Senator Ben Sasse Will Not Support Trump as our Nominee

written by Jeanine Martin February 29, 2016

Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) is the first elected official to say he will not support Donald Trump if he is the Republican nominee. From Sasse’s Twitter feed, “If Trump becomes the Republican nominee my expectation is that I’ll look for some 3rd candidate – a conservative option, a Constitutionalist”. The Senator explained his position more fully on his Facebook page,

To my friends supporting Donald Trump:

The Trump coalition is broad and complicated, but I believe many Trump fans are well-meaning. I have spoken at length with many of you, both inside and outside Nebraska. You are rightly worried about our national direction. You ache about a crony-capitalist leadership class that is not urgent about tackling our crises. You are right to be angry.

I’m as frustrated and saddened as you are about what’s happening to our country. But I cannot support Donald Trump.

Please understand: I’m not an establishment Republican, and I will never support Hillary Clinton. I’m a movement conservative who was elected over the objections of the GOP establishment. My current answer for who I would support in a hypothetical matchup between Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton is: Neither of them. I sincerely hope we select one of the other GOP candidates, but if Donald Trump ends up as the GOP nominee, conservatives will need to find a third option.

Mr. Trump’s relentless focus is on dividing Americans, and on tearing down rather than building back up this glorious nation. Much like President Obama, he displays essentially no understanding of the fact that, in the American system, we have a constitutional system of checks and balances, with three separate but co-equal branches of government. And the task of public officials is to be public “servants.” The law is king, and the people are boss. But have you noticed how Mr. Trump uses the word “Reign” – like he thinks he’s running for King? It’s creepy, actually. Nebraskans are not looking for a king. We yearn instead for the recovery of a Constitutional Republic.

Senator Sasse is a man after my own heart. I suspect many other politicians, and voters, will be following his lead.

The full letter is much longer and can be read here for those you with Facebook.

More here, here, and here.

Jeanine Martin

Also known as Lovettsville Lady, I am a Republican activist in the wilds of western Loudoun County.

23 comments

Sailblazer March 2, 2016 at 6:06 pm

I understand exactly how Senator Sasse feels. And so do many of my conservative and thoughtful friends. Sure we want a wall, and an end to illegal immigration. And yes, we relish the idea of someone who will take the fight to ISIS.

Here’s the problem. We have never seen a presidential candidate like Trump, who is profane, infantile, and self-absorbed to a degree that is frightening. He appears to be incapable of thoughtful reflection. His policies are so shallow and contradictory that someone like Stephen Colbert can air a segment of “Trump vs. Trump” where the boastful, very rich guy, can be seen debating with himself, to much hilarity. Imagine the general election with a collection of outrageous Trump clips … Hillary’s staff is gleefully compiling them now. A candidate cannot act the fool, and call everyone names, and still expect widespread respect. Trump could have waltzed to the nomination with widespread support if he would have acted like a reasonable human being. As it is, the general election will require Trump to re-engage a goodly number of Republicans, who he has alienated.

Jeanine Martin March 2, 2016 at 6:53 pm

Well said. Thank you.

Downstater February 29, 2016 at 5:55 pm

Just had a phone call from a woman from the Trump campaign with a very heavy foreign accent, urging me to support D. Trump. I assured her I was going to vote for Trump. She was calling from N. Va.

Downstater February 29, 2016 at 5:52 pm

I’ve never heard of Ben Sasse before he came out in the media yesterday, or today, with this no-endorsement declaration, to make a name for himself. I’ve never been to his state, which I had to scroll up to check the article on to see which one of those non-descript states out there it was. I do not give a rat’s … who the freak Ben Sasse wants me to vote for tomorrow, I am going to vote for The Donald. Just sending a message to the Party which has ignored us for years.

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 7:34 pm

I have, so have lots of people given his stature in the Conservative movement. He doesn’t need to make a name for himself, he made it before this.

He never tried to tell you who to vote for, he said that explicitly in his letter, which was very respectful. Did you read what he said? Or did you judge him based on this article?

Sailblazer March 3, 2016 at 4:43 am

Your unnecessarily derisive comments about one of our outstanding young conservative senators reflect poorly on you. Bet your “outspoken” candidate would be proud of your disrespectful tone. Guess you are just telling it like it is, huh.

Di Read February 29, 2016 at 9:33 am

Huh. Robert Kagan (sp.?) said in yesterday’s WaPo that he’d vote for Hillary over Trump. Wonder how many will follow his lead.

