Republican Senators continue to just not get it. After a weekend when Donald Trump lodged racist attacks against Judge Gonzalo Curiel and claimed Mexican-American and Muslim-American judges would be unable to do their jobs because of their heritage and religion, all Republican Senators could offer yesterday were feeble criticisms, awkward deflections, and silence.
As Politico reported, vulnerable GOP Senators are left with “little room to maneuver” on their party’s standard bearer, which led to a variety of tone-deaf statements from Republicans that ranged from whiny to out-of-touch to delusional:
Richard Burr, defending his continued endorsement of Trump, explained, “I think we’re all sort of used to remarks being made that we don’t expect.”
John McCain complained: “I’ve said everything I can say about Trump. I really have … I’m running my own campaign and I just don’t really want to keep talking about Trump.”
Kelly Ayotte continued her rhetorical tongue twisting: “I’ve said he’s our nominee; I plan to vote for him but I’m not endorsing,”
Rand Paul declined to comment.
Chuck Grassley said he didn’t “know all the facts.”
NRSC Chair Roger Wicker simply assumes that “there are people down the street at the campaign listening,”
Sorry Senators, but when your party’s standard bearer espouses this sort of viewpoint you are going to have to take questions about it. And none of the Republicans recognize that their efforts to “decry his comments and hope people move on” simply aren’t enough when they all continue to support a blatant racist and divisive figure for President of the United States. In fact, they even want to hold a Supreme Court seat open for him to fill.
“Either Republican Senate candidates don’t understand the gravity of Trump’s attacks, or they are too scared to stand up to them,” said DSCC spokesperson Sam Lau. “In either case, their feeble criticisms and tone-deaf responses are a disservice to their constituents and the millions of Americans Donald Trump continues to denigrate each and every day. No matter how annoyed they may get, Republicans will continue to be forced to answer for their support of the divisive and hateful leader of their party.”
See more of the brutal coverage vulnerable Senate Republicans received over their continued embrace of Donald Trump:
MSNBC: Senators blast Trump’s racism, but hold a High Court seat for him
Washington Post: Donald Trump’s attacks on judge once again put GOP lawmakers in a bind
The Atlantic: Trump’s Endorsers Can’t Disown His Comments
The Hill: GOP senators targeted over Trump judge remarks
Morning Consult: Republicans Wrestle With Trump’s ‘Racism’
The Hill: McConnell avoids comment on Trump’s judge attacks
Chicago Tribune: Duckworth blasts Kirk for silence on Trump’s comments about judge
WMUR: Hassan hammers Ayotte as ally of Trump, Washington ‘special interests’
Associated Press: Hassan defends record, hits Ayotte for backing Trump
Think Progress: Another GOP Senator Condemns Trump’s Racism, Says She’ll Vote For Him Anyway
