Throughout this election, Senate incumbents and candidates running with Donald Trump have shown that no matter how offensive, divisive or dishonest their nominee may be, he’ll still have their vote.
Now, we see how dangerous this blind pledge of loyalty is as Republicans took Trump’s most dangerous comment to date – that Russia should engage in cyber attacks against our country – in stride:
Politico reported on comments from Senators John McCain, Ron Johnson, Richard Burr and Kelly Ayotte who each “refrained from chastising Trump directly – a task that was left for their Democratic opponents.”
The Charlotte Observer noted that while “Burr’s Senate office… declined to comment on Trump’s statements” Deborah Ross was the one who “called Trump’s comment dangerous.”
McClatchy attempted to get Senator Roy Blunt’s comments but was told “he was on the road and could not be reached for comment.”
More disconcerting, Buzzfeed reported that as Trump again disqualified himself, Senator Marco Rubio defended his ability to serve as commander-in-chief, essentially saying don’t worry, he’ll learn on the job.
Even those who’ve closely watched this election cycle were “stunned.” Here’s MSNBC’s Chuck Todd putting into sharp relief what’s unfolding within the Republican party:
“I have to say, I am sort of stunned today at what I think is a lack of shock and lack of bipartisan outrage… I do think some Republicans have been reticent about speaking out because they don’t want to look like they’re helping Hillary Clinton here, but this is I think bigger than that. This is a threat to the sovereignty of the United States.”