Carol February 29, 2016 at 8:50 am

Totally disappointed in Sasse. Guess he hasn’t heard the ‘ROAR” … (Return Our Awesome Republic)

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 1:49 pm

He’s heard it, he doesn’t like the way it is headed due to the conduct of the man leading it. Namely that Trump doesn’t seem to know, or care, what the Constitutional limits of the President’s power are.

mark Jawsz February 29, 2016 at 8:26 am

This character is a damn fool.

Connie S. February 29, 2016 at 8:21 am

Big deal, some wienie senator joins McConnell in being a spoil-sport. Never heard of him before this. Guess Sassie just wants the publicity. Trump sure doesn’t need HIM.

However Trump IS getting some big-hitters, and well-respected patriots support. Senate Conservative giant, Jeff Sessions HAS strongly endorsed Trump though. And Benghazi Heroes Mark Geist and John Tiegan (of ’13 Hours’) have also!

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 1:47 pm

Ben Sasse is making waves, practically with his “What is a Conservative” answer. He’s considered a rising star. For his age he’s got a very impressive list of accomplishments, from a President of University to a Senator to a host of Christian causes he’s supported and advised.

Sessions is on his way out. Due to age this is probably his last term in office.

Downstater February 29, 2016 at 6:06 pm

Jeff Sessions is a Senator I have long supported. If he retires, someone else who carry the mantle.

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 7:27 pm

Absolutely. He’ll be replaced in his Senate seat when he retires.

Will the next guy be a Trump man? Nope.

JWS February 29, 2016 at 2:42 am

I thought that Shaun Kenney had already said that he wouldn’t support Mr. Trump.

Jeanine Martin February 29, 2016 at 2:55 am

Don’t know what to tell you other than Ben Sasse announced it yesterday on his Twitter page. Check his Facebook page, the letter to Trump supporters went up late last night. Perhaps Shaun could see into the future? Other than that, I can’t explain it.

Larsele February 29, 2016 at 11:32 am

I’m wondering if Sen. Sasse has actually ever met Donald Trump or even personally spoken with him. I’m guessing he hasn’t. Pity

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 1:42 pm

Don’t know. I do know that Ben tried to ask Trump a couple of questions on Twitter and Trump spent part of the day blasting him for it.

I guess the real question is: why would Sasse want to meet Trump after Trump called him a “gym rat” for asking him about his viewpoints?

Downstater February 29, 2016 at 6:04 pm

Oh, “Mr. Purge”.

Stonewall Jackson February 29, 2016 at 7:23 pm

Did you ever read that Kenney schmuck’s opus, “Drive the Nativists Out of My Party?” Looks like the guy got what he wanted… Now his party will be him and Brian Schmuckman and Junior Hoefty Boy… Everyone else left them.

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 7:47 pm

Shaun Kenny is wrong on a lot of things, but he’s right about Trump. As are Ben Sasse, Erick Erickson, Leon Wolf, Max Lucado, Jon Gabriel, Ben Shapiro, Glenn Beck, Russel Moore, E.W. Jackson, Steve Berman, Rick Perry, and David Limbaugh.

If a third party forms, there will be nothing left for Trump’s team to lord over.

Stonewall Jackson February 29, 2016 at 10:34 pm

A third party? There aren’t enough Country Club Republicans to form a bridge club. That third party isn’t going to form around the likes of Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio… The GOPe is dead.

Joseph February 29, 2016 at 10:52 pm

There are more than enough Tea Partiers, Social Conservatives, Conservatives, and Republicans to form a new party. And they will if Trump is the nominee.

Case in point? The list I gave you.

Ben Sasse, elected official, Conservative.

Rick Perry, Conservative Governor.

Erick Erickson, radio host, Tea Partier, Evangelical, Social Conservative.

Leon Wolf, editor of Redstate, Conservative Republican.

Max Lucado, Christian pastor.

Jon Gabriel, commentator, Republican.

Ben Shapiro, commentator, Republican.

Glenn Beck, Tea Partier, small l libertarian.

Russel Moore, Southern Baptist Preacher and social leader.

E,W. Jackson, Evangelical, Social Conservative, Conservative, Tea Partier.

Steve Berman, Social Conservative, Conservative.

David Limbaugh, Christian apologist, Evangelical, Social Conservative, Conservative.

The people who find Trump morally and politically unacceptable come from all the wings of the Republican party, Republican, moderate, Conservative, small l Libertarian, Evangelical, Social Conservative, and neoconservative.

Senator Ben Sasse Will Not Support Trump as our Nominee

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