Trump’s results remark draws republican fire
Party members concerned by fallout from challenge to US democracy
Republicans were quick to denounce remarks by Donald Trump after the presidential candidate on Wednesday refused to commit to accepting the outcome of the November 8 US election if he loses – challenging a cornerstone of American democracy.
Trump’s refusal, which his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton called horrifying, was the standout remark of their third and final debate.
It ratcheted up claims by Trump that the election is being rigged against him.
Asked by moderator Chris Wallace if he was not prepared to commit to a peaceful transition of power, he replied: “What I’m saying is that I will tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense. OK?”
Trump’s statement might appeal to his anti-establishment followers, but was unlikely to reverse opinion polls showing him trailing, including in the narrowly divided swing states that are likely to decide the election.
“That is not the way our democracy works,” Clinton said in the debate.
“We ’ve been around for 240 years. We ’ve had free and fair elections. We ’ve accepted the outcomes when we may not have liked them.
“And that is what must be expected of anyone standing on a debate stage during a general election.”
A CNN/ORC snap poll said 52%thought former secretary of state Clinton had won the debate and 39% said Trump, a former reality TV star making his first run at public office, had.
On Twitter, President Barack Obama, a Democrat, said Clinton had scored an “outstanding 3 for 3 debate sweep”.
The Mexican peso climbed to a six-week high against the dollar immediately after a debate the market saw as having given no clear boost to Trump’s White House hopes.
The peso is seen as the main proxy for market pricing of Trump’s chances of winning, in view of his vow to get tough on immigration.
Trump’s comments made banner headlines across the country and increased Republican worries his poor performance might also dim the party’s chances of holding onto its majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives in the election.
Among Republicans who quickly denounced the remarks, Senator Lindsey Graham – a former presidential candidate – said: “If he loses, it will not be because the system is rigged but because he failed as a candidate.”
Republican Senator Jeff Flake said the comment was beyond the pale. Trump’s campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, yesterday tried to defend Trump, saying in television interviews that he was putting people on notice about voting irregularities.
Trump was willing to accept the election, absent widespread fraud.
With national opinion polls showing Clinton’s lead over him increasing in recent days, Trump has stepped up allegations that the election is being rigged, without offering evidence.
His running mate, vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence, said Trump would accept the outcome because he was going to win.
But Republican strategist Ryan Williams said he found Trump’s statement deeply concerning.
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine, in a series of TV interviews yesterday, blasted Trump’s stance as shocking and a threat to American democracy.
The two candidates again lashed out at each other in the debate.
Trump, 70, called Clinton a nasty woman and accused her campaign of orchestrating accusations against him by women of sexual misconduct and said both she and Obama had arranged disturbances at his rallies.
Clinton, 68, said Trump himself had incited violence, belittled women and posed a danger to the US.