How The Republican Party Has Failed To Dig Up Dirt On Donald Trump

[brooklynite]

Sam Stein:

WASHINGTON -- It's no secret that rival campaigns were caught off guard by Donald Trump's ascent in the Republican primary. But the extent to which they are still left scrambling to prevent him from becoming the nominee -- on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primaries -- is alarming many Republicans and astonishing rival Democrats.

Multiple Republican campaign sources and operatives have confided that none of the remaining candidates for president have completed a major anti-Trump opposition research effort. There are several such efforts being run by outside conservative organizations. But those efforts are still gathering intel on the businessman after having started late in the primary season, these sources told The Huffington Post. And they worry that it may come too late.

"It is one of the many ways we underestimated him, I suppose," conceded one top Republican campaign official whose candidate has since exited the race.

For those hoping to blunt Trump's momentum, the late start on opposition research is no small problem. One operative compared it to not having ammunition at the precise moment when there is a collective realization that a Trump candidacy needs to be shot down. Shauna Daly, the former research director for the Democratic National Committee and the opposition research firm American Bridge, called it "malpractice."

This is one reason I believe Clinton is the stronger GE candidate: I'm confident she's doing her oppo research, and I KNOW that American Bridge PAC has a massive file on him (I've seen their war room). It is precisely because Sanders is so issue-focused that I'm worried he won't focus on the brass knuckles side of politics.

[think]

1. It would be kind of tough for a GOPer to accuse him of being birther in chief....

[leftynyc]

2. They thought he would self-destruct

and then it became about not wanting to piss off his supporters by attacking him. They never thought he'd get this far. Hillary wont have that problem. She has the stones to do what all the other republicans were too cowardly to do.

[djean111]

3. "It is precisely because Sanders is so issue-focused that I'm worried he won't focus on the

brass knuckles side of politics."

Right. And when he does attack, he is deemed "desperate for a win".......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511346602

Also, keep in mind that it would be kinda rash for Hillary bring up Trump's infidelities. There is a huge file of stuff available on the Clintons, too. No point in saying Bill is not running, Trump will counter, quite effectively, methinks.

[brooklynite]

4. I suspect there's far more useful material in their files...

...and unlike Marco, she'll know how to use it.

As for Sanders? I think the key point was that he was going to be different; a candidate who'd never stoop to negative campaigning. FWIW, it's never been an issue to me.

[djean111]

8. I believe what Bernie meant was no campaigning about pecadillos and such. But some

Hillary supporters have decided that "no negative campaigning" really meant that Bernie was just going to say wondrous things about Hillary, no matter what poo was flung at him by, say, Brock - or Hillary - or else just never mention Hillary. Kinda disingenuous or else wishful thinking.

[Xolodno]

5. How do you dig up dirt on someone who is:

Who has been completely open about...

1) Adulterer
2) Has bankrupted companies
3) Has given to both political parties
4) Other skeletons in his closet
etc.

Not too mention has the reputation of being politically incorrect.

You could say he shot and killed a random innocent person in Times Square and his response would be "And your point is?" He's set himself up as the perfect anti-hero of the Republican party. If he started showing elements of compassion, humanity, etc. THEN he would lose voters.

[Xyzse]

6. Yikes... But, yes, that is quite correct.

Quite sad too.

[brooklynite]

9. I think the Trump University and Eminent Domain items are much more damaging...

...in the right hands, and when targeted towards moderate Independents and suburban Republican women.

[Xolodno]

10. He will dismiss it..and his supporters will eat it up...

...as

1) Eminent Domain: Pinko commies getting in the way of progress that would have provided jobs.

2) Trump University: Government regulating what is a "real education"...and if they regulate that, kiss your "hom skooled" privileges away.

But among everyone else outside that demographic (racist, hard right, evangelical, etc.), his chance of winning of the White House is slim to none. And if I'm wrong...don't want to think about it.

[brooklynite]

11. But his supporters aren't the voters Clinton will be going after...

...and wouldn't be supporting Sanders either.

The target is a share of the MAJORITY of Republicans who still aren't supporting Trump, primarily moderates. You don't need a lot of them, you need enough.

[Xolodno]

12. It's my opinion....and only an opinion.

Republican moderates have done one of two things:

1. Joined the Democratic Party.

2. Voted for Jeb, Kasich, Rubio, etc. (while holding their nose).

Come the GE, will vote "D". If they don't, then we lost in more ways than we know.

[treestar]

7. there must be so much of it too

Trump was not an elected official and was likely not very careful what he said and did.