
Trump's wild ride to take over the GOP 02:33
Story highlights
- Some Republican delegates to July's convention are dropping out now that Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee
- High-profile GOP lawmakers are already not going, and the trend is extending to other would-be delegates
For many prominent Republicans, a contested GOP national convention was the last hope for a nominee other than Donald Trump, and they were maneuvering to have a front-row seat to the gamesmanship.
But with Trump now the presumptive nominee, a number of would-be delegates are quietly giving up their tickets to Ohio.
Art Pope, a conservative donor and former backer of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, decided not to pursue a delegate spot after Trump won.
"This morning, I withdrew my name from the nominating slate for the North Carolina Republican State Convention," Pope, a former state official, told CNN the day after Trump won Indiana. "At this point in time I do not plan to actively support Donald Trump, that's why I'm not going to the Republican National Convention."
The dropouts come as the GOP is split over having Trump as its standard-bearer, with some Republicans questioning his temperament, conservative credentials and ability to defeat Hillary Clinton in November.
North Carolina finalized its delegate slate last weekend at a state convention that Ted Cruz supporters had been prepared to dominate before he dropped out. Cruz's campaign was
highly effective at getting loyalists named to delegate spots around the country, in many cases with supporters occupying delegate spots bound to Trump on the first ballot or second ballot but poised to switch loyalty on subsequent roll calls at a contested convention.
Cruz delegate chief Ken Cuccinelli said the campaign has heard from some of its delegates that they no longer intended to vie for slots.
"Yes, we've heard from a smattering of those and we're trying to get them to change their mind. That's an ongoing effort," Cucinnelli said.
Cruz's campaign wants its existing and would-be delegates to continue the fight. It convened a conference call Monday night with supporters and urged them to continue to seek out spots in state delegations, especially on the Rules and Platform committees.
In South Carolina, which also selected delegates the weekend after Trump's win, the mood at the state convention was described as somber.
"The SCGOP convention feels like a wake. Only 57% turnout, even after alternates were seated. Feel the excitement for November," an adviser to former candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Andrew Boucher,
tweeted. A state party source confirmed that attendance was just over 50% of what was expected.
The interest in delegate slots was also muted. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham had intended to run for a spot as a supporter of Cruz, according to a sample ballot circulated to state delegates early last week shared with CNN.
But Graham subsequently withdrew his name and publicly announced on CNN he would not back Trump or attend the national convention.
Graham isn't the only big name staying home. Senators including Mark Kirk of Illinois and Jeff Flake and John McCain of Arizona have all said they won't go. Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, along with former nominee Mitt Romney also will not attend.
In Illinois, the delegate selection process has been underway for weeks, with a committee working on a recommended slate of at-large delegates for the state's GOP convention in late May.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, the highest-ranking Republican in the state and an improbable victor in the blue state's last gubernatorial election, was expected to chair the delegation.
But right after Trump's Indiana win, Rauner's office informed local reporters
he would not be attending. The move is expected to be echoed by most of the state's Republican leadership.
"There were plenty of prominent Republicans who wanted to go, not to support Trump but to support someone on the second ballot, and once that potential evaporated, so did the interest in the convention," said Pat Brady, a former chairman of the state GOP.
Brady was elected directly as a delegate for Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the state's primary, and as of Tuesday, still intended to go.
According to two sources familiar with the New York GOP, a small number of interested delegates have made it known they no longer want to be a delegate. That state party selects delegates in small gatherings at the congressional district level and statewide level throughout May.
And in Indiana, Joshua Claybourn, an Evansville lawyer involved in local Republican politics, said he will relinquish an RNC delegate slot he had already secured.
"I will neither vote for, nor in any other way support, Mr. Trump," he said in an email to CNN. Claybourn pointed to Trump's positions on trade, free speech, and his lack of "a mature temperament needed at home and abroad."
"I believe a Trump presidency would bring less peace, more economic hardship, and a greater deterioration of freedom and respect," Claybourn added. "I cannot in good conscience attend a convention supporting him."
CNN's Eric Bradner contributed to this report
Poster Comment:

Memorial for the missing Trump delegates.
