A new effort to discount and take down unexpected Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is now underway.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that a team of establishment Republicans is hatching plans for a “guerrilla” offensive against Trump before the business mogul gains more steam at the Iowa caucus scheduled for February 1.
Leading the effort is former Republican National Committee operative Liz Mair. Mair is calling her effort Trump Card LLC and she told the Journal that the group is “loosely organized and highly confidential” in an effort to attract high-rolling donors “who are very happy that their fingerprints will be kept off things.”
Rick Wilson, who has helped a new Rubio-supporting super PAC “Baby Got PAC” told the Journal he would also be involved in doing media work.
Originally viewed as a blip in a long campaign, Trump’s lead now is the cause of irritation, confusion and deep concern among the GOP’s establishment. Trump’s continual calls to build a border wall, as well as his most recent call that U.S. Muslims should be put into a database, are eroding the party’s efforts to appeal to minority voters who will be key for the party in a general election.
Yet this attempt is just the latest to attempt to upset Trump’s lead. Fellow Republican presidential candidates from Jeb Bush to John Kasich have attacked Trump, and as the Wall Street Journal story noted, the Club For Growth – a powerful outside group that supports free market conservatives– also has broadcast ads decrying Trump across Iowa.
