Uh Oh. Turns out vulnerable Republican Senators like John McCain (AZ), Kelly Ayotte (NH), and Mark Kirk (IL) won't be accompanying their state's delegations to the Republican National Convention / Titanic Sailing because being at that fiasco might hurt them in their struggling efforts to hold on to their jobs. Bloomberg Politics:
At least four top Republican U.S. senators say they’ve decided to skip July’s party nominating convention in Cleveland to campaign in their home states. Several others say they haven’t decided whether they’ll make the trip, and at least one will boycott the event if Donald Trump emerges as the Republicans’ presidential pick.
This year’s convention is shaping up as perhaps the party’s most pivotal -- and contentious -- in a generation, but Senate Republicans appear increasingly nervous about it. Many in the party are agonizing over the possible elevation of Trump or a contested convention that awards the nomination to someone else, either of which risks damaging the party and handing Senate control to Democrats.
Interesting. But what's more telling is, The Hill reports that the chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee has told these Senators that they should stay home. That's an acknowledgement from the person whose job it is to get them re-elected that this convention is likely to be a disaster.
The chairman of the Senate Republican campaign arm is telling vulnerable colleagues in tough races to stay away from the GOP presidential convention this summer.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, warns that a fight between supporters of candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz at a contested convention in Cleveland is the last place vulnerable Republicans need to be.
“If there’s going to be a brouhaha, I’m advising candidates to be present for more unifying events,” Wicker told The Hill.
The Hill also reports that Rob Portman might be too "busy" to attend floor events at the Cleveland convention, and Ohio is his home state. Aren't you supposed to kind of host this thing, Rob? Not when your guests are bringing anti-immigrant rhetoric potato salad and glossy-eyed theocracy sandwiches. Better to be a no-show. At your party's convention being held in your home state.
