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U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, a Kenilworth Republican, took to CNN Wednesday to say he wouldn’t support Trump in the general election.

His beefs, which are perhaps the loudest among top Illinois Republicans, are with Trump’s comments about Muslims, women and Sen. John McCain’s military service.

“I think Donald Trump has disqualified himself,” Dold said.

Dold has not endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Gov. John Kasich or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the meantime.

Dold isn’t the only one being pressured about Trump.

* Press release…

Earlier today, Mitt Romney disavowed Donald Trump, calling on Republicans to rally around anyone but the GOP front-runner. U.S. Senate candidate Andrea Zopp, in response to Trump’s surge to front-runner status, released the following statement:

“Donald Trump has proven himself to be a racist demagogue who has drawn support by manipulating our worst emotions. His campaign has been driven solely by hatred and fear.”

“Illinois voters, particularly African-Americans and Latinos, have seen their needs ignored and dismissed. We cannot afford to see them assaulted full-on by a Donald Trump candidacy.”

“Senator Kirk must make clear his views on Trump’s brand of Republicanism before Illinois goes to the polls on March 15th.”

“My father fought in World War II - a war in which America fought against a leader who won an election with race baiting, extreme nationalism, and vitriol. Trump is a similar kind of dangerous leader and Senator Kirk needs to let the people know what side of history he will be on.”

I would assume that the governor will be asked the same question soon enough.

* The Question: Your thoughts about what Rauner and Kirk should say about this topic?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:44 pm

Comments

I’d like for Rauner to respond by announcing his own write-in bid for President, which he is launching immediately and thus will be stepping down as Governor. Kirk would then, presumably, endorse Rauner on the spot.

I mean, how bad could a Governor Sanguinetti be after this guy?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:52 pm
Unfortunately, I don’t think having quote-unquote Establishment politicians say they will not support Trump will have any impact on his supporters. There are a couple of good articles out there, in the Atlantic and Rolling Stone (long) that do a good job of outlining his appeal and to whom he appeals. If I had to guess how those two men will weigh in, Kirk will probably denounce Trump, and Rauner will likely try to avoid saying what he will do.

Comment by nonn Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:53 pm
It’s obvious that Rauner should denounce Trump. If the super-rich don’t believe in “The Donald”. The rest of the country may follow. Unfortunately, Rauner rarely does the right thing.

Comment by Omega Man Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:54 pm
Say nothing.

Comment by Saluki Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:55 pm
How do you know Kirk already hasn’t expressed his disdain for Trump? His comments the other day on radio are not encouraging if you thought he would support party nominee.

Now this: https://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/chuck-todd-drops-a-bombshell-at-least-one-gop-senator-plans-to-endorse-hillary-if-trump-wins/

Comment by Craig McDermott Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Rauner and Kirk should both say they oppose Trump and endorse the challenger currently in 2nd whoever that is.

Not that I think it will make much difference…

And somewhat related, Adam Kinzinger today accused Trump of ordering war crimes with his foreign policy speeches yet won’t commit to voting against him even if he’s the nominee? Just another illustration of how trapped these guys are.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/christophermassie/republican-combat-vet-trump-is-openly-advocating-war-crimes?utm_term=.guJMZbwY2G#.jqMeV8pG0q

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:57 pm
“I mean, how bad could a Governor Sanguinetti be after this guy?” Don’t even get me started on this possibility. Willy and I, and many others, would have a great time with this.

Comment by illini Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Both should denounce Trump. If they don’t, that will say something about each of them.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Yikes.

Kirk now has to disavow the non-hearing for a Obama SCOTUS appointee, now what to do with Trump?

Both need to consider how Trump does here in Illinois, then after March 15th make clear their Trump positions, and frame them within the controversies, not the partisan had wringing.

Since I’m very anti-Trump, at any or all measurable levels, that’s the best I can do without sounding Romney-like, which probably only strengthened Trump nationally.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 2:58 pm
“Your thoughts about what Rauner and Kirk should say about this topic?”

Honestly, I don’t know Donald Trump. I don’t believe I’ve ever met him. I’m pretty sure I didn’t meet him. And I just don’t know anything about him.

