I hate to say this, but it may be the beginning of the end for Donald Trump – although I wouldn’t bet on it.
Considering that his grotesque comments about Mexican immigrants actually raised his stock among a certain category of Republicans, it’s hard to say where his latest comments about John McCain will lead his campaign. Logic says he shouldn’t be able to survive it — veterans are a sacrosanct (at least rhetorically) talking point in the conservative lexicon.
Trump, who got tons of draft deferments during the Vietnam War, said this about the Arizona Senator this Saturday:
“He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”
GOP presidential rivals and politicians (except Ted Cruz, so far), conservative writers and pundits, all pretty much lashed out on social media at Trump for crossing a line that no one thought would be crossed.
Look:
If you deny that John McCain is a war hero, you are completely and utterly unfit to be the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
— Kevin Eder (@keder) July 18, 2015
The difference between @SenJohnMcCain and @realDonaldTrump: Trump shot himself down. McCain and American veterans are true heroes. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 18, 2015
After Donald Trump spends six years in a POW camp, he can weigh in on John McCain’s service
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero & all POW’s deserve our nation’s highest debt of gratitude. @realDonaldTrump‘s comments are disgraceful. — Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) July 18, 2015
If there was ever any doubt that @realDonaldTrump should not be our commander in chief, this stupid statement should end all doubt.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 18, 2015
Enough with the slanderous attacks. @SenJohnMcCain and all our veterans – particularly POWs have earned our respect and admiration. — Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 18, 2015
America’s POWs deserve much better than to have their service questioned by the offensive rantings of Donald Trump
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 18, 2015
I don’t always see eye to eye with @SenJohnMcCain. But I honor his service and the sacrifices he made for our country. — Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 18, 2015
I know @SenJohnMcCain. Senator John McCain is an American hero. Period. Stop.
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) July 18, 2015
.@SenJohnMcCain served w honor&courage-proud to call him a friend. GOP voters deserve better than outrageous statements & personal attacks. — Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) July 18, 2015
Advice to @realDonaldTrump: Apologize for this pronto. Otherwise beginning of end. Trump Attacks McCain for Being POW https://t.co/0goAc6mHb8
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 18, 2015
Saying John McCain is a terrible Senator does not give you license to attack his service to the country in the military. — Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) July 18, 2015
Featured image via The Federalist
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