As Donald Trump picks up momentum in the 2016 presidential race, checkbooks from the party's elite donor class who are generally dedicated to stopping Trump from winning the Republican nomination have pretty much closed.
Although many believe that the real estate mogul is "making a mockery of conservatism and could undermine Republicans up and down the ballot," major donors are holding their fire when it comes to attack ads because according to
Politico, it would require an eight-figure advertising campaign to "make any kind of dent in Trump's popularity."
"There are a lot of donors who would like to do more, but they are going to have to regroup and find out what message works. Every time you go against him, it just makes him stronger," said Frayda Levin, a Club for Growth donor and board member
"The Club believes that their ads in Iowa were one reason why Trump did not win there, and they believe there are enough marginal voters that the ads will have impact elsewhere," Levin said.
However, she's aware that "we're running against the clock."
According to Politico, other anti-Trump groups have backed away from attacking the real estate mogul out of fear for their reputations.
"We would totally donate to you if we could do it anonymously; we're worried about Trump taking reprisals against us for donating to this," said GOP strategist Liz Mair. "Suffice to say, there are a lot of people out there who want to stop Trump and are willing to donate to do it."
"They're just the rank and file of the base, not the establishment donors," Mair said.
Currently, Politico reports that Trump is the most-targeted presidential candidate with super PACs and other outside groups spending $5.9 million opposing the real estate tycoon.
Trump's rival Sen. Marco Rubio is the second-most attacked candidate with $8.1 million in spending, followed by Hillary Clinton with $7.6 million.
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