They should later blame their responses on a “bad earpiece”.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Let the Voters choose.

Comment by Downstate Hack Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Governor Slip and Sue?

“Thanks Trump!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:02 pm
Speaker Madigan and the Donald Trump’s he controls…

Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:04 pm
The people who like Trunp don’t seem to care what anyone else says, they seem buoyed by normal politicians saying they don’t support him.
Kirk is trying to win an election in a mixed community so he’ll say anything. Which probably means he doesn’t approve of Trump.
Rauner only cares about Rauner…right?

Comment by Belle Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:05 pm
MrJM for the win!

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Stick to the question, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:10 pm
I will support the nominee

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:14 pm
So she really compared Trump to Hitler? I know it’s campaign season but that seems a little harsh. Seems like it will just add fuel to the rocket he’s riding right now…

Comment by Ice cream man Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Trump is not a racist. Dems and the GOP are lost and Trump is changing the political game. Please do not talk race! Talk about job lost and how to fix the economy, no more wars and America being great again. Trump just speaks the truth and says what we all want to say. That being said I’m not voting for him.

Comment by Down State Paul Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:15 pm
===and says what we all want to say===

Speak for yourself, pally boy.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Kirk and Rauner need to gather the heads of the Cruz, Rubio, and Kasich campaigns in Illinois together and tell them to have one carry the anti-Trump flag in Illinois and for the others to suspend their Illinois campaigns. That should happen immediately.

Then there should be a joint announcement that Trump is unacceptable to Illinois Republicans and must be stopped. So vote for X. (whichever was picked.)

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:20 pm
===and says what we all want to say===

He doesn’t speak for me, at all, and I’m a Republican.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:22 pm
Kirk will turn away from Trump but Rauner will just not say anything. Why do candidates or elected officials have to “disavow” another candidate or official? Kirk and Rauner didn’t recruit Trump and aren’t active in his campaign. There’s only so much a junior Senator from a purple/blue state can do.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Rauner and Kirk should say who they support for President without denouncing Trump.

Dold is what they used to call a “Liberal Republican. For amnesty, supports abortion, does not want ACA/Obamacare repealed, and favors more rigorous gun control restrictions. Works with the GOP establishment. S no surprise he is against Trump

Comment by Federalist Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:25 pm
Rauner about Trump:
“I cut out the immigrant line item. Now immigrant rights organizations are weaker than before.”

Comment by Bleh Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Hillary vs Trump. Gotta go with Trump.

Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:32 pm
If I’m Rauner, I point to my successes in Illinois as to why the USA needs Trump.
“Like me, he’s a businessman. And he can do for the US as I’ve been able to do in Illinois.”

Comment by LostNFound Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:33 pm
Rauner should say, “If you haven’t learned anything else from my time as Governor, you should know not to trust arrogant billionaires with vague plans and promises to upend the political order.”

Comment by Quizzical Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Gideon’s Law proved in a news release by a US Senate candidate? Wow.

Trump is a racist, but based on the outcome of races and the outlook, either a great deal of Republican primary voters are racist too or they don’t find it terribly troubling.

I’d say it is a “should have” for the GOP, not a “must have.”

What advice would I give Rauner and Kirk? Doesn’t matter. They don’t listen anyway.

It is a fair wager that Trump will get a plurality of the delegates, beyond that a safe bet he will get the nomination, and from there a sure thing that Rauner, Kirk and Dold will end up supporting him in November.

Every Republican should work backward from that position.

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Gov Rauner and Sen Kirk should remind the voters that Donald Trump’s style of campaigning is more free style than that of his prepared opponents in both parties and often is interpreted by his opposition to mean something other than what was actually said.
Gov Rauner and Sen Kirk should also remind voters in both parties that their establishment politicians have all ignored the middle and lower private sector wage earners, and their outright lies and half-truths are more numerous.
Finally, Gov Rauner and Sen Kirk should remind the voters that we live in a democratic republic, and they will support their party’s candidate.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:45 pm
–Why do candidates or elected officials have to “disavow” another candidate or official?–

“I am the leader of the Republican Party in Illinois,” Rauner said.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:49 pm
If you don’t answer the question, your comment will be deleted.

