, pro growth including things like a flat tax (see Cruz tax plan which is excellent), smart free trade (like Romney who also railed against currency manipulation just like Trump) but was not threatening to start a world recession which is what putting on a 45% tariff would do. His threats do it to individual companies is not even remotely legal.
So other Republicans have different views that is why 60 to 70% of them have been voting for someone other than Trump. You may label them establishment or this or that. The point is they are not for Trump for myriad of reasons.
Trump will need to find a way to convince the others he is not so scary if he can do that he may find a way to win on a second or later ballot. If not that is how the election process works. The winners cheer. The losers cry foul and claim the other side cheated.
Lining delegates up your way or for your candidate is how it works. Trump is also trying to make this happen as I type. Completely fair.
You are the only Trumpling on the site with a halfway decent sense of humor, so’ll make you a deal, Gramps.
We’ll blame Cruz for the Melania nudie.
And since Trump is close friends with David Pecker who owns the National Enquirer, we will agree that Trump is responsible for the smear alleging that Cruz has more lovers than Wilt Chamberlain.
By the way, that might be a good name for all Trump supporters.
Peckers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s637-5A9Gro
babushka Said:
Nice
@ babushka:
You are in denial of what everyone knows: that there is no real separation between support PACS and the candidate campaign. It’s a fiction designed to allow big donors access to campaign financing and influence, seems you are the only one who has yet to understand what’s been going on since campaign reform…. The supreme court blew this one and yet when all is said and done it seems you are the real one in denial and or a senile altacocker in your own right.
@ bernard ross:
@ babushka:
TRUMP WILL DESTROY HILLARY CLINTON FROM TRUMP INSIDER ROGER STONE
@ bernard ross:
🙂 🙂 🙂
Your disordered diatribes about these myths involving Carson in Iowa and the Melania PAC ad offer two possibilities: pathological dishonesty or senility. With ross, it is the former. The Liz Mair PAC is legally prohibited from collaborating with Cruz. If you have evidence of illegality – which you don’t because you are a lying sack of poo – provide it to the FEC.
Insofar as K-A is concerned, well, let’s be charitable and write it off to the altacocker inadvertently snorting his suppositories.
When Trump acknowledged that his supporters are so disoriented that they would worship him even if he committed mass murder, he had you two shmendricks specifically in mind.
babushka Said:
LOL, nice one… like the crook pretending to be innocent Cruz pretends that he did not slime trumps wife…someone else did it… it wasnt me he said
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbBbOWVFTXQ
@ babushka:
Haaaaa Cruz should remember never bring a knife to a gun fight he pulled the same shit in Iowa against the good Doctor then his PAC did same in Utah against Trump so those polygamist Mormons would shun Trump even if some had an inclination to do so, bolstering his majority. They brought Trumps family into play and not Trump..Cruz’ but remember Glass houses and stones don’t go together. Trump knows how to shift media attention on to himself and that’s the name of the game.
Hey I like Simmons I hear he has AIDS???
@ Bear Klein:
Trump saw what was wrong with obamacare… restricted to state insuring restricted the size of the insurance pool which increased costs and lowered benefits. A nationwide system which creates a national pool will reduce the costs. the strategy was to give a system designed to fail the minute they agreed on the mandate for states. when people want something that the establishment does not want to give they instead give a version designed to fail knowing folks will return like fools the the con they had before that they were trying to escape. Considering that the GOP keeps talking about market solutions I am surprised they appear incompetent to arrive at a market solution so solve the problems. It is no coincidence that every developed first world nation and some third worlders have national health systems.
How revealing! If that crapweasel Trump slimed your wife, you would have to script an angry retort? Now we know what type of guy you really are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAOy4KggUTc
babushka Said:
http://animations.fg-a.com/faces/smiley-face-tongue-out.png
Now we agree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGU_SHufUBk
@ bernard ross:
It was all scripted and I bet he practices (Cruz) his angry retort hrs before his mirror…. Haaaa so phony Welol they all lie but Breitbart is leading the Trump support and that says a lot also Drudge seems to be aboard his train as well….
Bear Klein Said:
she did the same with trump and cruz
who’s danny?
@ Keli-A:
like donald succinctly said: lying Ted…. he pretended that he had nothing to do with the superpac that insulted donalds wife and then whined about donalds reply.
babushka Said:
Bet you are a chip off the old block
Bear Klein Said:
thats exactly what the GOP establishment has paid their minions to accomplish. My prediction is that if Trump is cheated at the nomination, which i beleive he will be based on what is going on with the delegates, as I posted prior,….. the GOP will lose the general election. The gop platform cannot win as it addresses hardly any of the majority concerns.
Bear Klein Said:
I already posted how the GOP and cruz are putting Cruz supporters into the delegate slots so that they will vote for other than Trump after the first ballot. Its already all set up.
babushka Said:
I thought you were Rosy?? I am confused. So many shifting identities here need score card to keep track. I like Babbs easy to remember no mater what your genitalia.