Donald Trump appears on track to secure the Republican presidential nomination, but some top congressional Republicans have never met him, and their private anxiety about running on the same ticket as the unpredictable billionaire businessman is starting to go public.
House Speaker Paul Ryan had one brief conversation with Trump at a political event when he was Mitt Romney's running mate in 2012, but hasn't spoken to him since. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy made headlines recently saying he could work with Trump, but an aide tells CNN the two have never sat down together.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has acknowledged he received political donations from Trump, but the last time they spoke was by phone last year. Like Ryan, McConnell regularly refuses to comment on the GOP presidential contest, other than saying that he thought the Republican nominee in 2016 should be someone who can win in "purple states."
With Trump poised to rack up more wins in several states voting on Super Tuesday the reality of a reality star leading the Grand Old Party this fall is starting to sink in on Capitol Hill.
The No. 2 Senate GOP leader, Sen. John Cornyn issued the strongest warning to date on Monday about Trump telling CNN, "We can't have a nominee be an albatross around the down-ballot races, that's a concern of mine."
Cornyn said he has met Trump but never thought he would run for president.
"I think he certainly is a controversial figure -- I think we need someone who can unify the party, as opposed to divide the party," he said.
Sen. Ron Johnson, who is up for re-election in the blue state of Wisconsin, told reporters Monday, "I literally pray every night that our nominee is someone with integrity, intelligence, courage and ideas -- so I'm going to keep praying."
Asked if that could be Trump, Johnson wouldn't be pinned down.
"We'll see how this process plays out," he said.
(CNN)
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