How Does the Campaign Industry Solve a Problem Like Trump?

Even before Donald Trump’s campaign started racking up wins, consultants were brainstorming ways to derail him. A few went rogue and set up guerrilla Super PACs to snipe at the businessman with TV and radio buys — an effort that has grown in recent weeks. Some took their frustration to Twitter where they battled the candidate’s avatar in 140-character bursts. Others argued for a wide scale attack funded by big name GOP donors, but the party’s donor class initially wouldn’t commit.

Behind the scenes, several longtime consultants have even argued for some sort of official action from the American Association of Political Consultants, a trade group representing the campaign industry.

For some, Trump’s call for the "shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” and his characterization of illegal immigrants as “criminals, drug dealers, rapists” meant he was guilty of using race in a way that violates the AAPC's code of ethics. As the primary season got underway in earnest last month, top members of the AAPC argued behind the scenes about the group’s need to publicly repudiate Trump — discussions that are still alive.

“He’s clearly doing things that fall outside of the standards that we set for ourselves through our code of ethics - that you’re not going to use race in such a reprehensible way,” said Art Hackney, chairman of the AAPC. “We’re looking at all the people who are advisors to Trump, but to what degree are they advising that guy or are they just hanging on for dear life to ride that horse? What does that mean in terms of the standards? That’s going to be a major focus of our board retreat in March.”

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