Trump defends record on women as presidential rivals pile on

[webfact]

Trump defends record on women as presidential rivals pile on
By JILL COLVIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon, so his rivals are scrambling to figure out how best to handle the blowback from every new bout of bluster drowning out their campaigns.

Lead the charge, if you're the sole woman in the Republicans' White House race and trying to crack the top tier for the next debate, by questioning Trump's ability to withstand the pressure of the presidency.

Belittle Trump's claim to be a truth-teller by arguing that self-promotion is the billionaire's guiding philosophy.

Warn that Trump's provocative comments about women endanger the party's standing with a group that makes up the majority of voters.

Or simply plead for the incessant Trump questioning to cease so that other candidates can get on with the business of why they're running.

These are some of the varied approaches of the other 16 Republican candidates fighting for attention and breathing room in a primary field eclipsed by Trump.

On Sunday, he was back, splashed across the weekend news shows, dismissing the latest firestorm to consume his campaign and explaining how he cherishes women and would be their strongest advocate if elected. "I'm leading by double digits, so maybe I shouldn't change," he boasted.

The latest controversy started Thursday night when Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly recounted Trump's history of incendiary comments toward women. Angry over what he considered unfair treatment at the debate, Trump told CNN on Friday night that Kelly had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."

The remark cost Trump a prime-time speaking slot at the RedState Gathering, the Atlanta conference where several other presidential candidates spoke to about 1,000 conservative activists.

But Trump refused to back down, insisting Sunday that only "a deviant" would interpret his comment beyond a harmless barb.

"I apologize when I'm wrong, but I haven't been wrong. I said nothing wrong," said Trump, who spoke to four Sunday news shows, skipping only Fox News, the network with which he is feuding.

The flap is just the latest from Trump's unconventional, insurgent campaign, which has excited many anti-establishment conservatives while confounding party leaders already facing the prospects of a bruising fight among 17 candidates.

Some have responded by sharpening their critiques, questioning Trump's electability, his conservative credentials, policy ideas and personality.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, the only woman running for the GOP nomination, appeared most adept at seizing on the comments as she strives to break into the top 10.

"I think women of all kinds are really sort of horrified by this," she said, arguing that there was a difference between being politically incorrect and insulting.

She also questioned Trump's suitability for office, suggesting the businessman may be unprepared for the pressure that comes with being president.

"I think you cannot have a president who is thin-skinned. If you think a question is tough, imagine the pressure of actually being in the Oval Office," she said.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a frequent Trump critic, went after Trump's temperament and a muddled record filled with contradictory statements.

"I don't think we should reward vulgarity. And I don't think vulgarity equates with insight," he said.

Paul also continued a line of attack he began in the debate. "I have no idea whether he's conservative," the senator said. "He really could be a liberal, for all I'm concerned. I have no idea what his real philosophy is, other than that he is for promoting himself."

Jeb Bush, the presidential favorite for many top Republican donors, said at RedState that Trump's bombast would hurt the GOP's chances with women, who already tilt toward Democrats in presidential elections. "Do we want to win? Do we want to insult 53 percent of our voters?" the former Florida governor asked.

Other candidates bemoaned the challenge of preaching their message when all their precious free TV time is spent being asked about Trump.

"At this point, I mean, we've got to focus on our message. Otherwise, my whole campaign will be, 'How do you feel about what Donald Trump said about something?'" Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said. "He says something every day."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, took a similar tone, describing himself as a strong proponent of women, but avoiding criticizing Trump at length.

"I think it's more important for me to tell you who I am and what I think, than spend my time on the negative side of the street," he said.

Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor seemed exasperated at RedState, at one point snapping at reporters after being asked several Trump-related questions. On Sunday, he took a more measured approach.

"I think the rest of us are doing what we're supposed to do and that's focus on getting a message out, which is sometimes hard to do because all the air in the balloon is going to Donald Trump right now," he said.

Trump, who has refused to rule out a third party run if he falls short of the GOP nomination, was asked about those Republicans wondering what it will take to get him out of their party. "I don't think anything. I really want to stay."

Trump was interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," CBS' "Face the Nation," ABC's "This Week" and CNN's " State of the Union."

