Arch-Weasels Cling to the Trump Train

As part of our commitment to data journalism here at TPM, today we’re introducing TPM’s Guide To GOPers Hopping Off The Trump Train. As things get bleaker for Trump, more and more Republicans are trying to distance themselves from what appears to be a building reputational disaster for the GOP and all associated with Trump. But all are not created equal. So we’ve created a three part taxonomy. “Ready for Hillary” for Republicans who’ve taken the ultimate plunge and announced they will vote for Hillary Clinton. “Holdouts” are those who have announced that they will not vote for Trump but either refuse to say who they will vote for or have announced that they will vote for someone other than Hillary Clinton. “Arch-Weasels” are those Republicans who have made increasingly harsh criticisms of Trump, sometimes questioning his fitness for office and even his sanity but still endorse him for President and say they plan to vote for them. Given this effort to fudge and weasel out of the most elemental question a politician faces, the “Arch-Weasel” designation should speak for itself. Click here to read the Guide and please send in suggestions for revisions, additions and so forth.