Anti-Trump GOP Delegates Push For RNC Rule Change, Want ‘Conscience Clause’ Added To Block Trump Nomination
A group of anti-Trump delegates from the Republican Party are allegedly attempting to block Donald Trump’s nomination at the RNC with a “conscience clause” that would give delegates the ability to vote against the wishes of the electorate when the vote goes against the delegates’ “conscience.” The addition of the clause could block a Trump nomination at the convention, but how likely is the RNC to change the rules this close to the vote?
The Daily Mail reports that a select group of “anyone but Trump” delegates are hoping that a “conscience clause” will be added to the RNC rules before a vote takes place. This clause would allow delegates to vote against the electorate if the vote would weigh heavily on their conscience. In other words, some delegates are so opposed to Trump representing the Republican Party in the presidential race that they are willing to throw their entire electorate under the bus due to the burden it would place on their mental state.
Dozens of GOP delegates pushing to pass ‘conscience clause’ to free up votes at convention – Washington Post https://t.co/OgUQBR53Fj
— Breaking Politics (@breakingpol) June 17, 2016
Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh is reportedly leading the group claiming that she should be allowed to vote with her conscience and not be bound by the electorate. Unruh says that her coalition includes Cruz, Rubio, and Kasich supporters who are all banding together under the premise that “anybody but Trump” should represent the Republican Party come the general election.
“This is a coalition of Kasich, Cruz and Rubio (supporters) and we are all agreeing on one goal, which is: Anybody but Trump. Nobody has any idea who is going to step in and be the nominee. But we’re not worried about that. We’re just doing that job to make sure that he’s not the face of our party.”
In an interview with the Washington Post, Unruh makes it appear as if there is a unified effort in the Republican party to come up with a plan to stop Trump before the RNC vote takes place. House Speaker Paul Ryan also seemed to indicate that a “conscience clause” isn’t completely off the table. Ryan said that “the last thing I would do is tell anybody to do something that’s contrary to their conscience.”
#NeverTrump Seeks ‘Conscience Clause’ RNC Rule Change https://t.co/epvm2rDjUl via @BreitbartNews Romney & Ryan working dirt with RNC Rules
— London Errol (@ukloner) June 19, 2016
However, Trump says that the conscience clause is not possible and that “there is no mechanism” for that to happen before the convention.
“People that I defeated soundly in the primaries will do anything to get a second shot — but there is no mechanism for it to happen.”
Donald Trump went on to point out that he has received such resounding support from the electorate that “it would be totally illegal” not to listen to the millions of voices supporting him.
“I won almost 14 million votes, which is by far more votes than any candidate in the history of the Republican primaries. I have tremendous support and get the biggest crowds by far and any such move would not only be totally illegal but also a rebuke of the millions of people who feel so strongly about what I am saying.”
Many Republicans seem to agree that the clause will likely not be added and that Trump is the presumptive winner. Some Republican delegates have gone so far as to say there is no anti-Trump movement that has any momentum and that Trump has earned the nomination fair and square.
Do you think that GOP delegates would risk going against the electorate to stop Trump from receiving the Republican nomination? Could the controversial clause be on the table as a last-ditch effort by anti-Trump Republicans to squash his nomination?
[Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images]
