The executive director of a super PAC devoted to defeating GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump is trying to circle the wagons among conservatives and political operatives who want to slow Mr. Trump down, laying out a new step-by-step strategy on how to go about it.
Katie Packer, executive director of the group, Our Principle PAC, writes in the memo released this week that in her nearly 30 years of political involvement, she’s never see a campaign where the front-runner had no “aggressive, strategic” campaign launched against him.
“In this election, Republicans have spent over $215 million in ads and voter contact,” she wrote. “Just four percent ($9 million) of that spent to challenge Trump. Compare that to the tens of millions spent to attack Marco Rubio, the tens of millions spent to attack Ted Cruz, and on it goes.”
The memo, titled “Defeating Donald Trump and his Conservatism of Convenience,” goes on to say that running ads on a single issue won’t stop Mr. Trump, but it’s the cumulative effect of highlighting his positions on issues like universal health care, abortion and eminent domain.
The memo also says that putting out information in Mr. Trump’s own words and then asking voters questions is the most effective route to getting through to voters.
“Telling voters Donald Trump is a liar, a fraud, a liberal is counterproductive,” the memo says. “They will shut down and discount other accurate and valuable information.”
The memo also says the anti-Trump terrain is about to become friendlier with more “closed” primaries in upcoming states, where independents and Democrats would be less likely to cross over and support Mr. Trump.
“If all of us join forces in a concerted effort to expose his record and his rhetoric, it is possible to stop him. If not, we will have the nominee we deserve,” it concludes.
The group has spent more $3.5 million on anti-Trump efforts so far, and news reports have indicated Marlene Ricketts, the wife of billionaire J. Joe Ricketts, has given $3 million to the effort.
Mr. Trump has apparently taken notice, issuing the family somewhat of a warning Monday.
“I hear the Rickets family, who own the Chicago Cubs, are secretly spending $’s against me. They better be careful, they have a lot to hide!” he tweeted.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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