Donald Trump spent the weekend insulting Khizr and Ghazala Khan after their powerful appearance at the Democratic National Convention in honor of their son, the late Capt. Humayun Khan. Almost no one is defending Trump, but this calls for more than “not defending.” This calls for repudiating not just the statement but the candidate, and, with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell predictably lacking the courage to say “enough” and withdraw their endorsements of Trump, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is living up to his old nickname and giving ‘em hell.
“Senator McConnell and Speaker Ryan approvingly spoke at Donald Trump’s convention, endorsed Donald Trump for president and believe he is mentally fit to sit in the Oval Office. Occasional statements that do nothing to repudiate Donald Trump’s words and actions are spineless. Anything short of revoking their endorsements is cowardice.
“It took less than two days for Senator McConnell to call for then-Rep. Todd Akin to end his Senate campaign citing Akin’s ‘deeply offensive error at a time when his candidacy carries great consequence for the future of our country.’ Donald Trump’s candidacy carries even greater consequence, yet Senator McConnell remains silent.
“This shouldn’t be hard. Donald Trump is a sexist and racist man who insults Gold Star parents, stokes fear of Muslims and sows hatred of Latinos. He should not be president and Republican leaders have a moral responsibility to say so.”
Seriously. How many times now have Ryan and McConnell rejected a specific thing Trump said while continuing to endorse him? Is there ever going to be a point when they admit that these are not aberrations? This is who Donald Trump is. This is what they endorsed, and the “I reject that statement but endorse the guy who said it” act is getting really, really old. We’re well past the point where Ryan and McConnell own Trump—and everything that comes out of his mouth.