To go or not to go: Republicans face Trump convention dilemma

WASHINGTON — At least four Republican U.S. senators say they’ve decided to skip July’s party nominating convention in Cleveland to campaign in their home states. Several others say they haven’t decided whether they’ll make the trip, and at least one will boycott the event if Donald Trump emerges as the Republicans’ presidential pick.

This year’s convention is shaping up as perhaps the party’s most pivotal — and contentious — in a generation, and Senate Republicans appear increasingly nervous about it.

Many in the party are agonizing over the possible elevation of Trump or a contested convention that awards the nomination to someone else, either of which risks damaging the party and handing Senate control to Democrats.

House Speaker Paul Ryan even used a Tuesday night appearance on CNN to call on his colleagues in Congress to attend what he said “could be a great historical exercise.”

So far, most of the senators planning to skip the convention are being careful to avoid blaming Trump or the potential messiness directly. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the party’s 2008 presidential nominee, said Tuesday that he’ll be too busy running for his sixth Senate term.

“It’s not unusual for someone who’s up for reelection to be campaigning,” McCain said when asked whether he would rather avoid a potentially disordered convention. “I have a primary that’s on Aug. 30.”

McCain is facing what may be his toughest re-election fight and has clearly been uncomfortable with Trump’s success. Two others not attending — Mark Kirk of Illinois and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire — also face tough races against Democrats.

Even though those taking a pass on Cleveland say they just want to be on the campaign trail, staying away affords them other advantages. They might be able to avoid taking sides in what could be a protracted and bitter feud between Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and perhaps distance themselves from any chaotic fallout — or an unpopular nominee.

Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski noted the convention, which is scheduled to run from July 18 to 21, “is very shortly before my primary. So I’m going to be home with Alaskans.”