Last and final warning.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Wow, that got deleted quick, but after I “said it”, I realized that I was off topic. (and maybe a little hardcore anti-Trump).
Anyway, I think Zopp called out Kirk; if he answers against Trump, he will probably lose the primary. On the other hand, if he supports Trump, he will lose the general. What he should do is the right thing: Disavow Trump and his historical-based campaign to be the fuh…..

Rauner probably would not want to be vice-president, he’s having too much fun doing the same thing in Illinois that Trump will do to the nation. That said, there is nothing to be gained either way, so he won’t say anything…

Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:52 pm
===tell them to have one carry the anti-Trump flag in Illinois===

Internal polling related to me reveals that most folks pick Trump as their second choice. Getting people out probably only increases Trump’s share of the vote.

Anyway, carry on.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Rauner and Kirk should say who they support not who they don’t support. Having said that I doubt that many voters will be swayed by the opinions of Rauner or Kirk. This is not the year when the voters listen to the people in power of the Republican or Democratic parties.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 3:58 pm
At this point, if Rauner isn’t talking about making concrete plans to meet with madigan and cullerton and passing a budget, I really don’t care what he thinks

Comment by Ferris Wheel Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:00 pm
You can get on the “Trump Train” or you can get run over by it. Either way he is going to be your next president so you might as well get used to it.

To curry favor, he should endorse Trump right after the voting closes 3/15.

Comment by BIG R. Ph. Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Kirk and Rauner should state their positions on the Presidential race before our 3/15 primary.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Kirk would be wise to denounce Trump — his is a general election not a primary. He needs D votes in this state and that’s not the Trump grouping (regardless of anyone on this blog).

Rauner should just deflect. They’re both billionaires, trashing Trump would only fly back in his face and siding with Trump would be worse. Just say nothing.

Comment by Not quite a majority Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:04 pm
I don’t see Kirk rejecting Trump until after March 15th. If anything, he’ll probably say he’s focused on his primary campaign, not Trump’s. Rauner will denounce Trump’s insulting barbs against minorities, but I don’t think he’ll reject him outright. I don’t agree either man must emphatically reject him at this time. Let the process play out.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Let the people of Illinois decide on March 15. Stand with the people, you cant go wrong.

Comment by old pol Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Louis - my hope would be that Kirk would get behind Kasich or Rubio and not look wishy-washy. Who knows? That might help. There is no way that James Marter comes within 15 points, so why not?!

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:09 pm
I don’t think endorsements mean much at all, so I don’t think that Rauner or anyone else can drive votes by endorsing any candidate.

That said, Zopp got it right, and it’d be nice to see Rauner sign onto that statement.

Comment by Odysseus Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:13 pm
The GOP asked Trump to agree to support the eventual GOP nominee. He agreed, ask Reince Priebus. Soo, it looks like the double cross if Rauner, Kirk refuse to endorse Trump, if he wins the required delegates to secure the nomination.Why am I not surprised? For now, they should be bold and tell us who they endorse. (Snark off)

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:13 pm
I think general election voters will remember whether or not Kirk denounces Trump - mostly because Tammy Duckworth will bludgeon him if needed. Not Quite is spot on.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:14 pm
====Your thoughts about what Rauner and Kirk should say about this topic?

Kirk should wait until March 16th, and then just unload on Trump. He’s in a tough spot with a good opponent and a potentially disastrous head of the ticket. The best strategy would be to get in front of it and denounce Trump and say he’ll write in John McCain. Getting attention and credit for getting out ahead of it is his best strategy.

If I were advising him, I’d probably recommend something ’safer,’ but I think this is his best move.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:19 pm
Thanks for the internal poll information. I have trouble imagining a Kasich or Rubio supporter having Trump as a second choice. But this year is so strange, I can easily be wrong.

Illinois is a winner take all primary for the statewide delegates. Would hate to see Trump win with 35 percent of the vote.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:20 pm
Rauner: This shows the anger of the American public and they are right to be angry. I disagree with Trump, but this is why I have prioritized the Turnaround Agenda to address those issues he has brought up, but which his policies are horrible.

