'Highly offensive:' GOP lawmakers distance selves from Trump

[webfact]

'Highly offensive:' GOP lawmakers distance selves from Trump
By ERICA WERNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dismayed Republicans scrambled for cover Tuesday from Donald Trump's inflammatory response to the Orlando massacre, while President Barack Obama and Democrat Hillary Clinton delivered fiery denunciations that underscored the potential peril for the GOP.

Republican hopes are fading for a new, "more presidential" Trump as the party's divisions around him grow ever more acute.

Clinton, campaigning in Pittsburgh, said, "We don't need conspiracy theories and pathological self-congratulations. We need leadership and concrete plans because we are facing a brutal enemy."

In Washington, Obama said of Muslim-Americans: "Are we going to start subjecting them to special surveillance? Are we going to discriminate against them because of their faith?" After meeting with counterterrorism officials, a stern-faced Obama said: "We heard these suggestions during the course of this campaign. Do Republican officials actually agree with this? Because that's not the America we want."

Several of Trump's fellow Republicans clearly did not agree with him. They were nearly as unsparing as the Democrats in their criticism of his boundary-pushing response Monday to the killing of 49 people at a gay club in Orlando, Florida, by an American-born Muslim who pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group.

Among other things, Trump suggested moderate Muslims and perhaps even Obama himself might sympathize with radical elements. He renewed his call to temporarily ban foreign Muslims from entering the country, and added a new element: a suspension of immigration from areas of the world with a proven history of terrorism against the U.S. and its allies.

"Mr. Trump seems to be suggesting that the president is one of them, I find that highly offensive, I find that whole line of reasoning way off-base," said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. "Mr. Trump's reaction to declare war on the faith is the worst possible solution."

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said Trump's comments could be used to radicalize uneducated Muslims.

"I guess I appreciate Mr. Trump's fieriness in talking about it, and strength, but you don't do it by alienating the very people we need and those are moderate Muslims," said Kinzinger. "To use religion as a test, to say we're going to discriminate against all Muslims, is so counterproductive it really almost doesn't deserve being talked about."

Trump responded to Obama's criticism in a statement saying: "President Obama claims to know our enemy, and yet he continues to prioritize our enemy over our allies, and for that matter, the American people. When I am president, it will always be America First."

House Republicans said they would meet with Trump on July 7.

The lawmakers' reactions underscored an atmosphere of anxiety and unease among Republicans on Capitol Hill, who hoped to see Trump moderate his impulses in the weeks since clinching the nomination. The presidency and control of Congress are at stake in November.

Instead the opposite has occurred as the billionaire businessman has stoked one controversy after another and shows no sign of slowing down.

One senior Senate Republican, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, went so far as to suggest Trump might not end up as the party's nominee after all.

"We do not have a nominee until after the convention," Alexander asserted in response to a question. Reminded that Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee, Alexander retorted: "That's what you say."

Other congressional Republicans claimed, improbably, not to have heard what Trump said. "I just don't know what he was talking about, I frankly don't know what you're talking about. I hadn't heard it," said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, in response to a question about Trump's suggestions about Obama.

As he has in the past, House Speaker Paul Ryan denounced Trump's plans, saying: "I do not think a Muslim ban is in our country's interest. I do not think it is reflective of our principles not just as a party, but as a country. And I think the smarter way to go in all respects is to have a security test and not a religious test."

Ryan, who endorsed Trump only recently after a lengthy delay as he grappled with the implications of the celebrity businessman's candidacy, ignored shouted questions about whether he stood by his support. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters he would not be commenting Tuesday about Trump.

"I continue to be discouraged by the direction of the campaign and comments that are made," said Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. Monday's Trump address was not "the type of speech that one would give that wants to lead this country through difficult times."

For many Republicans the prospect of continually facing questions about Trump was plainly wearing thin.

"I'm just not going to comment on more of his statements. It's going to be five months of it," said Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming.

Said Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina: "What Trump does or says, every time he says something doesn't mean I have to have an answer for it."

___

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Lerer and Richard Lardner contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-06-15

[brewsterbudgen]

It would be nice to think that this marks the beginning of the end for his campaign and the end of any prospect of a President Trump.

[Pimay1]

Of course they distance themselves from Trump. He's about to disrupt their little gold mines of lobbyist and special interest groups.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

[little mary sunshine]

Trump is a little over the top

But on the right track. Those

Pussy ass members of our

Self serving congress should

Have the balls to be more like

Him.

[Pinot]

When the wingnuts think you've gone too far for even them...

Trump and his burning dumpster fire of a campaign.

[AYJAYDEE]

Trump is a little over the top

But on the right track. Those

Pussy ass members of our

Self serving congress should

Have the balls to be more like

Him.

i hope your right in the republicans case. they'll all be out of a job! lol

[kamahele]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

I think Winston is turning over in his grave over the comparison.

[mrfill]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

That was when Churchill was warning about that bloke with the silly haircut that wanted to persecute a group of immigrants for their religious beliefs.

You know, the one in Berlin...

A very valid comparison.

