By Matthew A. McIntosh / 03.16.2016
In an interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Donald Trump said:
I think we will win before getting to the convention. But I can tell you, if we didn’t and if we’re 20 votes short or if we’re 100 short and we’re at 1,100 and somebody else is at 500 or 400 because we’re way ahead of everybody, I don’t think you can say that we don’t get it automatically, I think you would have riots. I think you would have riots.
Trump is not calling his supporters here to riot if he doesn’t get the nomination, at least not outright. But he is the master of “between the lines”, and one can’t help but wonder if this is a veiled threat at the GOP.
It’s hard to find examples of candidates actually threatening the possibility of violence if she/he does not get her/his party’s nomination, but Trump is anything but the typical candidate and his supporters anything but typical supporters.
They have shown a propensity to violence, as a quick glance of videos at his rallies will readily show. It’s not a far stretch to imagine them seeing Trump’s words as a call to arms if the convention doesn’t swing his way.
Candidates have been the assumed nominee and not won before, such as Abraham Lincoln’s victory for his own nomination. Apparently Trump thinks close should be good enough.
He’s playing horseshoes and hand grenades.