It gives him a way to turn back to his issues, reject Trump, and appear somewhat reasonable.

===Internal polling related to me reveals that most folks pick Trump as their second choice. Getting people out probably only increases Trump’s share of the vote.===

Of the few national polls measuring this, this is also true. Cruz drops out, more support to Trump than anyone else. Rubio drops out, more support to Trump than anyone else. Not sure about Kasich, but he’s lower in the rankings. Carson’s support might go even to Cruz and Trump, but again, not a ton. It’s too late to stop him.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:23 pm
===. I have trouble imagining a Kasich or Rubio supporter having Trump as a second choice.

Average voters aren’t that ideological or at least consistent.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:24 pm
Both should pull a Ralph Kramden:

“Hamanah hamanah hamanah.”

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:37 pm
Say nothing for now.

The Trump phenomenon is so remarkable that no one can honestly explain what is driving the Trump train at this moment in time. It is crazy. So, to the Governor and the Senator, I would encourage saying nothing negative about Trump. If you want to endorse a candidate like Rubio, go ahead. Just say nothing negative about Trump. After all, a lot of Republicans and Blue-collar Democrats love the guy. Thus, since no one can fully explain the Trump movement, don’t go acussing Trump of racism, sexism, etc. If you go making accusations like that without understanding his supporters, you will create additional enemies at a time when both of you are lacking and needing friends.

Comment by Cuban Pilot Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:40 pm
They should take the lead of several celebrities and say “If Trump wins, I’m leaving the country!”

Seriously, ArchPundit’s advice seems about right for both. A calculated deflection.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:45 pm
Kirk should immediately denounce Trump and wrap his arms around either Rubio or Kasich, who are the most palatable republicans for the independent voters Kirk will need in the general election.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:49 pm
Kirk will disavow Trump…like Trump disavowed David Duke. But not until after the primary.
Rauner will show what a man of all the people he is by staying out of it…’let the voters decide.’
Is that what they should do? No. That would be intellectually dishonest.
But it’s what they will do.

Comment by Independent retired lawyer, journalist Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 4:57 pm
Right now Rauner, at least, should duck the question and wait to see who the nominee finally is. No need to commit right now. Coming out in favor of Trump would just remind people of how much Rauner could be compared to Trump which may not play all that well in Illinois.

Personally, I’m not fond of any of the remaining GOP presidential candidates but, like -blue dog dem-, I view Trump as the leser of two evils in a matchup with Hillary.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 5:02 pm
Quite honestly, Rauner and Kirk shouldn’t have waited to be pressured to speak up. It can’t be that hard to find some words.

I pretty much respect only the people who have have spoken up about Trump before now.

Comment by South Central Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 5:14 pm
Avoid the topic like the plague for now. They both have enough other problems right now, and this wouldn’t especially help them. After the Primary, and when it’s clear that Trump won’t be stopped, then take a negative position on him. That will reflect the leaning of Illinois.

Comment by walker Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 5:20 pm
Rauner and Kirk should avoid saying anything negative about Trump. It seems when the negatives are levied at Trump his ratings go up. The negatives only seem to help Trump.

I wonder if Trump were elected, if Washington, D.C. would suffer the same fate as Springfield, Illinois. No budget, cutting of services and nothing being accomplished?

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 5:34 pm
Both should disavow Trump unconditionally, same as Trump ought to have done with Duke. This is not something that ought to require a focus group. Some things transcend traditional politics, and denouncing a guy blanketing himself in white nationalism ought to be one of them.

Comment by T.J. Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 5:51 pm
Hey Rich,

Kirk actually did have some choice words for Trump back in July. Some of them in Spanish.

http://www.riverbender.com/news/details/kirks-opinion-on-trump-campaign-181782.cfm

And BuzzFeed picked it up at the time: http://www.buzzfeed.com/meganapper/republican-senator-mark-kirk-to-donald-trump-shut-up#.lg2jPOzYl

Comment by John Gregory (ex-Illinois Radio Network) Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 11:32 pm