[kamahele]

Of course they distance themselves from Trump. He's about to disrupt their little gold mines of lobbyist and special interest groups.

If you think that Trump as president will somehow disrupt the money flowing into Washington, you are sadly mistaken. He is a money grubbing little monster. If he does anything, it will be to try and divert the money to himself, his family or his businesses.

[brewsterbudgen]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

Blaming it on the politicians of the 1950s is a bit of stretch! A more considered (dare I say "Obama-esque") reaction to 9-11 might have worked out better.

[watso63]

GO TRUMP. The only presidential candidate prepared to tackle the cancer that is Islam. There simply is no such thng as a moderate muslim. They submit to allah, the words and teachings of their paedophile warmongering prophet Muhammed via the Quran. They want sharia law imposed and to conquer the world in the name of their religion. Many examples from their imams preaching such nonesense on the internet. Apologists and facilitators of these people simply do not understand they will never integrate or conform to free speech and other wonderful western values.

[AYJAYDEE]

GO TRUMP. The only presidential candidate prepared to tackle the cancer that is Islam. There simply is no such thng as a moderate muslim. They submit to allah, the words and teachings of their paedophile warmongering prophet Muhammed via the Quran. They want sharia law imposed and to conquer the world in the name of their religion. Many examples from their imams preaching such nonesense on the internet. Apologists and facilitators of these people simply do not understand they will never integrate or conform to free speech and other wonderful western values.

tackle them how?

[yardrunner]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

To compare Donald Trump to Winston Churchill is a terrible idea, with the anti Muslim rhetoric of Donald Trump it would be better to compare him to Adolf Hitler and his attitude to the Jews

[Pimay1]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

To compare Donald Trump to Winston Churchill is a terrible idea, with the anti Muslim rhetoric of Donald Trump it would be better to compare him to Adolf Hitler and his attitude to the Jews

Here are a couple of things Churchill had to say about muslims.

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism [sic] lays on its votaries!”

“…Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step…” If it were not for Christianity, “sheltered in the strong arms of science,” then “the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/ukip-couldnt-better-what-winston-churchill-had-to-say-about-muslims-10016880.html

[AYJAYDEE]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

To compare Donald Trump to Winston Churchill is a terrible idea, with the anti Muslim rhetoric of Donald Trump it would be better to compare him to Adolf Hitler and his attitude to the Jews

Here are a couple of things Churchill had to say about muslims.

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism [sic] lays on its votaries!”

“…Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step…” If it were not for Christianity, “sheltered in the strong arms of science,” then “the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/ukip-couldnt-better-what-winston-churchill-had-to-say-about-muslims-10016880.html

oh yeah he was a lovely guy! lol

http://harpers.org/blog/2010/11/churchills-dark-side-six-questions-for-madhusree-mukerjee/

[stevenl]

It becomes more and more clear, for those that did not realise it yet, that Trump in no way represents the Republican political party.

[mrwebb8825]

"And I think the smarter way to go in all respects is to have a security test and not a religious test."

We had a security test. It let the people in San Bernidino in, it let the terrorists from 9/11 in, it let the parents of this latest guy in AND it investigated this latest guy and found nothing. How many must die before the security test is called a failure and some else gets tried?.

[AYJAYDEE]

"And I think the smarter way to go in all respects is to have a security test and not a religious test."

We had a security test. It let the people in San Bernidino in, it let the terrorists from 9/11 in, it let the parents of this latest guy in AND it investigated this latest guy and found nothing. How many must die before the security test is called a failure and some else gets tried?.

what do u suggest?

[mrwebb8825]

It becomes more and more clear, for those that did not realise it yet, that Trump in no way represents the Republican political party.

Donald doesn't represent either party, He represents the people. Guess they'll realize this right after the election as they line up on their knees begging President Trump to keep their jobs.

[mrwebb8825]

"And I think the smarter way to go in all respects is to have a security test and not a religious test."

We had a security test. It let the people in San Bernidino in, it let the terrorists from 9/11 in, it let the parents of this latest guy in AND it investigated this latest guy and found nothing. How many must die before the security test is called a failure and some else gets tried?.

what do u suggest?

Freedom of religion is all well and good and when it was written into the laws of America, Islam was an unknown. Maybe it's time to start updating things from the 1700s to incorporate the 21st century. How could it be construed as a restriction of religious freedom to monitor mosques? Not posting guards around the place and following all the attendees around but simply listening to what they're saying. IF they are all truly peace-loving and anti-terrorist, wouldn't it behoove them to allow and even insist on something like that?

Before anyone goes postal on me, ever try to walk into a mosque? I'd bet dollars to donuts you wouldn't be allowed to. Why? Anyone in America can walk into a Catholic church, a Baptist church, a Mormon church and be welcomed. Why not a Mosque? What are they hiding?

[AYJAYDEE]

"And I think the smarter way to go in all respects is to have a security test and not a religious test."

We had a security test. It let the people in San Bernidino in, it let the terrorists from 9/11 in, it let the parents of this latest guy in AND it investigated this latest guy and found nothing. How many must die before the security test is called a failure and some else gets tried?.

what do u suggest?

