By Chris Edelson, contributor - 03-21-16 06:00 AM EDT
Republican elites are understandably anguished over Donald Trump. A demagogue who appeals to voters' fears, hesitates to disavow the Ku Klux Klan and seems to encourage violence at his political rallies is poised to win their party's nomination. Republican leaders have started to denounce Trump. Previous Republican nominee Mitt Romney said that Trump's failure to repudiate the Ku Klux Klan was "a disqualifying and disgusting response." Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), also running for president, charged that Trump's campaign "affirmatively encourages violence." As Mother Jones reported, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley "told Republicans in Florida that Donald Trump is promoting the kind of 'hate' that can lead to violence." Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), before he dropped out of the presidential race, similarly suggested that Trump is playing with fire by exploiting voters' anger and observed that "Every movement in human history that has been founded on [scapegoating] has been a dangerous and disastrous one for the country."
Logically, people who think these things about Trump that he is a dangerous bigot who exploits fear and resentment in a way reminiscent of authoritarian leaders and encourages violence as part of this campaign ought to reject him as a presidential candidate. And, indeed, the "Never Trump" effort organized by some Republicans suggests as much. But many leading Republicans who clearly see Trump as dangerous still hesitate to rule out supporting him as their party's candidate in the general election. While still a candidate, Rubio said he still intends to support the Republican nominee, whoever that is, though "it's getting harder every day." Haley confusingly says that, even though Trump is playing an extremely dangerous game, she doesn't see anything wrong with him. Speaker Paul Ryan (Wis.) is clearly concernedabout Trump's flirtation with violence, but Ryan says that he will support the eventual Republican nominee, whoever that is.
If these leaders can't bring themselves to reject Trump's candidacy, whom would they reject? Cruz says he wouldn't support Trump if the demagogic businessman actually shot someone on the street in New York City. Is that really the only deal breaker for Cruz? Are Cruz and other Republican leaders comfortable with supporting a would-be strongman as long as Trump stops short of actually committing violence himself?
In a typical election year, it would be perfectly reasonable for Republicans (or Democrats) to reflexively support their party's nominee. This is not a typical election year. As Republican leaders themselves acknowledge, Trump is a dangerous demagogue who has crossed the line by condoning or perhaps even encouraging violence by his supporters. It is unlikely that establishment Republicans can stop Trump from getting the party's nomination in fact, their criticisms may help him with Republican primary voters. The general election, however, is a different matter. If Republican leaders publicly disavow Trump, declaring their opposition to his candidacy, this would send a powerful message to independent voters and others that electing Trump would be dangerous for the country. A bipartisan rejection of Trump is essential, as his campaign raises concerns that go beyond party lines. Trump's campaign is, at its essence, not about policies. It is about power, and the possibility of electing someone to the White House who would bear a stronger resemblance to Russian President Vladimir Putin than to anyone else in the American political mainstream.
A few Republicans have, to their credit, publicly announced they will not support Trump's candidacy. Hopefully many more will follow. Vox's Ezra Klein has rightly observed that "Trump is the most dangerous major candidate for president in memory." It seems likely that Republican leaders understand that. The important question for the country will be whether they act on their convictions if Trump is indeed the Republican nominee. We will all owe them a debt of gratitude if they ultimately place country ahead of party.
Edelson is an assistant professor of government in American University's School of Public Affairs. His book, "Power Without Constraint: The Post 9/11 Presidency and National Security," will be published this spring by the University of Wisconsin Press.
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