Executive Producer Jessica Loker said in a statement that Fox News Sunday doesn't do phone interviews with presidential candidates and that the show is in conversation with Trump's campaign about a future on-camera interview.

Fiorina was on CNN, CBS and "Fox News Sunday. Kasich appeared on CNN and ABC, while Huckabee was on ABC, Rubio on NBC and Paul on Fox.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-08-10

[keemapoot]

It's pretty clear the establishment republicans don't want him in the party, and he's now made an enemy of their strongest and most powerful media organ, Fox News. He really is a bee in the GOP's bonnet at this point. If he goes 3rd party, he fractures the vote and Hilary wins, if he stays, he continues to make the party look fractured, dazed and confused.

The dems probably win in either case....

[Credo]

Well, there is no need to wait for an open microphone accident to hear what he really thinks.

[Loptr]

And the backlash begins against Faux News... You know it's pretty bad when a pair of black women take to youtube to defend The Donald... Well worth the few minutes to watch their videos, for a bit of humor if for no other reason...

http://www.theamericanmirror.com/video-black-women-defend-donald-trump-shred-megyn-kelly/

If nothing else, the next 14 months leading up to the '16 elections will be very interesting...

[delgarcon]

Straight fight now, Clinton/Bush, Clinton wins. Not rocket science is it!

The Republicans must be really disappointed in Trump, they surely know that America doesn't want another Bush, but how can they elect an ego maniac woman hater!

[gandalf12]

They are all the same, a bunch of useless self serving idiots. Who cares who wins, nothing will really change

[godden]

When's he going to play his trump card.

[Bakseeda]

And the backlash begins against Faux News... You know it's pretty bad when a pair of black women take to youtube to defend The Donald... Well worth the few minutes to watch their videos, for a bit of humor if for no other reason...

http://www.theamericanmirror.com/video-black-women-defend-donald-trump-shred-megyn-kelly/

If nothing else, the next 14 months leading up to the '16 elections will be very interesting...

The best thing for all United States Americans is that Obama will be gone.... what a blessing for the world over.... But Hilary, wow, that's scary..! And , well, Donald (where's your troosers) Trump, well, his granny was Scottish , that's gotta be a bonus...

[billd766]

And the backlash begins against Faux News... You know it's pretty bad when a pair of black women take to youtube to defend The Donald... Well worth the few minutes to watch their videos, for a bit of humor if for no other reason...

http://www.theamericanmirror.com/video-black-women-defend-donald-trump-shred-megyn-kelly/

If nothing else, the next 14 months leading up to the '16 elections will be very interesting...

Well I tried to watch the video but only managed 16 seconds before I dumped it.

Sorry.

[stevenl]

And the backlash begins against Faux News... You know it's pretty bad when a pair of black women take to youtube to defend The Donald... Well worth the few minutes to watch their videos, for a bit of humor if for no other reason...

http://www.theamericanmirror.com/video-black-women-defend-donald-trump-shred-megyn-kelly/

If nothing else, the next 14 months leading up to the '16 elections will be very interesting...

The best thing for all United States Americans is that Obama will be gone.... what a blessing for the world over.... But Hilary, wow, that's scary..! And , well, Donald (where's your troosers) Trump, well, his granny was Scottish , that's gotta be a bonus...

Us Americans may like him gone, worldwide he is popular. No, no blessing for the world.

[elgordo38]

Its just amazing how this whole discussion(on women) can refocus on The Donald and be diverted away from the real problem with women rights. Its how the right wing zealots sat on the stage(more than one) and hammered home how abortion should be nullified and women's rights over their bodies controlled by the state. We are headed more and more to a police state every day. By 2084 George Orwell's predictions should all come true but frankly I think it will be much sooner. The pregnancy police(womb watchdogs) will be out in full force. I wonder if by 2084 there will be a people quota and we will all have a number stamped on our forehead at birth possibly along with a bar code.

Edited August 10, 2015 by elgordo38

[sgtsabai]

There is only one possibility of a decent Pres., Bernie Sanders. That will only happen if after all these years of trying somebody finally hangs something real on Hillary. No matter who emerges out of the clown bus a winner, they couldn't get elected dog catcher in a one dog town. I doubt he would ever be "allowed" to be elected. elgordo you are right, if the plutocrats, theocracy right wing dominionists are not stopped women will be back to pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen.