Sen. Lindsey Graham says Republicans are threatening to tear their own party to pieces by backing GOP front-runner Donald Trump.
Trump is “not electable,” Graham said Sunday on “The Cats Roundtable” on AM 970 in New York.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican who backs Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for the presidency, said Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is “imminently beatable,” but will be president next year if “Republicans made people vote for her.”
“I’ve never been more worried about the Republican Party breaking apart than I am today,” Graham said.
He said Trump’s popularity stems from frustration with “big government liberalism,” and warned that one of his most popular proposals, a vow to deport 11 million illegal immigrants, is unrealistic.
Graham predicted a “demographic death spiral” for the GOP if Trump is the nominee because of controversial statements he’s made about Hispanics and the billionaire businessman’s past statements about women. Trump is wildly unpopular with both groups.
“What we have to do as Republicans is offer an alternative that’s common sense, that people can understand, that’s hopeful and optimistic, not hateful,” Graham said. “I pray the Republican Party can nominate somebody that can beat Hillary Clinton because if she wins we’re going to have a third term of Barack Obama.”
