“We all share concerns about Donald Trump”, said state Rep. Niraj Antani, a first-time delegate from southwest OH, where one of his legislative colleagues and fellow delegate, Shannon Jones, is staying home in an act she described as “conscientiously objecting” to Trump.
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Opponents also seemed caught off guard by a decision by Trump supporters to amend party rules with language clearly stating that convention delegates must vote based on the results of primaries and caucuses. Marco Rubio during the campaign, but believes Trump would be a vast improvement over a Hillary Clinton presidency – pointing to the Supreme Court and the economy.
Even if given the chance to dump Trump in favor of someone else, some Missouri delegates said they wouldn’t do so.
All of a sudden, some delegates are heaving a sigh, wondering yet again – albeit privately – if they have candidate they can trust. Numerous top supporters have been previously identified on financial documents filed by the RNC or have come out prominently as Trump backers in the media.
Morelli said he expects to see anti-Trump protesters on the streets of Cleveland, but looks forward to a peaceful – if lively – atmosphere inside the convention hall. He added: “One way or the other, what I would like to do is persuade enough people not to vote for Trump”. “But it will show the unity of the party”.
Florida delegate Brian Ballard said the pick would ease fears some conservatives have about Trump.
Priebus got behind Trump early, proclaiming him the party’s presumptive nominee immediately after Trump won the May 3 Indiana primary (over Ted Cruz, who was endorsed by Trump’s eventual running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence).
Delegate Lori Hack says she’ll go anyway and try to be credentialed, but Graham says she’s already been replaced on the delegate list and her efforts will be a waste of time. Is Hillary Clinton going to do the right tax policy?
“We very much wanted John Kasich to be our nominee; we didn’t win the nomination”, Borges said. “And now that she’s been elected, Arizona wants her to hold herself to the same standard and vote for Donald Trump on the first ballot – that’s part of the deal”.
“This election is really not Republicans vs. Democrats”. Winning over Republicans should be the easy part for the party’s standard-bearer.
Follow Post politics reporter George Bennett and digital editor Kristina Webb as they bring you live coverage of the Republican and Democratic conventions this week and next.
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Trump’s team is rallying delegates to remain true to the outcome of their state primaries, caucuses and conventions, which gave him enough pledged delegates to become the presumed nominee.
