The Republican Party is preparing Senate candidates for the very real possibility that Donald Trump could be the party’s presidential nominee.
According to a seven-page memo obtained by the Washington Post, National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Ward Baker is encouraging Senate candidates to understand Trumpmentum, use it to their advantage, and then ignore Trump’s most bombastic positions.
“We should prepare for 2016 by understanding the environment and recognizing the Trump phenomenon, ” the memo reads.
The memo, which is titled “Observations of Donald Trump and 2016” continues, “We may not like it, but Trump has connected with voters on issues like trade with China and America’s broken borders.”
“Trump has risen because voters see him as authentic, independent, direct, firm, — and believe he can’t be bought,” Baker’s September letter says, according to the Washington Post. “These are the same character traits our candidates should be advancing in 2016. That’s Trump lesson #1.”
In that memo, Baker warns candidates they should run their own race and not “engage in permanent cleanup or distancing maneuvers” for Trump. Specifically on Trump’s position toward women, Baker warns “Houston we have a problem.” He asks candidates to offer a “quick condemnation” and then move on.
But there is still a thing or two they can learn from the current GOP frontrunner.
“Understand the populist points Trump makes and ride that wave,” Baker writes.