#1: buckeroo To: hondo68 (#0)
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 20:53:05 Reply Private Reply
#2: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#1)
Ron Paul is for legalizing Heroin. That is a sicko position.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 20:54:39 Reply Private Reply
#3: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#2)
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:00:00 Reply Private Reply
#4: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#3)
He is for it being legal. That isn't educated that is stupid. True liberty contains virtue.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:01:31 Reply Private Reply
#5: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#3)
More stupidity.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:03:19 Reply Private Reply
#6: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#4)
Where is the "virtue" of a nanny state that imprisons its citizens for being sick while stealing our tax dollars to fight silly, useless and failing "Drug Wars?"
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:03:39 Reply Private Reply
#7: A K A Stone To: All (#5)
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:04:44 Reply Private Reply
#8: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#5)
What is immoral about a pill? It defies the Pope's decree?
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:05:14 Reply Private Reply
#9: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#6)
Evil.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:05:29 Reply Private Reply
#10: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#6)
No one is imprisoned for being sick.
It isn't silly and useless to try stop the heroin epidemic.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:06:31 Reply Private Reply
#11: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#9)
Are you reading these little one liners off some insignificant web site? They make no sense at all.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:07:06 Reply Private Reply
#12: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#8)
Taking a pill the morning after to murder your kid is murder. Murder is evil.
Life begins at conception. It is a scientific fact and indisputable.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:07:36 Reply Private Reply
#13: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#11)
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:08:01 Reply Private Reply
#14: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#10)
Where does the power of the state stop? Eating eggs and drinking non-pasteurized milk?
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:08:39 Reply Private Reply
#15: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#13)
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:09:10 Reply Private Reply
#16: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#11)
You can't comprehend that Ron Paul voted that it is ok to kill a pregnant woman's child in the commission of a crime? That isn't conservative it is liberal and quite evil.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:09:31 Reply Private Reply
#17: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#11)
Unconstitutional and dereliction of duty as a congressman.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:11:02 Reply Private Reply
#18: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#15)
I already did in post 11 my friend.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:11:35 Reply Private Reply
#19: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#14)
What is moral. That is where it stops.
Heroin is an addictive and destructive drug that should have no place in a civilized society.
Eating eggs and non pasteurized milk is your own personal business and not that of the governments.
Is Trump against you being able to eat eggs?
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:13:00 Reply Private Reply
#20: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#15)
http://www.ontheissues.org/Ron_Paul.htm
I'll admit he has more good votes than bad ones. But the bad is pretty bad.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:14:05 Reply Private Reply
#21: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#16)
You are attempting to play your silly games of badgering again, not realizing there is a limit of the POWER of government and we must permit educated people to exercise their OWN responsible decisions about their respective lives. cya later.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:15:02 Reply Private Reply
#22: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#21)
No we were having a good discussion. You ran away with your tail between your legs.
Badgering is what I do to sneakypete.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:16:52 Reply Private Reply
#23: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#22)
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:25:03 Reply Private Reply
#24: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#23)
That is true at times.
I tried to get redleg to help out. But he is to busy. I thought he would be fair. More fair than me.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:34:36 Reply Private Reply
#25: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#24)
It is obvious that the US government has failed on many fronts that affect moral principles and i believe you resent it not just for the way of life you and your family were brought up but by the world around.
The US government has taken the idea of individual liberty to absolute absurdity. The idea that anyone can use a publick toilet is just one of the absurd legal requirements.
The US government uses the ACLU to pose these silly legal questions in the form of lawsuits against established principles. The ACLU is paid $250 an hour to provide these lawsuits .... did you know that?
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:42:29 Reply Private Reply
#26: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#25)
So are you for against transvestites using the ladies room if they are men. From your statement I am not sure.
I was thinking of going to Target to use the ladies room and piss on the seat and not flush.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:44:23 Reply Private Reply
#27: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#26)
I am neither FOR or AGAINST a transvestite using a publick toilet. If they are near me, however, they will get a publick beating just for their proximity. Do you get it?
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:48:33 Reply Private Reply
#28: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#27)
You are a great American for that comment. God bless you. Live long and prosper.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:49:57 Reply Private Reply
#29: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#27)
I don't care if they use the rest room. Just use the right one. Or at least don't legislate them to have a right to use the wrong one.
