GOP convention no-shows threaten to undercut Trump unity push

[WhiteTara]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/30/gop-convention-no-shows-threaten-to-undercut-trump-unity-push.html

Even as Donald Trump and Republican Party bosses diligently work Capitol Hill in hopes of bringing the party together after a fractious presidential primary, convention planners could still be looking at a block of empty seats for the July convention.

A growing roster of senior GOP figures – from governors to senators to, most notably, nearly every living GOP presidential nominee – is vowing to skip the convention in Cleveland, despite the candidate starting to win over the rank-and-file.

In an unconventional election season where Trump has capitalized on an anti-establishment fervor, the case can be made that Trump does not need the blessing of party elders, or their attendance.

“Trump is a master entertainer and more than likely going to put together a convention program that attempts to highlight his strengths and sideline some of the major absences,” Republican strategist Ron Bonjean told FoxNews.com.

Still, since wrapping up the nomination, Trump and his surrogates have been regularly meeting with Hill Republicans, showing at least an effort to pursue party unity – a message that high-profile absences in Cleveland could undercut.

[PJMcK]

1. An opinion i heard from a Republican relative

My cousin is a die-hard Republican and lives in Kansas. He's expressed his opinion that Governor Brownback is brilliant and that the difficulties that Kansas is experiencing will dissipate once the Governor's economic policies kick in. There's the point of view he offers. The problems that the people of Kansas are experiencing, in his opinion, aren't his problem. They shouldn't have allowed themselves to get into their difficulties.

He told me that it doesn't matter that the traditional establishment Republicans aren't supporting Donald Trump. He is convinced that the under-class (his expression) will rise up on Election Day to devastate whomever the Democratic Party nominates.

We live in interesting times. As I've posted frequently, we all need to vote the straight Democratic ticket.

Please.

[tanyev]

2. Just how long does he think it will take for those "brilliant" policies to kick in?

He's been governor for 5 1/2 years now.

[PJMcK]

5. What will happen to Kansas?

You're correct, tanyev, that Governor Brownback's policies have already proven to be failures. Isn't it odd and tragic that Republicans ignore the facts in front of them? As with the trickle-down theory, the policies don't work as advertised; they only work for the .01% for whom they were enacted. My cousin, who is a good friend except for his insane politics, doesn't see the reality staring his state in the face. I gave up on substantive political conversations with him years ago.

So what will happen to Kansas? The education system is nearly destroyed. The state's economy is a shambles. The cultural aspects of the state have been gutted. How will they rebuild the state?

[KamaAina]

7. All the better for the Kochs to buy it up at fire-sale prices.

[Wounded Bear]

13. It'll happen for sure...

right after Obama comes and gets their guns.

[Skittles]

3. your cousin sounds like an asshole

[PJMcK]

4. His politics are pretty horrible

Actually, he's a pretty nice man other than his stupidity about politics. We've maintained our friendship since childhood and have agreed to keep our discussions polite in the interest of family calm.

[kentauros]

6. "They shouldn't have allowed themselves to get into their difficulties."

I'll be curious to know how he reacts when Brownback shuts down the public schools. I mean, all of those school administrators and teachers shouldn't allow that to happen, right?

I do hope, too, that when the school system is shut down, that the light comes back on inside of the parents' minds and they realize their governor not only isn't helping them, but is making being a parent in Kansas even harder.

[paulkienitz]

8. I can top that, sort of

The one Trump voter I know is a hardcore progressive who I've sometimes bumped into at antiwar marches. He's convinced himself that Trump is the peace candidate. Today he came up with a slogan-sized way to express his view, which he's putting up on a homemade sign: Hillary the Hawk, Donald the Dove. I can't deny that this is, uh, some breathtakingly original thinking.

[UTUSN]

9. At their previous conventions the name for today's "no-shows" have been: the Hidden-Aways"

That is, their conventions have featured only their least horrible faces while keeping their most blatantly racist and nutcase faces far away and out of the convention cameras - not to mention putting the entertainment of minorities singing and dancing on the stage while the entire floor is all their company of Whites.

This time, the no-shows might make a claim to the teeniest bit of integrity.

[keithbvadu2]

10. "while the entire floor is all their company of Whites. "

"while the entire floor is all their company of Whites. "

You must be joshing.

Don't forget that blacks love Trump according to Trump

He even pointed out "my African-American over here ..."

[UTUSN]

11. Haha, you remind me of Cris ROCK on Comedy Central in '08(?)

"Here I am, the *ONLY* Black (in the room)"...

Don't forget your "Sarcasm" smilie!1

[keithbvadu2]

12. "nearly every living GOP presidential nominee"

Trump had to sign a statement that he would support the eventual nominee.

Didn't the others this year have to sign it also?

Don't they have the integrity to do so?

Did Jeb sign it?