Fake Republican and Senior editor for the Atlantic David Frum shared a dire warning for the Republican Party with Andrea Mitchell on Friday. “[Donald Trump] went to the Republican National Committee to deliver a pretty clear threat, If I'm denied this nomination, I will burn this party down,” Frum claimed, trying to fear monger the party into nominating Trump.
He eagerly went down the list of how Trump could stick it to the party if someone other than him got the nomination. Frum predicted that Trump would buy his way on to a smaller party’s ticket, like the Constitution Party. “They'd be very happy to have this check, they’ve got ballot lines in every state. Run with them. And just commit havoc on the Republican brand.” A scenario that serves to help Hillary win in November.
Mitchell tried to point out that the rules of the party are clear that if a candidate does not get 1237 delegates the process goes to an open convention. The host pointed out that Trump is “arguing that the rules aren't the rules” and he is basically “working the ref” to get his way.
Frum retorted with a ridiculous analysis of how a general election would shake out for the Republican Party in either scenario. “And the choice of the Republican Party may be heading toward is nominate Donald Trump and lose badly. Or don't nominate Donald Trump and see the whole election process ripped to pieces with a potential loss of the House and Senate as well as the presidency.”
At this point in the election it’s impossible to tell how things are going to shake out. Especially when there are other pundits that have Frum’s predictions reversed, having Republicans losing the House and Senate with a Trump nomination.
Transcript below:
MSNBC
Andrea Mitchell Reports
April 1, 2016
12:27:01 – 12:28:43 PM EasternDAVID FRUM: Donald Trump has presented a package of himself as a risky choice and he's responding to it this week by escalating the risk. That he went to the Republican National Committee to deliver a pretty clear threat, “If I'm denied this nomination, I will burn this party down.”
ANDREA MITCHELL: And that's your reporting? That is what you've heard has come from that?
FRUM: That’s what they—It au wha—It’s not-- You don't have to report it because he said it in public. When he withdrew his pledge 48 hours before going to go see the Republican National Committee, his pledge to support the winner. What he was saying is, “if I'm not the winner, I'm going to be a third fact in this electorate—in this election.”
And I will—And there's a lot of ways he could do that. He could be a celebrity guest star on television. Or he could get the ballot line in one of the smaller parties, the Constitution Party for example. They'd be very happy to have this check, they’ve got ballot lines in every state. Run with them. And just commit havoc on the Republican brand.
MITCHELL: What does the Republican Party do? Because he’s already saying “well if I have more delegates, even if I don't hit the magic number.” Well those aren't the rules. And he's trying to, as Chuck Todd was saying earlier, “work the ref,” arguing that the rules aren't the rules. That whoever has the most delegates going in should automatically have it, despite what happens on the first ballot.
FRUM: It's not about working the ref. It’s a matter of presenting people with a threat that “I will not go quietly.” You will not see the back of me. If I don't get my way. And the choice of the Republican Party may be heading toward is nominate Donald Trump and lose badly. Or don't nominate Donald Trump and see the whole election process ripped to pieces with a potential loss of the House and Senate as well as the presidency.
