“The Republican Party I know and love is the party of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan.
“I wear a bracelet bearing the name of a fallen hero, Matthew Stanley, which his mother, Lynn, gave me in 2007, at a town hall meeting in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. His memory and the memory of our great leaders deserve better from me.
“In recent days, Donald Trump disparaged a fallen soldier’s parents. He has suggested that the likes of their son should not be allowed in the United States — to say nothing of entering its service. I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement. I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.
“Make no mistake: I do not valorize our military out of some unfamiliar instinct. I grew up in a military family, and have my own record of service, and have stayed closely engaged with our armed forces throughout my public career. In the American system, the military has value only inasmuch as it protects and defends the liberties of the people.
“My father was a career naval officer, as was his father. For hundreds of years, every generation of McCains has served the United States in uniform.
“My sons serve today, and I’m proud of them. My youngest served in the war that claimed Captain Khan’s life as well as in Afghanistan. I want them to be proud of me. I want to do the right thing by them and their comrades.
“Humayun Khan did exactly that — and he did it for all the right reasons. This accomplished young man was not driven to service as a United States Army officer because he was compelled to by any material need. He was inspired as a young man by his reading of Thomas Jefferson — and he wanted to give back to the country that had taken him and his parents in as immigrants when he was only two years old.
“Captain Khan’s death in Iraq, on June 8th, 2004, was a shining example of the valor and bravery inculcated into our military. When a suicide bomber accelerated his vehicle toward a facility with hundreds of American soldiers, Captain Khan ordered his subordinates away from the danger.
“Then he ran toward it.
“The suicide bomber, striking prematurely, claimed the life of Captain Khan — and Captain Khan, through his selfless action and sacrifice, saved the lives of hundreds of his brothers and sisters.
“Scripture tells us that ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’
“Captain Humayun Khan of the United States Army showed in his final moments that he was filled and motivated by this love. His name will live forever in American memory, as an example of true American greatness.
“In the end, I am morally bound to speak only to the things that command my allegiance, and to which I have dedicated my life’s work: the Republican Party, and more importantly, the United States of America. I will not refrain from doing my utmost by those lights simply because it may benefit others with whom I disagree.
“I claim no moral superiority over Donald Trump. I have a long and well-known public and private record for which I will have to answer at the Final Judgment, and I repose my hope in the promise of mercy and the moderation of age. I challenge the nominee to set the example for what our country can and should represent.
“Arizona is watching. It is time for Donald Trump to set the example for our country and the future of the Republican Party. While our Party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us.
“Lastly, I’d like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Khan: thank you for immigrating to America. We’re a better country because of you. And you are certainly right; your son was the best of America, and the memory of his sacrifice will make us a better nation — and he will never be forgotten.”
Every time Donald Trump says something wrong or does not correct something said that is wrong he takes a hit from the media. His poll numbers go up but the media sits in judgment predicting his downfall, but it hasn’t happened yet and one has to wonder will it every happen? He has insulted the Mexicans, John McCain, Megyn Kelley, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush’s wife and President Barack Obama and he has never apologized. He is a man in own opinion who is never wrong and his followers love him. As they say if it “ain’t broke don’t fix it” and this is working for him so accept the fact that apology is not in his dictionary neither is humility.
“Our father, Donald J. Trump is a true visionary and a great mentor,” Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump said in the statement. “He is a brilliant negotiator with a proven track record of getting things done. Most importantly, he is an incredible dad and role model. He raised us to work hard and strive for excellence in all that we do.”
No one is questioning Donald Trump’s parenting style. Insults a war hero, tells a packed house and millions watching the personal phone number of another candidate and calls illegal immigrants “murderers and rapist”. Might be Father of the Year but will never be President of the United States.
