Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu described Donald Trump as a bully on Thursday and said he can’t envision the New York billionaire winning the nomination because Republicans are turned off by his threats of a third-party run.
The prospect of Mr. Trump ditching the GOP and running under another banner in 2016 worries some Republicans, who liken the possibility to the 1992 election, where Bill Clinton victory over then-President George H.W. Bush was attributed in part to businessman Ross Perot’s third-party run.
Mr. Sununu, who served as Mr. Bush’s chief of staff, said he doubts Mr. Trump, the front-runner in national polls, will be the party’s standard bearer in the election next year.
“I don’t think it is going to happen,” the 76-year-old said on Fox’s “Your World with Neil Cavuto.” “I think that over time the Republican party will select substance over style and showmanship.”
Mr. Sununu is a power broker in New Hampshire politics, and helped Mitt Romney win the GOP nomination in 2012. This go-round, though, he has said he does not plan on endorse because he has too many friends in the GOP primary. His son, former Sen. John E. Sununu, is backing Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Mr. Sununu said Republicans won’t give Mr. Trump a good look until he stops threatening a third-party run.
“Right now he is bullying people with the threat of being a third party candidate and I don’t think that is worth rewarding with any kind of comment or support,” he said. “When that happens then you will see a better attitude from Republicans across the board.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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