Even though the Republican establishment fundraising group privately calls leading GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump a “misguided missile” who is “subject to farcical fits” and advises candidates to emulate but not tie themselves too closely to Trump, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is still soliciting donations using Trump’s name as a motivator to contribute.
A holiday-themed email from the NRSC went out this week offering an “I’m with Trump!” car magnet for a minimum donation of $10 The email was forwarded to The Gateway Pundit, from a recipient who wishes to remain anonymous, with the message, “These (expletives) are raising money off Trump as they stab him in the back!.”
The fundraising off of Trump shows the NRSC recognizes the strong support Trump has with the Republican base, if not the elites in party power circles like the NRSC.
Image source NRSC fundraising email.
The email went out a week after The Washington Post reported on a private memo dated September 22 by the NRSC’s Executive Director Ward Baker advising candidates how to handle Trump’s controversial candidacy the possibility of Trump winning the party’s presidential nomination next year. The memo suggests candidates emulate Trump, but with establishment caveats.
“In a seven-page confidential memo that imagines Trump as the party’s presidential nominee, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee urges candidates to adopt many of Trump’s tactics, issues and approaches — right down to adjusting the way they dress and how they use Twitter.
In the memo on “the Trump phenomenon,” NRSC Executive Director Ward Baker said Republicans should embrace Trump’s tough talk about China and “grab onto the best elements of [his] anti-Washington populist agenda.” Above all, they should appeal to voters as genuine and beyond the influence of special interests.
“Trump has risen because voters see him as authentic, independent, direct, firm, — and believe he can’t be bought,” Baker writes. “These are the same character traits our candidates should be advancing in 2016. That’s Trump lesson #1.”
The article continues:
“Time and again, Baker frames a future with Trump atop the ticket as an intense high-wire act for other Republicans. He calls Trump “a misguided missile” and says he “is subject to farcical fits.” With grim candor, Baker writes that he foresees a campaign year in which candidates repeatedly will have to fend off questions from reporters about the businessman’s comments and behavior.
“It is certain that all GOP candidates will be tied in some way to our nominee, but we need not be tied to him so closely that we have to engage in permanent cleanup or distancing maneuvers,” Baker writes, adding, “Don’t get drawn into every Trump statement and every Trump dust-up.”
Trump spoke about the memo last Sunday on the CBS News Sunday show Face the Nation with host John Dickerson.
“This week on “Face the Nation,” host John Dickerson and Republican front runner Donald Trump got into a feisty exchange about a Republican memo that labeled the GOP businessman a “misguided missile.” Trump challenged Dickerson’s line of questioning regarding the negative parts of the memo, calling it “dishonest.” He argued the memo was largely a compliment.
“They are actually saying that I will be the nominee, but they’re saying, ‘Study Trump, because he’s doing things that nobody’s ever done before and it really works.’ And obviously, you can leave some of the insults out, but you should learn from Trump,” Trump said.”
The text of the NRSC fundraising email sent out on Monday reads:
“Our office received a new batch of Donald Trump car magnets, just in time for the holiday season!
Since you support Donald Trump, I saved one just for you.
Claim your limited edition Donald Trump car magnet today >>>
Take your support for Donald Trump on the road.
Get your Donald Trump car magnet with your gift of just $10 or more today!
DON’T WAIT TO ORDER: Supplies are low and Donald Trump magnets won’t last long!
ORDER MY CAR MAGNET NOW >>>
Thank you,
Kevin”
The NRSC is currently led by Chairman Roger Wicker (MS); Vice Chair Dean Heller (NV) ; Vice Chair Tom Cotton (AR) and Vice Chair Joni Ernst (IA)
The NRSC fundraising off of Trump was reported in September by the TownCrier blog.
In addition to the Trump car magnet, the NRSC also sells a ‘Trump bundle’ that includes a Trump t-shirt, a Trump car magnet, three Trump bumper stickers and a Trump beverage koozie.
The Christmas themed solicitation went out the same day Trump dropped a bombshell campaign statement calling for a national security immigration timeout for Muslims until the country can get a handle on better determining whom among Muslims wanting to come to the U.S. are prone to waging jihad.
The NRSC also sells fundraising items with other candidates’ names but has not stabbed them in the back like they have Trump.
