Vote for Trump? These Republican Leaders Aren’t on the Bandwagon.

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Vote for Trump? These Republican Leaders Aren’t on the Bandwagon.

She stated quite a few officers who labored for each Presidents Bush and Reagan, a lot of whom signed a 2016 letter opposing Mr. Trump, had been on


She stated quite a few officers who labored for each Presidents Bush and Reagan, a lot of whom signed a 2016 letter opposing Mr. Trump, had been on Zoom chats and group emails attempting to find out easy methods to categorical their opposition and whether or not it ought to include an endorsement for Mr. Biden. The hassle to assemble extra anti-Trump Republicans to talk out is being spearheaded by John B. Bellinger III, who additionally labored in George W. Bush’s N.S.C. and State Division.

Some Republicans consider Mr. Mattis made their process simpler.

“It laid the cornerstone of combating again in opposition to Trump,” stated former Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, who famous that as Navy secretary he as soon as served as “boss” to Mr. Mattis, then a youthful Marine officer. “He stated: ‘I can decide the person.’”

But neither Mr. Mattis, nor every other former Trump official, is probably going to have the ability to prod Mr. Bush to publicly state his opposition. Freddy Ford, a spokesman for Mr. Bush, stated the previous president would keep out of the election and communicate solely on coverage points, as he did this week in stating that the nation should “look at our tragic failures” on race.

Notably, although, whereas the previous president, whom Mr. Trump has by no means reached out to whereas in workplace, could also be withdrawn from presidential politics, he isn’t completely disengaged from campaigns: he has raised cash for a handful of Republican senators, together with John Cornyn of Texas, Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado.

Mr. Romney this week lavished reward on Mr. Mattis however stayed mum about who he would truly help for president.

As for Mrs. McCain, she has sought to remain out of partisan politics. “Choosing a combat with Trump isn’t any enjoyable,” stated Rick Davis, a longtime McCain adviser who’s near the household.

However, Mr. Davis, alluding to Mr. Biden, stated: “You recognize the place her coronary heart is. Whether or not she articulates that or not remains to be an open query.”

Eric Schmitt contributed reporting.



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