By Chris Moody, CNN Senior Digital Correspondent
The official committee tasked with electing Republicans to the Senate wants you to endorse Donald Trump for president — even though several of its own members refuse to do so.
Like much of the Republican establishment’s relationship with Trump, it’s a little awkward: The National Republican Senatorial Committee sent out a fundraising email to supporters Friday urging them to sign up to endorse the presumptive GOP nominee.
“You have the opportunity to endorse Donald J. Trump for president — even before convention makes it official,” the message, one of many messages groups such as the NRSC send supporters to build their email lists and raise money, reads. “Don’t miss out to be among Mr. Trump’s first endorsers! Add your name to confirm Mr. Trump can count on your vote in November.”
However, many of the group’s own members in the Senate haven’t taken that step.
Mark Kirk of Illinois, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ben Sasse of Nebraska have outright refused to endorse Trump. LISTEN to Senator Kirk tell John Howell his reaction to the the fallout from the Orlando terror attack, Donald Trump’s reaction, and President Obama’s use of the phrase “Radical Islam” here:
Other members, including Cory Gardner of Colorado and Ted Cruz of Texas, have been non-committal about whether they will support him, let alone formally endorse him.
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins even told The New Yorker she would consider voting for Clinton, but later said she would support the GOP nominee. And Texas Sen. John Cornyn said he wouldn’t answer another question about Trump until after the election.
Many lawmakers have cited Trump’s changing policy positions and divisive comments about racial minorities as the reason for their reluctance.
A spokeswoman for the NRSC downplayed the importance of the message, passing it off as a fundraising pitch.
“Alert the Pulitzer Committee, here is another story about fundraising emails,” Andrea Bozek said in an email.
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