Subject: As Donald Trump Meets with Paul Ryan, Chorus of Republicans and Conservative Commentators Rejecting His Risky, Unpredictible and Divisive Candidacy Only Grows
From: Hillary for America Press <[email-masked]>
To: Hillary for America Press <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 12 May 2016 10:10:31 -0400
List-Id: <nationalpress2016.hillaryclinton.com>

*​As Donald Trump Meets with Paul Ryan, Chorus of Republicans and
Conservative Commentators Rejecting His Risky, Unpredictible and Divisive
Candidacy Only Grows*

Since Donald Trump became the Republican Party's presumptive nominee for
president last Tuesday, the chorus of Republicans and conservative
commentators from around the country rejecting his unpredictable, risky and
divisive candidacy has grown daily. Donald Trump has for years proven
himself to be a loose cannon whose hateful language and dangerous policies
will do serious harm to working families and put America’s security at
risk, and Republicans are continuing to acknowledge that a President Trump
would be too big a risk.

*Watch the video
<https://amp.twimg.com/v/85d61190-d754-468a-9c04-35b58ec11532> and keep
reading below for some of the greatest hits
<https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/updates/2016/05/04/conservatives-rebuke-trump-as-he-captures-republican-nomination/>
of Republicans rejecting and condeming Donald Trump:*

*Watch the Video: "Unifier"
<https://amp.twimg.com/v/85d61190-d754-468a-9c04-35b58ec11532>*

​

*Speaker Paul Ryan [R-WI]
<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/paul-ryan-says-he-cannot-support-trump-at-this-point-222864>*:
"U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday that he can not currently
support Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee. "I'm just not
ready to do that at this point," Ryan told CNN, adding that he hopes to be
able to do so in the future.""

*Rosario Marin, former U.S. Treasurer under President George W. Bush
<http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2016/05/10/latina-gop-operative-wont-stump-for-trump-says-insulted-her-community/>*:
“I have been the spokesperson for five presidential Republican campaigns. I
have attended the previous five Republican national conventions. I’m not
going this year, and I am not campaigning for him. I would never, never,
ever vote for the little orange man."

*Former Senator Gordon Humphrey [R-NH]
<http://www.unionleader.com/Discord-as-NH-delegates-vote:-16-attend-meeting-to-vote-on-convention-committee-assignments&source=RSS>*:
““Unequivocally, I am not supporting Donald Trump. … I think he is a
sociopath.””
*Former Romney staffer Garrett Jackson
<https://twitter.com/coryadair/status/727661577743163392>*: “Sorry Mr.
Chairman, not happening. I have to put country over party. I cannot support
a dangerous phony."

*Former top Romney strategist Stuart Stevens
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/us/politics/trump-gop.html>*: “I think
Donald Trump has proven to be unbalanced and uniquely unqualified to be
president. I won’t support him… Everyone has to make their own choice. I
think Trump is despicable and will prove to be a disaster for the party.
I’d urge everyone to continue to oppose him.’”

*Nevada Senator Dean Heller
<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-05-04/trump-s-triumph-leaves-many-republicans-at-a-loss-for-words>:
*“I vehemently oppose our nominee and some of the comments and issues he
brought up during the campaign."

*Former McCain adviser Mark Salter <https://twitter.com/marksalter55>*:
“The GOP is going to nominate for President a guy who reads the National
Enquirer and thinks it's on the level. I'm with her.”

*Former VA Gubernatorial candidate, Ken Cuccinelli on Trump
<http://www.wsj.com/articles/republican-divide-about-trump-grows-1456797124>*:
“When you’ve got a guy favorably quoting Mussolini, I don’t care what party
you’re in, I’m not voting for that guy.”

*Billionaire Bush-backer Mike Fernandez
<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article48067815.html>*:
“If I have a choice — and you can put it in bold — if I have a choice
between Trump and Hillary Clinton, I’m choosing Hillary.”

*Former top Romney strategist Stuart Stevens
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/us/politics/trump-gop.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1>*:
“I think Donald Trump has proven to be unbalanced and uniquely unqualified
to be president. I won’t support him… Everyone has to make their own
choice. I think Trump is despicable and will prove to be a disaster for the
party. I’d urge everyone to continue to oppose him.’”
*Fox News’ Steve Deace
<https://twitter.com/SteveDeaceShow/status/727600115876143105>*:
“Apparently @secupp has a #NeverTrump list to see who keeps their word to
the end. You can sign my name in blood.”

*Washington Examiner’s Phillip Klein
<https://twitter.com/philipaklein/status/727665419788627968>*: “I have
officially de-registered as a Republican.”

*Former RNC Chairman Mel Martinez
<http://www.wsj.com/articles/republican-divide-about-trump-grows-1456797124>*:
“I would not vote for Trump, clearly."
*Rep. Carlos Curbelo [R-FL]
<http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/03/24/republican-curbelo-open-to-voting-for-clinton/>*:
“I have already said I will not support Mr. Trump, that is not a political
decision that is a moral decision.’”

