Republicans seek 'conscience convention' as unease over Trump grows
Republicans who staunchly oppose Donald Trump are scrambling to find a way to upset the presumptive nominee at the Republican National Convention. But because Trump has enough delegates to clinch the nomination, his opponents would have to push for a rule change to be approved the majority of the GOP Rules Committee as well as the delegates on the floor.
Still, one option, sponsored by Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh, is to introduce a "conscience clause" that would allow delegates to unbind themselves based on "personal or religious conscience." "All I'm doing is adapting to the circumstances. I certainly believe Trump's demagogic racist comments are hurting him," she told ABC News.
Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, who has thus far failed to find an independent candidate to challenge Trump, agreed that a "conscience convention" is a good method for settling the nomination:
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But rules expert Jim Bopp, an Indiana delegate, said it isn't likely a rule change will actually be pushed through. "I would put money on no rules changes that would affect the outcome of the nominating process. I think it's highly likely that no rules changes would be adopted that would affect the nomination," Bopp told CNN.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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