This is more than about going to the bathroom. It is about forcing us to accept their mental illness as normal and bless it.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:51:24 Reply Private Reply
#30: Hondo68 To: A K A Stone, *2016 The Likely Suspects* (#26)
The first lady who goes in there is going to figure that a Trumpster was just there.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-05-11 21:52:08 Reply Private Reply
#31: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#29)
Good point. Have you noticed the recent acceleration of these social changes based on government dogma?
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 21:57:11 Reply Private Reply
#32: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#31)
Yes since Obama came to office and all the dems flipped in 2 days.
Sadly some people I support are questionable. I'll admit it.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 21:58:43 Reply Private Reply
#33: buckeroo To: A K A Stone, hondo68 (#32)
Trump is playing the same game; he is the worst kind of presidential personna; he understands POWER concentrated in his hands. Beware of Trump.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 22:07:38 Reply Private Reply
#34: A K A Stone To: buckeroo (#33)
I think to him it isn't a big issue. He is focussed on other stuff and not pushing the fag agenda like the democrats.
A K A Stone posted on 2016-05-11 22:09:17 Reply Private Reply
#35: buckeroo To: A K A Stone (#34)
It is to libertarians. I despise the guy.
Could be, but all politicians that inherit the Whorehouse have lied to us. Wanna wager? If you don't, you admit you can not approach the game of trump or other pretenders. If you do, you admit, politics is all over your head to understand.
For the life of me I do not understand how or why people associate with political maggots. Trump is one of them.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 22:20:02 Reply Private Reply
#36: Gatlin To: buckeroo, A K A Stone (#35)
I can understand that because Libertarians are hateful people.
Libertarians are certainly a different breed.
They may look the same. They may use the same language. They put our pants on one leg at a time Most of them, anyway.
Libertarians are very strange and libertarianism does not make any anthropological or historical sense.
But they certainly have a unique way of thinking though to rationalize to fit their purpose and agenda.
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-11 23:02:14 Reply Private Reply
#37: Hondo68 To: Gatlin (#36)
It's called a brain. If you had one you'd understand, but never mind.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-05-11 23:16:34 Reply Private Reply
#38: buckeroo To: Gatlin, Grandisland, yukon (#36)
We are different than you, tater or your butt buddies. We don't use government funding ... as you do because you are owed a pile of money because you skinned a tater or two for 20 years on the US government welfare program. Nope, we have self respect.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 23:22:57 Reply Private Reply
#39: Gatlin To: buckeroo, GrandIsland (#38)
That is all you have little of it ... and nothing more.
You libertarians are a strange breed that cannot process information. The blathering of you holier than thou types is so amusing when you take pride in being opposed to the two major political party system.
You are a self proclaimed, unprincipled bunch who believes that anyone who does not run under your independent or third party tag lack principles. You erroneously feel that being a Republican is what creates all of our problems and that everything would be better if everyone would only listen to you and adopt your perceived principles.
Bullshit!
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-11 23:39:46 Reply Private Reply
#40: buckeroo To: Gatlin (#39)
We are the most principled people on the planet. As an example, I do not lie, cheat or steal. But the pack of WHORES you vote for are the worst vermin on the planet as they plan to lie, cheat and steal my wealth.
Your pal, Trump, is included in the worst group you would ever vote for. I know "why," you would vote for the vermin, too. You have lost faith in leadership for and about America. Now, you are worried where your worthless paychek is comming from.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-11 23:56:20 Reply Private Reply
#41: Gatlin To: hondo68 (#37)
It would be helpful to understand how the libertarian brain works. Hopefully there will be several studies published that provide insight into the libertarian brain and why you folks with such a brain cannot function in society. It would be nice if a study led to a molecular pathway chart to the creation or maintenance of a libertarian brain. Then we could all no doubt see why your high levels of parochial altruism promotes such frequent conflicts.
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-12 00:03:40 Reply Private Reply
#42: Vicomte13 To: buckeroo (#25)
It's trivial.
Talk about using the other sex's LOCKER ROOM and we have a real issue.
Vicomte13 posted on 2016-05-12 00:15:56 Reply Private Reply
#43: Gatlin To: buckeroo (#40)
That is a false dilemma whose prevalence results partially from the way you libertarians talk about, and argue for, your political views. Your arguments show Libertarianism as a type of worshiping cultish religion as you churn out annoying flamers and you resemble nothing more that street preachers on the public sidewalk while doing so.