*Sen. Ben Sasse [R-NE]*
<https://www.facebook.com/sassefornebraska/posts/561073597391141>: “Mr.
Trump’s relentless focus is on dividing Americans, and on tearing down
rather than building back up this glorious nation. … I can’t support Donald
Trump.

*Jennifer Rubin
<http://www.cbsnews.com/news/face-the-nation-transcripts-may-8-2016-clinton/>*:
“But it is really fundamentally an issue of character. When people look at
Donald Trump and they see how he treats women, they see his views on
foreigners, they see his lack of personal self-control, his meanness. Just
this week he was back lying again.”
*Mac Stipanovich, former Chief of Staff to Gov. Bob Martinez
<http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/04/mac-stipanovich-open-letter-my-fellow-republicans/32600059/>*:
“On a personal level, Trump is a boor, a bully, a carnival barker and an
embarrassment. Politically, by intent or instinct, he is a neo-fascist… He
appeals to our fears, preys on our anxieties and exploits our ignorance. A
worse candidate to sit in the Oval Office for the next four years cannot be
imagined."

*Bill Kristol
<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2016-05-07/with-all-due-respect-05-06-16>*:
“You embrace the endorsement of a rapist in Mike Tyson, a man convicted of
raping a 17-year old girl, and you don’t express any, when it’s pointed out
to you, you don’t say, “Yeah, well that was horrible” […] On the day of the
Indiana primary, he spins this conspiracy story […] about Ted Cruz’ father
being complicit in the assassination of a president of the United States.
[…] You know, for me, the one thing, though […] —it was the mocking of the
disabled New York Times reporter, which is such a humanely grotesque thing
to do, and then he just lies and says “I didn’t do it.”

*Washington Post: ‘I feel like I got smacked by a 2x4’: Va. Republicans
react to
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/i-feel-like-i-got-smacked-by-a-2x4-va-republicans-react-to-trump-as-the-likely-nominee/2016/05/04/9a6cb932-11f5-11e6-93ae-50921721165d_story.html>Trump
as the likely nominee
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/i-feel-like-i-got-smacked-by-a-2x4-va-republicans-react-to-trump-as-the-likely-nominee/2016/05/04/9a6cb932-11f5-11e6-93ae-50921721165d_story.html>*:
With the departure of Ted Cruz from the presidential race Tuesday night,
many national Republican loyalists lamented the future of a party that
could field a nominee as polarizing as Donald Trump. But the news was
particularly jarring for Virginia Republicans fresh off two days of party
warfare at a state convention where Cruz came out on top.”

*Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2016/05/04/nevertrump-is-good-for-the-soul/>*:
"With every noxious movement, dangerous leader and misguided endeavor,
there are people who should know better but who cheer, enable or passively
accept horrible ideas. To those cheerleading Donald Trump: Be prepared to
shoulder a heavy burden, a soul-crushing weight for the next six months.

*New York Times: With Donald Trump in Charge, Republicans Have a Day of
Reckoning <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/us/politics/trump-gop.html>*:
“Over the last two days, more than 70 Republican governors, senators,
representatives, officials and donors were contacted directly or through
aides for comments about Mr. Trump. Only about 20 replied, with many aides
saying their bosses did not want to take a stand yet; others begged off by
saying the officials were traveling or “too busy” to email, call or release
a statement.”
*Texas Tribune: Bush 41, 43 Have No Plans to Endorse Trump
<https://www.texastribune.org/2016/05/04/bush-41-43-have-no-plans-endorse-trump/>*
: "For the first time since his own presidency, George H.W. Bush is
planning to stay silent in the race for the Oval Office — and the younger
former president Bush plans to stay silent as well. Bush 41, who
enthusiastically endorsed every Republican nominee for the last five
election cycles, will stay out of the campaign process this time. He does
not have plans to endorse presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump."

*Jennifer Rubin: Who wants to defend Trump for the next six months?
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2016/05/11/who-wants-to-defend-trump-for-the-next-six-months/>*:
“Donald Trump’s noxious behavior and erratic views force his supporters to
condone all sorts of unacceptable things. Even his own advisers find it
hard to excuse his conduct.”

*Conservative blogger Erick Erickson
<https://twitter.com/EWErickson/status/727638662926741506>*: “Reporters
writing about the "Stop Trump" effort get it wrong. It's ‘Never Trump’ as
in come hell or high water we will never vote for Trump”
*Townhall editor Guy Benson
<https://twitter.com/guypbenson/status/727636634318049280>*: “Much to my
deep chagrin (& astonishment ~8 months ago), for the 1st time in my life, I
will not support the GOP nominee for president.”

*Redstate contributor Leon Wolf
<http://www.redstate.com/leon_h_wolf/2016/03/18/will-never-vote-trump-loses-hillary-will-fault-mine/>*:
“I will never vote for Donald Trump. I will not vote for him in the general
election against Hillary, and I would not vote for him in a race for
dogcatcher. Heck, I would not even vote for him on a reality television
show.”

*Undersecretary of State under George W. Bush, Eliot Cohen
<https://twitter.com/cohen_eliot/status/702519828674953218>:* “I will
oppose Trump as nominee. Won't support & won't work for him for more
reasons than a Tweet can bear.”

