A top Republican donor says he'd like to see the GOP keep presidential candidate Donald Trump off the debate stage.
Under current terms for the first presidential debate hosted by Fox News Channel, the real estate billionaire would be allowed to participate because he's in the top10 candidates in national polling.
"Someone in the party ought to start some sort of petition saying, 'If Trump's going to be on the stage, I'm not going to be on there with him,'" GOP donor John Jordan told the Associated Press on Monday.
"I'm toying with the idea of it."
"It's something I feel strongly about as somebody who not only cares about the Republican Party, but also Latinos."
Politico notes Jordan's comments come in the wake of a letter from Wyoming-based investor Foster Friess, another top Republican donor, calling for GOP candidates to stay on the "civility reservation."
"Our candidates will benefit if they all submit to Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment, 'Thou shall not speak ill of a fellow Republican,'" Friess wrote in a letter last week to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, the AP reports.
Friess also writes he has the support casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who has not announced support of any particular candidate, and Todd Ricketts, the co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, who is backing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Politico notes nearly all the GOP presidential contenders have rejected Trump's June 16 remarks that criticized Mexico and other countries for sending criminals, including rapists, across the border.
Trump has defended his remarks.
Texas Sen.
Ted Cruz is one candidate who has instead defended Trump.
Responding to Friess' letter, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee writes he plans on "becoming the nominee by playing a better game, not by breaking the legs of my rivals."
"I hope that we don't commit fratricide again as a party," Huckabee wrote, according to a copy of his response obtained by the AP.
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