Donald Trump’s vicious, Islamophobic attacks on Khizr and Ghazala Khan were the story of the weekend, and, with Republican leaders refusing to repudiate Trump even as they claimed to oppose his comments, Democrats running for Senate seats across the country made clear that one party, at least, will not accept that kind of ugliness.
Some pointed out that their opponents’ words supposedly denouncing Trump are hollow as long as they keep endorsing him. “As long as Senator Portman is continuing to support Donald Trump for president his words are feeble, empty and meaningless.” Ohio’s Ted Strickland said. “Ohioans must be wondering which Portman to believe: the one who said just a week ago he was ‘all in’ for Trump, or the cowardly, calculated politician who—after 48 hours of silence—is trying to desperately distance himself from his own endorsement of the most toxic and divisive presidential nominee in modern history.”
New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte claimed to be “appalled” by Trump’s comments, but her Democratic opponent, Gov. Maggie Hassan, nailed it when she responded that “Moral indignation isn’t something one can have both ways. Donald Trump’s attacks on veterans, Gold Star families, Americans with disabilities, and the most vulnerable in our country aren’t just random incidents for Kelly Ayotte to selectively distance herself from—they are who Donald Trump actually is, and yet Kelly Ayotte continues to support putting him in the White House.”
With Republicans like Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt issuing weak-tea statements like “My advice to Donald Trump has been and will continue to be to focus on jobs and national security and stop responding to every criticism whether it’s from a grieving family or Hillary Clinton,” there will be plenty more opportunities to hammer Republicans for their continuing support for Trump.
And this is yet another reminder why it is so important Democrats retake the Senate this November. Vulnerable Republican senators might be "appalled" and so on by Donald Trump's words, but they're still holding a Supreme Court seat open for him to fill. Please give $3 to help turn the Senate blue—and keep reading for more Democrats sounding off on how inexcusable Trump really is.
North Carolina’s Deborah Ross:
"We can all agree that parents who've lost their children in service to our country deserve our prayers and our gratitude," said Ross. "The Khans are a tremendously brave family and they deserve nothing less than our full respect. Senator Burr's silence in light of Donald Trump's recent comments is inexcusable. It illustrates plainly that Richard Burr and Donald Trump are unwilling to recognize the Khans' sacrifice as equivalent to the sacrifices made by military families in North Carolina."
Pennsylvania’s Katie McGinty:
“Donald Trump’s comments about the Khans were absolutely disgraceful – a new low even for Donald Trump – and run directly counter to our values as Americans. His blatant disregard for the incredible sacrifice the Khan family has made, coupled with his continued derogatory statements about Muslims, demonstrate yet again that he is completely unfit to be our commander in chief.
“All of us should be united in support of the Khans, and all those families who have sacrificed greatly to keep our country safe. In the face of these disgusting comments, it is incumbent on all of us to speak out against Donald Trump. I call on Pat Toomey to end his silence on Donald Trump’s continued demagoguery and hate, and vow not to vote for Donald Trump this November.”
Arizona's Ann Kirkpatrick:
Gold Star families like the Khans deserve our gratitude and our respect for their heart-wrenching sacrifices on behalf of this nation. They have earned the right to speak out and not be slandered by the likes of Donald Trump and his disgusting comments.
The campaign of the once and future senator from Wisconsin, Russ Feingold, weighs in:
"Our gold star families should be honored, not slandered again and again by Donald Trump. Trump's vicious attacks have no place in our country, yet Senator Johnson continues to support Trump's campaign, and refuses to denounce Trump by name. Enough is enough - it's time for Senator Johnson to do what's right."
Iowa’s Patty Judge:
“Chuck Grassley has stood by while Donald Trump has insulted women, minorities, Americans with disabilities, and now he is remaining silent as his endorsed presidential candidate levies vile attacks on Captain Humayun Khan’s family,” said Patty Judge. “By remaining silent, Senator Grassley is choosing loyalty to his party in Washington and his continued support of Donald Trump over his loyalty to Iowa values like respect, decency, and defending the honor of America’s fallen and their families. The fact that he hasn’t already condemned Trump’s attack on this Gold Star family shows Iowa just how much 42 years in Washington have changed Chuck Grassley -- and not for the better.”