In a press release that was most definitely approved by President “I don’t have any f*cks left to give” Obama, the White House responded to Donald Trump allowing a racist supporter to declare “President Obama is a Muslim, he’s not even American,” with no condemnation from the presidential hopeful.
"People who hold these offensive views are part of Mr. Trump's base," Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Monday morning. "Mr. Trump himself would be the first to tell you that he's got the biggest base of any Republican politician these days.”
Earnest went on to note that it’s “too bad” Trump wasn’t able to summon the same kind of “patriotism” that Senator John McCain mustered when he shut down a similar type of crazy at an event in 2008.
He then condemned the entire Republican party, asserting that they want to pander to their racist and hateful base.
“Now what is also unfortunate is that Mr. Trump isn't the first Republican politician to countenance these kinds of views in order to win votes. In fact, that is precisely what every Republican presidential candidate is doing when they decline to denounce Mr. Trump's cynical strategy, because they are looking for those same votes.”
He didn’t just say it though. He also gave examples.
“Now other Republicans have successfully used this strategy as well. You will recall that one Republican congressman told a reporter that he was David Duke without the baggage. That congressman was elected by a majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives to the third highest-ranking position in the House. Those same members of Congress blocked immigration reform. Those same members of Congress oppose reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Those same members of Congress couldn't support a simple funding bill because they are eager to defend the Confederate flag.
So those are the priorities of today's Republican Party. And they will continue to be until someone in the Republican Party decides to summon the courage to stand up and change it."
This comes a day after Trump’s rival for the Republican presidential nomination Ben Carson went on Meet the Press and stated that he had no desire to see a Muslim president of the United States.
“Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson’s remarks that a Muslim should not lead the United States are inconsistent with the US constitution and warrant consequences,” Earnest also stated on Monday.
"I think the views articulated by Dr. Carson are entirely inconsistent with the Constitution that does actually guarantee the freedom of religion in this country.”
Earnest went on to say that Carson will face “consequences” with voters over his remarks. The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has also called on Carson to suspend his presidential bid.
