Yeah, but it's NOT an election. It's not an official government function, and has been pointed out, the party itself decides how binding the opinions expressed actually are. It's a poll. In fact, some states even come right out and call it that.
The Republican leadership IS respecting the process. It's the people who just noticed the process and are demanding that it be changed mid-stream to suit them that aren't.
A party has more purposes than just winning elections, which is why sometimes, they're willing to accept losing. Their primary purpose, rightly or wrongly, is to advance their own power and goals. This is not different from any other political party. Only the goals change.
All this twaddle about being obligated to accept a frontrunner who is no more or less than a hostile takeover of the party with an avowed goal - at least among its supporters - of smashing the party is nothing but the same old "you must give up and let me have my way, how DARE you oppose me and fight for your own aims!" The party leaders didn't give up the same right that the Trumpettes have to fight for THEIR candidate choice, simply because they became party leaders. Indeed, more effective fighting for their own candidates and goals is the reason WHY they worked so hard for that position.
Donald Trump isn't part of the "team". Much of the entire point of his candidacy is that he isn't, and hostility and negative intent toward the party.
Definition of the word Primary from the Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary and Thesaurus
.
primary Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary
"in the US, an election in which people choose who will represent a particular party in an election for political office"
When people start arguing against the well known meanings of words, that's when you know that they are deep in a state of irrational denial.
The Republican Party Leadership is NOT respecting the process. They think that they have the right to choose the nominee despite who wins the primaries, as you have been arguing.
They are wrong.
Definition of Political Party, again from Cambridge.
party Definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
"a
political group with
particular beliefs and
aims and which
supports members who are
trying to get
elected to
public office:"
Trump might be a recent convert to the Republican Party.
I am not. My father in law is even older, and he is also a Trump supporter.
This is not a hostile takeover.
Trump did not bring his "faction" of supporters into the GOP, we have been waiting here all along.
And as long standing Republicans we deserve an equal and fair opportunity to participate in the primary ELECTION and try to win.
AND if we win, fair and square, we deserve to have the Party to stand with us in the General Election.
