With about half of the delegates needed to win the Republican nomination up for grabs Tuesday, Donald Trump could amass a lead that would be difficult for any of his rivals to overcome. And, for some Republicans, this inevitability is too harrowing a reality.
"I am convinced that if Donald Trump becomes our nominee, the harm done to our party would be nothing short of catastrophic," writes Rep. E. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) in an open letter to Republicans in his state, which goes to the polls Tuesday.
"I reject Trump as our nominee based on his judgment, temperament, and character, all of which point to a reckless, embarrassing, and ultimately dangerous presidency," he says in the letter posted at Hot Air. "With great respect, I implore you, my fellow Republicans, to vote for Marco Rubio, or any candidate but Donald Trump."
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Rigell says he will not support Trump if he wins the nomination. "My love for our country eclipses my loyalty to our party."
Rigell isn't alone. An Associated Press poll found that just under half of Republican senators and governors responding would not commit to backing Trump as the nominee.
"I am increasingly concerned by Donald Trump's statements and behavior, and I have serious concerns about his ability to win the general election and provide presidential leadership," Indiana Sen. Dan Coats said in a statement to the Associated Press.
But Trump has gained Republican support, if not in outright endorsements, in pledges from Republicans who say they would support whoever becomes the nominee. In the mangled words of Abraham Lincoln, can a party divided against itself stand?
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