Why Donald Trump May Destroy the Republican Party
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures and declares "You're fired!" at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, June 17, 2015. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1GZCO
From the moment Donald Trump announced his presidential campaign, Republican leadership was not happy. It was only when Trump started doing well in the polls, however, that Republicans knew Trump would be a problem.
A number of leaders among the Republican Party feel that a Trump presidency would be disastrous. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has publically stated that Trump, “does not reflect conservative values” and that the ideals of xenophobia and bigotry that Trump exerts do not reflect the views of the Republican Party. Despite consistent criticism from both conservative and moderate Republicans, Trump overwhelmingly maintains his position as the Republican frontrunner.
If Trump does, as projected, succeed in receiving the most Republican delegates, one of two things will happen. First, Trump will receive the
Republican nomination, despite the best efforts of Republican leaders. Second, in a similar fashion to Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 presidential run, Republican leaders may attempt to form another Republican party, complete with a candidate groomed to their liking. This move would make it much more difficult for Trump to win the presidency, and would effectively destroy the Republican Party as we know it.
While there have been discussions among Republican leadership of “going nuclear” with this neo Bull Moose plan, no concrete decisions have been made, and at this point, are just rumors. This sort of move, coupled with the Bernie or Bust movement, could bring an end to the two-party system altogether.
