GOP insiders to Trump: Stop telling the base what they want to hear

Donald Trump's immigration proposals have entirely boxed in the GOP field and Republicans know it. Politico's survey of its insiders caucus found that 85 percent of New Hampshire Republicans and two-thirds of Iowa Republicans say The Donald's immigration proposal is killing their chances in the general—by catering to the GOP's base.

“He’s solidly put an anchor around the neck of our party, and we’ll sink because of it,” an Iowa Republican said of Trump.

“Enough already,” vented another Iowa Republican, who like all participants was granted anonymity in order to speak freely. “This kind of garbage only appeals to the hard core … while alienating the soft middle that we must win in order to take the presidency.”

A Granite State Republican said it was “harmful to the party, the brand and the future of our country. What’s disappointing is the speed in which other candidates follow his lead. He’s forced that to be standard operation.”

Quit it, Trump! Stop selling all that "garbage" that the GOP base actually believes.

The Donald and the fact that his ideas clearly appeal to some Americans is a problem for the country as a whole. But in terms of the Republican Party, his popularity just highlights how disastrously extreme the GOP base is. They're never going to win national elections until they tame that beast—and it's a beast of their own making.