In 2008 John McCain unleashed Sarah Palin on us. She was a self-proclaimed Grizzly Mom. She offered blunt, tough talk. She clearly relished her role as attack dog. She questioned candidate Barack Obama’s patriotism but the party loved her. After the election she was able to become a Fox news contributor and a sought after speaker. Her crazy talk turned into a career. Now in 2015 Trump has no respect his crazy talk has been elevated to another level. Trump’s comments about John McCain were despicable but Trump has refused to apologize. Trump is constantly running his mouth but I’m sorry is not a part of his verbal arsenal. Trump double downed on his position in USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/07/19/donald-trump-republican-party-presidential-candidate-editorials-debates/30389993/) Trump is not going to change. He is the King of Crazy Talk. His followers are not the crazies and in reality he is not truly crazy. He is doing want an entertainer does. He is simply giving the people what they want. He is a side show and perhaps the show will be over soon.
In 2012 Donald Trump embraced birtherism. He questioned the President’s citizenship and he was invited on the major networks (NBC and Fox embraced him) to share his claims. The Republican candidates including Mitt Romney came to New York to kiss his rink and hopefully get his endorsement. Very few of them challenged him on the birther issue. When he announced his run for the presidency this past June he insulted the Hispanic community. He labeled some of them as rapist and murders and he said some might be good people. Some candidates rejected his harsh rhetoric, but others stayed silent. Still in awe of the Trump brand and the chance that once he parks his circus car he might toss them a bone. So yesterday when he struck out at John McCain he could not have foreseen the universal disdain that he is receiving. Trump a man who received 4 deferments had the nerve to challenge a former POW who was held captive for over 5 years. Trump has declared that McCain was captured and he likes people who were not captured. So why did this strike such a strident cord? Could it be that this is the first time he has gone after someone who the majority see as a “True American”? Sadly, there are still people in this country who truly believe the President was born in Kenya, and if you follow that line of thinking Trump was regarded as a truth teller. There is also a group of people who believe illegal immigrants are potential criminals, but you would be hard pressed to find too many people that would agree with his characterization of a real American, John McCain.
Donald Trump is an arrogant tough talking loudmouth. He is thin skinned and will attack anyone that crosses him. His blunt talk has been cheered by many, but today he might have let his mouth talk him into a fight he can not win. It is one thing to beat up and belittle the illegal immigrants, but it is another thing to belittle a POW. You can’t do it and most people with a modicum of good sense know it, but not The Donald. He thought it was going to just be another witty Trumpism, but it is not. A person who has never served a day for their country definitely has no right to question the service of someone who was captured by the enemy and lived to tell it. Trump is a know it all but obviously he did not know this is just wrong.
Ted Cruz is the darling of conservatives. He talks tough and he does not mind stepping on toes, even the toes of members of his own party. Yesterday he spoke about three of the last GOP presidential contenders. He spoke sarcastically about President Dole, President McCain and President Romney. McCain said he could take the insults, but Bob Dole should be off limits. Ninety year old Dole fought valiantly in World War II and sustained injuries that have effected his entire life. It takes a special kind of person to hurl an insert at Dole, and that special person is Cruz who can talk about patriotism, but obviously he can’t recognize a real patriot when he sees one.
Hillary Clinton is a powerful woman who over the years has shown extreme grace under fire. She was her husband’s biggest supporter even when it was undeserved. She was one of the first women to run for president that had the credentials to actually hold office. She is a role model for strong women. She has been under fire since the Benghazi tragedy. The Republicans have been itching for an opportunity to let loose at the President or any of his representatives. Mitt Romney unsuccessfully tried to use the tragedy against the president. John McCain used it to successfully torpedo Susan Rice’s aspiration for Secretary of State. So today when Hillary Clinton appeared before the Senate they knew this was their time to shine. It was a time for the backbenchers to sit in the judgment seat as they took potshots at someone who has actually had to lead. No stone was too sharp and no blow too low, but when Hillary Clinton responded to one of their pointed questions by saying “what difference does it make?” I knew that would be the right wing takeaway. She meant at this point what difference does it make? She was saying we need to look at the situation and develop ways to insure that this does not happen again. She was not minimizing the incident she was trying to give it a perspective, and that was not on the agenda today. Today was about having a public flogging and they would have prefered if she had stayed silent as they hurled their verbal abuse, but if that was the expectation they have not met the unsinkable Hillary Rodham-Clinton.
