GOP Thaw Heats Up

While Hillary Clinton is still in the throes of a contentious primary, the GOP has found its presumptive nominee in Donald Trump — something some doubting members of the Republican Party are finally beginning to embrace.

“It’s a long time until November, but the early indications are that our nominee is likely to be very competitive.” — Sen. Mitch McConnell

So far, it’s been a two-way street. Trump is making an effort to mend some fences and assuage fears by toning down the fiery anti-Establishment rhetoric he deployed when vanquishing his foes. Meanwhile, top party lawmakers are extending an olive branch, inviting Trump to drop by for a chat on Thursday, one with House Speaker Paul Ryan and another with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

There is new optimism that key leaders within the GOP are already beginning to unify after what has been a tumultuous primary season — as the party looks ahead to defeating the Clinton machine in November.

“Many reluctant GOP leaders are starting to take baby steps where now at least they are willing to support the nominee,” said Republican strategist Mercedes Schlapp. “They woke up from the Trump tidal wave, examined the damage done, and realized the party will need to unite in order to defeat Hillary Clinton.”

Former GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio said Tuesday in a CNN interview that, while he will not endorse Trump, he will stand by the party’s loyalty pledge. “I signed a pledge, put my name on it, and said I would support the Republican nominee and that’s what I intend to do,” Rubio said. Rubio also said he has no interest in being Trump’s vice president, but that doesn’t mean he will become his “chief critic” over the next six months.

For his part, Ryan, who has made his “on the fence” position about Trump as the GOP nominee known, invited Trump by for a bury-the-hatchet powwow. There are signs Ryan is willing to meet Trump halfway, according to statements he made at a press conference on Wednesday — but under the condition of unity.

“What we’re trying to do is be as constructive as possible but have a real unification,” Ryan said. “I don’t really know him. I’ve met him once in person in 2012. We had a very good conversation in March on the phone. We just need to get to know each other.”

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Even Sen. John McCain is jumping aboard the Trump train, saying that GOP leaders who are unwilling to back Trump are ignoring the will of the people. “You have to listen to people that have chosen the nominee of our Republican Party,” McCain said. “It would be foolish to ignore them.” It should be noted that McCain faces a tough re-election bid and would need the support of Trump voters in his election — Arizona was a state Trump won handily.

What’s more, McConnell is desperately trying to unite the Republican caucus and advocate for Trump as the nominee of the party. “It looks to me like at the beginning of the race, Florida and Pennsylvania and Ohio look pretty competitive,” McConnell said Tuesday. “It’s a long time until November, but the early indications are that our nominee is likely to be very competitive.”

GOP Chairman Reince Priebus, who has the daunting task of uniting a fractured party, has come to Trump’s defense. “He’s trying, and honestly, he’s trying and I will tell you what, I honestly think he understands that building and unifying and growing the party is the only way we’re going to win,” Priebus said.