Trump Is Undermining the Entire Republican Party

Charlie Cook: “If any­thing that either Clin­ton or Trump says or does turns out to be a de­term­in­ing factor, Trump is more likely to play that role. Wheth­er one likes or dis­likes Hil­lary Clin­ton, or agrees or dis­agrees with her on is­sues, she is a tested and ex­per­i­enced can­did­ate and con­sidered a safe pair of hands.”

“Trump, by con­trast, is a gren­ade with the pin halfway out. The pos­sib­il­ity of a sud­den ex­plo­sion is nev­er far away, and this pro­spect gives sleep­less nights to Re­pub­lic­an elec­ted of­fi­cials and strategists. GOP poll­sters are prob­ably do­ing a land-of­fice busi­ness these days, sur­vey­ing states and dis­tricts to ad­vise their Re­pub­lic­an cli­ents ex­actly how they should po­s­i­tion them­selves—wheth­er they should stand close to Trump or dig a pro­tect­ive trench.”

First Read: “Remember when Trump advisers were suggesting that their candidate would back off or moderate his temporary Muslim ban? Well, there’s no backing off after yesterday’s speech. And it raises a series of questions for every Republican out there, including House GOP leaders… Do you support or oppose Trump’s speech? Do you support his temporary Muslim ban? Do you believe that the U.S. should suspend all immigration from places where there is a proven history of terrorism? And do you agree with Trump’s insinuation — from his remarks Monday morning — that President Obama is somehow complicit in the Orlando mass shooting?”