Freedom of religion is all well and good and when it was written into the laws of America, Islam was an unknown. Maybe it's time to start updating things from the 1700s to incorporate the 21st century. How could it be construed as a restriction of religious freedom to monitor mosques? Not posting guards around the place and following all the attendees around but simply listening to what they're saying. IF they are all truly peace-loving and anti-terrorist, wouldn't it behoove them to allow and even insist on something like that?

Before anyone goes postal on me, ever try to walk into a mosque? I'd bet dollars to donuts you wouldn't be allowed to. Why? Anyone in America can walk into a Catholic church, a Baptist church, a Mormon church and be welcomed. Why not a Mosque? What are they hiding?

lol! so they would go underground! then you would want surveillance etc etc etc and soon enough your vaunted constitution would be in shreds

[stevenl]

It becomes more and more clear, for those that did not realise it yet, that Trump in no way represents the Republican political party.

Donald doesn't represent either party, He represents the people. Guess they'll realize this right after the election as they line up on their knees begging President Trump to keep their jobs.

If the does not represent the Republican Party, then why is he their representative?

[Publicus]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

If Trump took an occasional nip as Winston did (with regularity) he might have a more settled state of mind and emotions.

As it is Trump is wild and over ripe to include so much more that make him 100% antithetical to being the measured and responsible leader Potus is and must be. Trump does have a great deal in common with Benito Mussolini.

GW Bush is a recovering alcoholic but Donald Trump considers there isn't anything about him that needs a recovery or revisiting.

If Republicans running for Senate, the House, governorships and other state offices to include legislatures and county offices believe they can get through the next five months dismissing inquiries to them about Donald Trump as the Republican party nominee for Potus they'd need to sober up politically.

Trump's megalomania begs the question of how the person who's never touched a drop and hasn't ever held political office would know when he's become drunk on power. He's well on his way now so someone needs to tell him but then again Trump listens to no one (to include the wife).

Trump is actually on his own in this. The lone wolf candidate out of his lair.

[Berkshire]

"And I think the smarter way to go in all respects is to have a security test and not a religious test."

We had a security test. It let the people in San Bernidino in, it let the terrorists from 9/11 in, it let the parents of this latest guy in AND it investigated this latest guy and found nothing. How many must die before the security test is called a failure and some else gets tried?.

what do u suggest?

Freedom of religion is all well and good and when it was written into the laws of America, Islam was an unknown. Maybe it's time to start updating things from the 1700s to incorporate the 21st century.

Hmmm, I wondered the same about the 2nd amendment. Wouldn't you agree?

[elgordo38]

It would be nice to think that this marks the beginning of the end for his campaign and the end of any prospect of a President Trump.

GOP infighting a good start. Looks like king Trump is headed for a fall of his own making. Can a person really stumble and fall over their own words and become a fatality? Of politics that is.

[pitrevie]

Many didn't want to hear and heed the warnings of Winston either during an earlier time about a growing menace to their societies and way of life. They thought it was easier to just bury their heads in the sand and get on with their comfortable lives. How well did that work out for them...

To compare Donald Trump to Winston Churchill is a terrible idea, with the anti Muslim rhetoric of Donald Trump it would be better to compare him to Adolf Hitler and his attitude to the Jews

Here are a couple of things Churchill had to say about muslims.

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism [sic] lays on its votaries!”

“…Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step…” If it were not for Christianity, “sheltered in the strong arms of science,” then “the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/ukip-couldnt-better-what-winston-churchill-had-to-say-about-muslims-10016880.html

I think you need to read this http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11314580/Sir-Winston-Churchill-s-family-feared-he-might-convert-to-Islam.html

In October 1940, as Britain faced its darkest hour against Nazi Germany, Churchill approved plans to build a mosque in central London and set aside £100,000 for the project. He continued to back the building of what became the London Central Mosque in Regent’s Park – which he hoped would win support for Britain in the Muslim world at a crucial moment – even in the face of public criticism.

In December 1941, he told the House of Commons: “Many of our friends in Muslim countries all over the East have already expressed great appreciation of this gift.”

[sgtsabai]

Beg to differ, Muslims were well known to the founders of our country, who where, for those idiots that know nothing about nothing, very secular. Do some research. No, not bratbart of the faux christian charlatan posing as a historian.

[wabothai]

trump is there for show only.

That evil Clinton woman has been chosen by the big boys all along. No way will they have flees like trump in their coats.

[Johnpound46]

It becomes more and more clear, for those that did not realise it yet, that Trump in no way represents the Republican political party.

Donald doesn't represent either party, He represents the people. Guess they'll realize this right after the election as they line up on their knees begging President Trump to keep their jobs.

Donald represents the people? You must be delusional. The Donald is a spoiled rich brat who fell ass backwards in money the minute he was born. He is a power and money hungry billionaire who doesn't know his ass from his elbow when it comes to running a country, and he's never shown any sign that he cares about "the people", quite the contrary.