washington donald trump u.s. election prospect dim controversy swirl around future republican presidential hopefuls may weigh whether stand man savvy move party strategists fear voters flee trump also fail support republican candidates u.s. senate house representatives possibly cost party control congress trump lose nov. presidential election democrat hillary clinton polarize candidacy may reverberate well past 2016 tar future republican white house hopefuls potentially include house speaker paul ryan u.s. senator marco rubio indiana governor mike pence trump vice presidential run mate trump struggle opinion poll 2005 video release last week show talk sexually aggressive term seduce women afterward come stories several news outlets allege trump inappropriately touch women trump angrily denounce stories media republicans decline support brand already irrevocably damage nothing short term say doug heye former top official republican national committee look 2018 u.s. congressional election 2020 presidential election heye say two four years stain party soul wash away sure trump loss guarantee republicans would suffer long four years barry goldwater massive loss 1964 richard nixon stag republican comeback conservative heritage foundation think thank say goldwater launch shift right would end half century liberal dominance american politics republicans weigh run president four years decide whether back trump may define moment equal politicians face 2002 decide whether back republican president george bush iraq invasion 2006 public sentiment turn harshly iraq war republican politicians lose job democrats seize house senate republican presidential hopefuls future may ask loyal stand trump time expand party base include sectors candidate alienate broadly may ask right side history trump candidacy attract passionate support core group voters also drive away moderate independents republicans heye fear trump already alienate large populations hispanic voters hard line immigration cost party generation women voters well ryan rubio pence degree seek distance trump ryan week tell colleagues would long publicly defend trump essence wash hand rubio run trump republican primary fight re-election home state florida criticize trump remark women withdraw support pence routinely force answer run mate conduct manage last week vice presidential debate outline policy differences trump lead party crush defeat next month may years haunt republican office-holders support predict chaotic round finger point election people try justify position say jim manley former top aide senate minority leader harry reid witness democratic wave 2006 first-hand democrats try link vulnerable senate candidates trump every turn thursday advocacy group american bridge highlight trump praise rubio local florida television even rubio avoid appear trump events state clinton twitter week note ryan recant endorsement trump strategists say pence would hard time emerge trump shadow think pence really tough say republican operative liz mair pence excite conservative voters debate performance politico/morning consult poll take afterward show top choice 2020 among republicans 22 percent ryan texas senator ted cruz rubio follow cruz trump lead rival 2016 republican nomination illustrate peril try respond trump candidacy hold cruz endorse trump last month candidate go public-opinion tailspin cruz rubio well ryan come fire republicans appear waver trump time stand time criticize people waffle go trouble people pick side say brian bartlett republican strategist work mitt romney 2012 presidential campaign say ohio governor john kasich another presidential candidate consistently refuse endorse trump may emerge strong position potential 2020 contenders south carolina governor nikki haley may benefit ballot year thus spar ask constantly trump campaign assume anti-trump force party hold sway election still significant chunk party view trump critics disloyal bartlett warn may put establishment politicians spot explain support nominee trump tightrope republicans weigh response eye toward future