A Republican National Committee draft resolution that would have labeled Donald Trump the GOP presidential nominee was withdrawn late Thursday after Trump himself publicly expressed disapproval, The Post has learned.
The resolution, proposed by Maryland RNC member David Bossie, would move the Republican contest into “general election mode,” although former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is still competing in the primary.
The proposal is set to be discussed at the RNC’s annual winter meeting, which will take place next week in Las Vegas.
Bossie — who was Trump’s deputy campaign manager in 2016 — withdrew his proposal after the former president wrote on Social Truth that he preferred to “finish the process at the ballot box,” a source familiar with the matter confirmed.
In his proposal, Bossie cited the 77-year-old’s back-to-back victories in Iowa and New Hampshire and argued that party resources should be used to launch a campaign against President Biden.
Trump publicly expressed disapproval of the RNC’s proposed resolution. Reuters
“Resolved, The Republican National Committee hereby declares President Trump as our 2024 candidate for the office of President of the United States and from this time forward goes into full general election mode welcoming all supporters,” the resolution said.
The draft resolution was first reported by the Dispatch on Thursday.
“While I greatly appreciate the Republican National Committee (RNC) wanting to make me their PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE, and even though they have more votes than necessary to do so, I feel, for the sake of PARTY UNITY, they should NOT proceed with this plan,” Trump wrote.
“I have to do it the ‘Old Fashioned’ way, and complete the process AT THE BALLOT BOX. Thank you RNC for the Respect and Devotion you have shown me!”
David Bossie, who served as Trump’s campaign manager, suggested labeling Trump as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. AP
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has not directly stated that she wants to move forward with Trump, but has hinted that she does not have high hopes for Haley.
“I look at the math and the path forward, and I don’t see it for Nikki Haley,” McDaniel told Fox News on Tuesday night.
Haley finished third in Iowa, earning eight delegates. He then finished second in New Hampshire, earning another nine.
Trump leads her 32-17 in the delegate count, and is likely to win the Nevada caucus on February 8, as Haley opted to participate in the non-binding February 6 primary.
Nikki Haley has vowed to stay in the 2024 race at least through South Carolina. Aristide Economopoulos for the NY Post
The Haley campaign was unimpressed by Bossie’s proposal and asked McDaniel to host a one-on-one debate between the former South Carolina governor, 52, and Trump.
“Who cares what the RNC says? We’re going to let millions of Republican voters across the country decide who should be our party’s nominee, not a bunch of Washington insiders,” campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas said Thursday.
“If Ronna McDaniel wants to help, she can host a debate in South Carolina, unless she’s also worried that Trump can’t handle being on stage for 90 minutes with Nikki Haley.”
Bossie did not immediately respond to inquiries from The Post.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/