Now they've been joined by over 50 leading Republicans -- governors, U.S. senators and representatives -- who either never did, or do not now, support him. Some think Trump should drop out. Some say they'll vote for Hillary Clinton. Others merely say they can't endorse or vote for him.
By early October no major U.S. newspaper had endorsed Trump. Some conservative papers that have never endorsed a Democrat are supporting Hillary Clinton; others merely advise readers not to vote for Trump.
One can sympathize with Iowa's Republican leaders. It's not easy to reject one's presidential nominee. But the cost of their supporting Trump far exceeds any benefit.
(1) That they supported Trump will forever be a large blot on their personal political legacy.
(2) It will make it more difficult to rebuild a new, improved, responsible Republican Party in Iowa and the U.S. --- especially while Trump attacks Republican leaders.
(3) Trump's stirring up even more divisiveness and polarization is a disservice. It brings out the worst in us, rather than our best. Iowa's leaders are encouraging emulation of someone who deals in ridicule and mean-spirited disparagement of women, entire races, religions and ethnicities; war heroes, people with disabilities, and Gold Star mothers.
(4) Iowans are proud of their reputation for "Iowa nice," their welcoming of immigrant populations from around the world, their ethical and religious values --- a culture diametrically opposed to what Trump represents.
(5) Iowans, like all Americans, want our state to be well thought of by others --- especially those with ill-informed biases who think we're just backwater, flyover country. Our leaders' support for Trump only reinforces our critics' worst prejudices.
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