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-12 00:21:19 Reply Private Reply
#44: buckeroo To: Gatlin (#43)
LQQk ,,, you stood with yukon and you probably sucked his dick for all I care; just don't get all emotional in publick about your queerdom. That is your personal problem.
buckeroo posted on 2016-05-12 00:33:34 Reply Private Reply
#45: Gatlin To: buckeroo (#44)
Having an intelligent exchange with an open mind has got to be one of the hardest things for you to do. But it can be one of the most rewarding. Try it sometime.
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-12 00:52:40 Reply Private Reply
#46: GrandIsland To: buckeroo (#38)
Spoken by a lying shitbag that works for a company that profits from draining the government dry of tax collected funds. Then his company pays Ba ba ba ba sucky bucky a paycheck from this government raping accounts receivables... and suckhole Bucky thinks he's different than a cop, firefighter or teacher.
GFY
GrandIsland posted on 2016-05-12 07:22:36 Reply Private Reply
#47: GrandIsland To: Gatlin (#39)
Sucky sucky Bucky doesn't even have that.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-05-12 07:26:00 Reply Private Reply
#48: Gatlin To: GrandIsland, Buckeroo (#46)
Buck has a long history of calling out those who fail to adhere to his flawed libertarian preaching. Despite his counterfeit libertarian bona fides, he isnt dogmatically averse to government assistance in the business sphere.
He lays false claim to being a hard working American and editorializes against being a government parasite while living off of government benefits for decades funneled through the company he works for doing contract work for the government.
Buck clings to a cluster of flawed principles while spouting empirical generalizations and making incoherent policy recommendations. He completely fails to realize that within the binary choice of Trump or Clinton in 2016, theres no question that Trump is the best move toward a better and more prosperous future while there is no third choice of any consequence.
He continues to serve as a shining example that to be a "libertarian" is a contentious and contemptable issue where even libertarians cannot agree among themselves.
Buck, you need to look beyond the untried and unproven Libertarianism philosophy for the real meaning of life.
Gatlin posted on 2016-05-12 08:22:47 Reply Private Reply
#49: Deckard To: Gatlin, hondo68, buckeroo (#36)
It has already been pointed out to you that you don't possess enough intelligence to understand what libertarianism is, so I won't repeat it.
However to simplify it for you : Libertarianism in One Sentence
...to demonstrate that our ideas are not as crazy as they appear and hopefully make a few moderates take a moment to think, with an open mind, about libertarianism, I have attempted to boil the philosophy down to one sentence, a simple question. While I do not presume to speak for the community as a whole, this is what libertarianism is all about for me on a personal level. The sentence is this:
Is it right to imprison people, robbing them of their liberty, when they have harmed no one and violated no property rights?
Thats it. Thats all there is to the philosophy. If you think the answer to that question is no, then you are a libertarian. For me, its a no-brainer. It is horrific to me to think of people being locked away in a cage who have done no harm to anyone else. Yet we are constantly doing this, or else threatening to do so.
In addition, you may want to consider this : Other people are not your property
In other words: They are not yours to boss around. Their lives are not yours to micromanage. The fruits of their labour are not yours to dispose of. It doesn't matter how wise or marvelous or useful it would be for other people to do whatever it is you'd like them to do. It is none of your business whether they wear their seatbelts, worship the right god, have sex with the wrong people, or engage in market transactions that irritate you.
Their choices are not yours to direct. They are human beings like yourself, your equals under Natural Law. You possess no legitimate authority over them. As long as they do not themselves step over the line and start treating other people as their property, you have no moral basis for initiating violence against them ' nor for authorising anyone else to do so on your behalf. The basic principle of civilised social intercourse was stated in 1646 by Richard Overton
Deckard posted on 2016-05-12 08:44:35 Reply Private Reply
#50: Deckard To: Gatlin, hondo68, buckeroo, Fred Mertz (#45)
It's so hilarious you perceive that the "Canary Clan" moniker is a badge of honor, especially after the shenanigans you assclowns pulled during the yukon debacle.
Deckard posted on 2016-05-12 08:47:54 Reply Private Reply