This week Donald Trump made headlines for his xenophobic call for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the United States. Where do the rest of the GOP presidential candidates stand on the Muslim-bashing Trump as their nominee, you ask? They would support him, of course.This may not be surprising when you consider that the GOP presidential candidates have nearly the same extreme rhetoric and out-of-touch policies, but it is down-right disgusting. The Republican Party has truly become the party of Trump.
The GOP’s Failure to Denounce Trump
The RNC
RNC Chair declined to say he would not support Trump as the nominee. “Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Tuesday condemned Donald Trump’s proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States. ‘I don’t agree,’ Priebus said. ‘We need to aggressively take on radical Islamic terrorism but not at the expense of our American values.’ Priebus, speaking to the Washington Examiner during an interview on next week’s televised Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN, joined a growing chorus from within his party that has criticized Trump over his plan to implement a religious test for entry into the country. […] Priebus, pressed further on the implications of Trump’s plan on the future of the GOP and its presumed battle against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the general election, declined to answer. ‘That’s as far as I’m going to go,’ he said, referring to his initial answer.’” [Washington Examiner, 12/8/15]
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz: “I will absolutely support the Republican nominee.” “Senator Ted Cruz said Tuesday he disagrees with Donald Trump on temporarily banning Muslims from entering the U.S., but he refused to repudiate his Republican presidential rival. ‘I disagree with that proposal,’ Cruz said. ‘I like Donald Trump.’ […] Cruz said he’d still support Trump or any other nominee. ‘I will absolutely support the Republican nominee and I hope and intend for that nominee to be me,’ he said.” [Bloomberg, 12/8/15]
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio on Donald Trump’s potential nomination: “I’m going to support the Republican nominee.” GANGEL: “Jeb Bush says Donald Trump has dangerous views on national security and he has grave doubts about him as Commander in Chief. […] If he’s the nominee, would you enthusiastically support him?” RUBIO: “Well, I’m going to support the Republican nominee, and I’m comfortable that it’s not going to be Donald Trump, and I’m increasingly confident that it’s going to be me. And so I feel good answering that question.” [CNN’s State of the Union, 10/25/15]
Marco Rubio said he disagreed with Donald Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims entering the United States, but did not denounce Trump as a candidate. “Florida Senator Marco Rubio, among the last of the large Republican field to weigh in, said, ‘I disagree with Donald Trump’s latest proposal. His habit of making offensive and outlandish statements will not bring Americans together.’” [Boston Globe, 12/8/15]
Ben Carson
Ben Carson did not refuse to support Donald Trump as the nominee. TAPPER: “A lot of Republicans have been fearful for a long time that Donald trump would leave the party and run in a third party independent bid. Donald trump tweeted today that a large majority of his supporters would vote for him even if he left the party to run as an independent. It seems a direct threat that he might leave. How much would that hurt the party, do you think, if he didn’t get the nomination and he was running a as a third party candidate? CARSON: Well, I believe that the party has pledged to be fair to him and to be fair to everybody. So I don’t see wherein that would be necessary, quite frankly. Obviously, if the people choose him, I think we have an obligation to respect the will of the people.” [CNN, 12/8/15]
Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush said he would “absolutely” support the Republican nominee, regardless of who it was. TODD: “Well, it doesn’t sound like you can support him if he’s the nominee, why not say it?” BUSH: “Because it’s not going to happen. He’s not going to be the nominee. I will support the republican nominee and I’m working hard to make sure I’m it.” TODD: “So you will support the republican nominee no matter what the voters decide?” BUSH: “Absolutely. It’s not going to be Donald Trump.” [MSNBC, 12/8/15]
Rand Paul
Rand Paul said he would support Donald Trump if he were the Republican nominee for president. “Paul said he would still begrudgingly support Trump if he becomes the Republican nominee. ‘I won’t be enthusiastic about it, I won’t be excited about it, but what I have said is I will support the nominee.’” [Yahoo News, 12/8/15]
Chris Christie
Chris Christie said earlier this month that he would support Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president. BRZEZINSKI: “All right, I have some questions that we got off Facebook for you. Rapid fire.” CHRISTIE: “Rapid fire.” BRZEZINSKI: “Will you support Trump if he’s the nominee?” CHRISTIE: “Yes.” [MSNBC’s Morning Joe, 12/1/15]
John Kasich
John Kasich on the day before Donald Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States: “I signed a pledge that I would support the Republican [nominee.]” TAPPER: “On that line of criticism against the front-runner, Donald Trump, “The Washington Post” this morning in an editorial is calling for Republican leaders, Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, you, to state publicly that you would never endorse or vote for Trump. They feel like he is that negative an influence in American politics. Are you willing to do that?” KASICH: “Jake, I signed a pledge that I would support the Republican — I think that’s what we did at the first debate when we raised our hands. But, look, I have to tell you, I have been — I have been all over New Hampshire. I have had 37 town hall meetings and a zillion other meetings there. And I believe that Donald Trump will not be the nominee.” [CNN, 12/6/15]
Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina on Donald Trump: “I will support whoever the nominee of the Republican Party is.” GAYLE KING: “If Mister Trump becomes the nominee, would you support him?” CARLY FIORINA: “I will support whoever the nominee of the Republican Party is.” [CBS’ This Morning, 8/12/15]
Carly Fiorina called Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the United States an “over reaction” but did not denounce him as a candidate. “The former Hewlett-Packard CEO drew a parallel with the speech President Obama gave Sunday night in the wake of the California attacks. ‘Unfortunately. I think Donald Trump’s over reaction is as dangerous as Obama’s under reaction,’ Fiorina said.” [NJ Advance Media, 12/8/15]