*Rep. Louie Gohmert [R-TX]
<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-republican-nominee-transition-222785>*:
“Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert balked at backing Trump without an apology for
his rhetoric toward Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and warned that Trump could cost
Republicans a majority in Congress. “I had no fear of losing the House
until I saw this weekend the commercial against Sen. John Boozman in
Arkansas. They run quote after quote from Donald Trump’s mouth,” Gohmert
told Fox Business Network. “This is a dangerous time.””

*Bloomberg: Big-Spending Fracking Family Behind Cruz Won’t Back Trump
<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-05-05/big-spending-fracking-family-behind-cruz-won-t-back-trump>*:
“Add the conservative Wilks family of Texas, among the biggest spenders in
the presidential race so far, to the list of donors who won’t support
Donald Trump in the general election.*”*

*Alan Steinberg, former regional EPA administrator under George W. Bush
<http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Republicans-New-Jersey-Backlash-Donald-Trump-Presidential-Nominee-GOP-378159341.html?_osource=mobilesharebar>*:
“Said he’s actually voting for Hillary Clinton, with whom he worked when
she was U.S. senator for New York. “She can work with people on the
opposite side of the political aisle,” he said.”

*Loudon Times-Mirror [Virginia]: High-profile Virginia Republicans lining
up against Donald Trump
<http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/high_profile_virginia_republicans_lining_up_against_donald_trump432>*:
“Many long-time Virginia Republicans found themselves despondent Wednesday
after Donald Trump became the GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee.
“Twenty-nine years of Republican activism down the drain,” former state
Del. David Ramadan, a Dulles-area conservative, told the Times-Mirror. “I
feel like someone stuck a knife in me.””

*Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke
<http://www.thehawkeye.com/news/local/republicans-diverge-on-trump-as-nominee-question-conservative-values/article_d98998d7-3da7-5c5d-889b-caec400bd11d.html>*:
Steineke  “who has called Trump “a liberal and a liar,” hedged in his
opposition, but said Wednesday he does not currently support the
presumptive nominee.”

*Rep. Barbara Comstock [R-VA]
<https://twitter.com/scottwongDC/status/728590646982873088/photo/1>*:
“Comstock… listed several reasons why she felt the billionaire businessman
was not a good role model, including his derogatory remarks about women and
prisoners of war, and for not immediately disavowing the Ku Klux Klan.
 ‘All of these things are hugely problematic and don’t represent our
party,’ she said at that time. ‘I don’t think somebody should represent my
party who disrespects America’s veterans. We’re the party of Lincoln. We’re
the party of Reagan.’”

*Andy Card, former White House Chief of Staff under President George W.
Bush
<http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/278994-ex-bush-chief-of-staff-trump-scares-me>*:
“When he started to gain traction, I became a cynic. I wasn’t sure he could
make it. I was saying, ‘sane people will recognize this is not going to
happen.’ Well, it happened. He scared me.”

*Mitt Romney
<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/mitt-romney-donald-trump-222881>*:
Politico: “Add Mitt Romney to the list of Republicans who won’t support
Donald Trump as the presumptive party nominee… The former Massachusetts
governor said he is ‘dismayed at where we are now’ and wishes Americans had
‘better choices.’”

*Ward Baker, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial
Committee
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/07/us/politics/donald-trump-seeks-republican-unity-but-finds-rejection.html>:
*“In a new sign of the Republican Party’s reservations about Mr. Trump, the
top strategist in charge of defending Republican control of the Senate said
in a briefing for lobbyists and donors on Thursday that the party’s
candidates should feel free to skip the nominating convention in Cleveland
in July.”

*Lindsey Graham
<https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/728638472957755392>*:  “I do
not believe he is a reliable Republican conservative…do not believe he is a
reliable GOP conservative nor has he displayed the judgment and temperament
to serve as Commander in Chief.”

*Jeb Bush <https://www.facebook.com/jebbush/posts/876702172458827>*:
“Donald Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of
character. He has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is
not a consistent conservative. These are all reasons why I cannot support
his candidacy.”

*John Weaver, Chief Strategist for John Kasich
<http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/05/a_qa_with_john_weaver_chief_st.html>*:
On working for Trump: “Under no circumstances. I’m an American first. And I
don’t want to elaborate on that.” On whether Kasich would be Trump’s VP:
“Under no circumstances. … If you’re the kind of conservative who believes
that everyone matters, that this is about uniting … where does that fit
into what Donald Trump has said?”

*Ohio Auditor Dave Yost
<http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/05/06/what-ohio-republicans-are-saying-about-trump.html>*:
“an early resident of the never-Trump camp, took to Facebook to express his
disappointment, writing of the New Yorker’s ‘utter lack of principled
convictions.’”
###

For Immediate Release, May 12, 2016
Contact: [email-masked]

PAID FOR BY HILLARY FOR AMERICA
Contributions or gifts to Hillary for America are not tax deductible.
Hillary for America, PO Box 5256, New York

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