The beginning of the 2016 presidential cycle introduced a gamut of Republican candidates that, over time, trickled out with the emergence of Donald J. Trump, a candidate appearing as a centrifugal force dividing the GOP.
Questions about whether the Republican Party could replace its pick a month before Election Day have plagued the political world after a leaked recording revealing Trump speaking in a lewd manner about women emerged on Friday.
Since part of the 2005 recording surfaced, over 35 Republicans have publicly called for Trump to drop out, bringing the number of Republican leaders that oppose Trump to over 150.
The public denunciations have originated from Trump supporters themselves, those opposing, and those offering justifications to his behavior. The rolling number of backlash has prompted many people to suggest replacing the nominee entirely.
On Saturday, House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that Trump would no longer campaign with him in the Wisconsin congressional district.
“Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests,” said Ryan in a statement.
The censures enabled a domino effect of condemnations and criticisms from Democrats and Republicans alike, with a consensus in mind— withdrawing Trump.
However, the Republican Party’s rules state that: “the Republican National Committee is hereby authorized and empowered to fill any and all vacancies which may occur by reason of death, declination, or otherwise of the Republican candidate for president of the United States.”
While the ambiguity of the word “otherwise” has prompted some to believe that there could be flexibility in replacing Trump, the only assured situation would be that of Trump dropping out of the race. If that was the case, the committee would have to determine an eligible candidate and host a vote with the nominee securing at least 1,237 delegates.
In the case of the Republican National Committee wanting to dissociate themselves from the Trump ticket, they would have to try changing their rules and would have to come up with a new way to find an alternative.
The tape featuring Trump’s vulgar remarks have, until recently, been the greatest catalyst drawing people away from the nominee. Defiantly, Trump has ensured his supporters that the emergence of the video remains a “distraction,” insisting that he will not step down.
Republican senators, congressional representatives, and governors have announced their withdrawal of support for Trump. Prominent Republican women (i.e. former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte, and West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito, etc.) have retracted their support, ensuring the public that Trump is not a proper representation of the Republican Party.
Yet many Republicans, albeit disgusted by his remarks, continue to show their support in preference over Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.
Amidst speculations about the GOP appearing polarized, Trump’s statements have only continued to cause friction within the party itself as Republican leaders withdraw their support.
The Republican party is undergoing turmoil, divided by its pick— all of this and only 29 days until Election Day.
