If you’re a Republican intending to take part in your party’s presidential nominating convention, you are facing at least two seriously grim options.
The Dump/Never/Anyone But Trump movement has resurfaced — more or less — in the wake of presumptive presidential nominee Donald J. Trump’s latest volley of outrageous rhetoric.
It goes like this: Convention delegates might be given a chance to opt out of voting for the candidate to whom they are pledged. Thus, the belief lingers that enough of Trump’s delegates might decide to abstain on the first ballot and then free themselves to vote for someone else on a subsequent round of balloting.
All hell would break loose.
This bodes poorly for the GOP as it prepares to face the Democratic nominee, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
So does the alternative, which is to nominate Trump.
Why the grim outlook?
Option No. 1: Nominate Trump and let him go down in flames.
Trump’s campaign is in a state of disarray. He made an empty pledge to become “more presidential,” only to revert to his insults, name-calling and innuendo. The Orlando massacre brought out the latest from Trump, when he boasted about “being right” about the threat of Islamic terrorism — while the nation was mourning the loss of 49 lives in that nightclub.
He is likely to continue railing, ranting and raving. He suggested the president of the United States might have some nefarious motive in refusing to identify the threat as coming from “radical Islamic terrorists.”
Trump’s hideous innuendo has managed to anger many within his party. Some key officeholders have pulled their endorsements. House Speaker Paul Ryan has told members of Congress they are welcome to “vote their conscience.”
Some of then actually might let their conscience support someone else, which might also carry over to their constituents out here in Voterland.
Option No. 2: Let the delegates pick someone else.
This is highly unlikely to happen. The reason might be the reality that Trump won more delegates than anyone else, by a mile, during the primary season. He collected a record number of GOP-primary votes. He won 38 states fairly and squarely.
To deny him the nomination after he won the war of attrition against 16 primary foes would be seen as a serious slap against those who voted for him.
If the delegates mount their coup and deny Trump his nomination, well, then you’re talking about a serious revolt occurring with the Republican Party.
The first option look bad for Republicans, given the nature of Trump’s temperament.
The second option looks even worse, given the reaction that would occur from those who have backed him to the hilt.
Good luck, GOP convention delegates. You’ll need it.