Count eventual Trump supporter Senator Mark Kirk as the latest vulnerable Republican to say he’ll skip the Republican National Convention in a futile and meaningless effort to distance himself from a chaotic and divisive convention and the GOP’s two likeliest nominees, misogynist xenophobes Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Kirk, for his part, has been insistent that he “certainly would” support Trump as the Republican nominee. Skipping the convention isn’t enough to mitigate that endorsement-waiting-to-happen.
Here’s who else plans to skip the convention, laughably hoping that geographic distance will be enough to disassociate themselves from Trump — despite the fact that they’ve had high praise for the front-runner and his divisive, hate-fueled candidacy:
- Senator Chuck Grassley, whose transparent excuse is that he may not be able to find a hotel or motel room for a single night. But Grassley can’t distance himself from Trump now: he campaigned alongside Trump back in January, quipping, “We have an opportunity once again to make America great again.”
- Senator John McCain, who plans to skip his first RNC in over 30 years because he’s afraid of being associated with Donald Trump. Too late: “Yep. Yep,” and “Oh yeah. Oh yeah“; McCain has on multiple occasions said he’ll support Trump as the GOP nominee. One more: “Hello? I said: I support. The. Nominee.”
- Senator Kelly Ayotte, who’s taking heat from Granite Staters over her Supreme Court obstructionism, says it’s “unlikely” she’ll show up, though she has confirmed she will “support our Republican nominee” — even if it’s Donald Trump.
- Senator Richard Burr says he’s “more valuable outside of Cleveland than inside of Cleveland” — a dubious proposition, as he’ll be needed to help hold the party together in the event of a divisive contested convention. Of the GOP front-runner, Burr’s said: “Donald Trump has done a tremendous job,” and that he’s “brought a level of passion to running for office that I’m delighted to see.” More from Burr: “I’ve always said I was going to support the nominee.”
- Senator Rob Portman — well, sort of. Portman says he will support Trump as the GOP nominee, but he’ll nonetheless be spending “like, very little” time at the convention, despite the fact that its in his home-state. Portman says he’ll support the GOP nominee and do well “regardless of who’s on the top of the ticket” — even if it’s Trump.
- Who knows who else? The list of convention-skippers is sure to grow as NRSC Chair Roger Wicker is actively urging vulnerable senators to keep their distance.
Published: Apr 22, 2016