RNC Leaders Call For Unity Within Divided GOP
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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) -- Responding to the growing "Never Trump" movement that's forcing a fracture within the party, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is calling for members of the GOP to unite ahead of November's presidential election, regardless of the selection.
"We expect our candidates to support our party and our eventual nominees," said the RNC chairman.
Priebus called on candidates, who are bitter rivals, to get behind the person who is eventually chosen to run against the Democrats.
He's calling for voters to do the same.
"The sooner Republicans unite, the sooner we will show America we are the only party ready to lead the course correction America is waiting for," Priebus said to a supportive crowd.
Broward's Sharon Day is Co-Chair. She told a room full of Republican Committee members that it has been tough to watch the bruising, nasty Republican race, but in the end, they have to come together.
"After watching and listening to the Democrats," said Day, "if we need motivation to unite our party, just think of the possibility of Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders becoming commander-in-chief of the greatest country in the world, because that will unite each of us."
Still facing the party is the possibility of a contested convention -- where no one gets enough delegates to clinch the nomination. If that happens, Priebus said it will go to a delegate vote and they'll follow the rules rather than just automatically awarding it to the one with the most votes.
"We aren't going to hand the nomination to anyone with a plurality, no matter how close they are to 1,237. You need a majority. 'Almost' only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades," Priebus added.
He told Republicans losing to Hillary Clinton can not be an option.
"This country can't afford a dishonest, career flip-flopper who is chomping at the bit to rubber stamp more of the extreme Obama agenda."