First on CNN: Priebus probes state GOP leaders over anti-Trump push

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has been quietly having conversations with state party leaders to discuss the latest push by convention delegates to nominate anyone other than Donald Trump.

Priebus has spoken with GOP party chairmen in multiple states in recent days in part to get a better sense of how large the anti-Trump faction is among their convention delegations, according to two people familiar with the conversations.

While Priebus has made clear in these conversations that he is not spearheading the latest push for a coup, his involvement sends a signal that the RNC is taking this effort to dump Trump seriously even as other movements have fizzled.

One source said Priebus' ultimate goal is unclear. But some anti-Trump forces are hoping to garner enough support to press the convention's rules committee to alter the rules governing the convention and open a path for a different candidate.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/17/politics/reince-priebus-donald-trump-republican-convention/

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Pst, Reince: this is supposed to be a secret...

[denbot]

1. Huh.. I guess I do need to lay in a supply of popcorn.

This might get interesting..

[elljay]

5. I would say Prozac

Our presumptive nominee has not been polling very well against non-Trump candidates. Dumping Trump in favor of a candidate who has a good chance of winning is not a positive outcome for us.

[denbot]

7. Trump is proving to be such a horrible candidate I don't think there is anything to sweat.

He's done done enough damage to the GOP already. If they override their primary voters, they will lose a good portion of them for at least this election cycle.

The GOP is absolutely dependent on their base's full turnout during presidential elections. Even if the find the perfect out of nowhere candidate, Trump has already blown it with Hispanic, Black, and even a significant portion of independent women voters. They must know they're doomed next November.

I believe the GOP smart money will let Trump twist slowly in the wind, and instead try to protect the house.

[bucolic_frolic]

10. A third party run

in effect a 2nd Republican ticket

could deny HRC the 270 she needs

Then Paul Ryan's House decides the election

Peeling away a handful of purple states - NH PA VA OH

It's all about 270, nothing else

[brooklynite]

11. Too late to organize...

[bucolic_frolic]

12. You're right

I mean that's true, but in my mind that is not 100% true until
about Labor Day

and the drip, drip of the GOP attack machines don't stop until
Election Day

At least Democrats are taking this very seriously and are ready
for battle

That was not the case in 2000 or 2004

[Iliyah]

2. duhhh

[Night Watchman]

3. "Priebus probes"?

Ewwwwwwwwwww!

[woundedkarma]

4. I love it but it's probably going to destroy us all.

What happens when the hordes of idiots that support the GOP suddenly find that the GOP won't let them elect a racist piece of trash?

Well, realizing they won't get their way they'll start killing people probably. With trump at the head of the mob.

It'll hurt the GOP at the start but it could hurt us all.

(I like hyperbole)

[elljay]

6. That won't be a problem

Whomever replaces Trump is just as likely to be a racist piece of trash, just one who is a bit more discrete about it.

[denbot]

8. Yeah, but the curtains have been pulled back.

There is no more plausible denial for their raciest bullshit.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. "One source said Priebus' ultimate goal is unclear"

Priebus' goals are never clear to him, either.

[sarcasmo]

13. Lying Ted will be the nominee.

[QED]

14. I'm still betting on Ryan.

He's been less exposed in the primaries and he's been making ads showing him presidential. Maddow showed them and said the reason isn't clear but that they sure look like he's positioning himself to fill in if Trump is dumped.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/paul-ryan-shares-curiously-presidential-video-662166595942

[Old Vet]

15. Yup, My bets on Ryan also...........

I believe if Ryan ran someway, Hilary's worst nightmare...

[tabasco]

16. "We're making a list and checking it twice!"

"We want to make sure who's naughty or nice."

[font size=4]GESTAPO CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!!! [/font]

[Zorro]

17. Michael Bloomberg as a Trump alternative would make things very interesting

I think he despises Trump, and he's fiscally conservative but socially liberal.