Release: Tuesday, June 7, 2016
While Republicans in Other States Flee Trump and Party, Deal and Perdue Set to Host Fundraiser for Donald Trump
Atlanta, GA – Days after Donald Trump made shocking, racist remarks that Hispanic-American judges and Muslim-American judges were incapable of ruling without bias, Republican leaders in other states are fleeing both the candidate and the GOP.
But not here in Georgia.
Gov. Nathan Deal and Senator David Perdue are set to host a private fundraiser for Trump next week in Atlanta.
Worse yet, Senator Perdue and Senator Johnny Isakson both refuse to denounce Trump’s comments. From the AJC:
“I think the sooner we get this behind us and we can talk about the issues where he does have the high ground the better off we’d be,” Perdue said. “And I think you may see that coming out in the next day or two.”
Meanwhile, Johnny Isakson, Georgia’s senior U.S. senator, said he didn’t make much of Trump’s comments.
“I just think talking about a pending case in court if you’re a defendant or a plaintiff, the conversations ought to be in the courtroom and not outside,” he said.
“How much more will it take for Governor Deal and Senators Isakson and Perdue to place decency and civility above politics. This is pretty cut and dry. Even Republicans in other states have called out these comments for what they are—racist and divisive. Georgia GOP leaders should condemn these remarks and hold their new standard bearer accountable.” – Michael Smith, Communications Director.
Iowa GOP lawmaker dumps party to protest Trump
Des Moines Register
State Sen. David Johnson, one of the senior members of the Iowa Senate, says he has suspended his Republican Party membership to protest “the racist remarks and judicial jihad” by presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
… “I will not stand silent if the party of Lincoln and the end of slavery buckles under the racial bias of a bigot,” Johnson said, referring to Trump. His criticism was prompted by Trump’s comments that federal Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel, who is presiding over a lawsuit involving the now-closed Trump University, was biased because of his Mexican heritage.
Graham calls on Republicans to un-endorse Trump
Politico
If ever there were a moment for Republicans to jump off the Trump train, now would be as good of a time, according to South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Graham wants fellow Republicans who have endorsed Donald Trump to take it all back in the wake of his repeated claims that Judge Gonzalo Curiel’s heritage make him unfit to preside over lawsuits against him.
“This is the most un-American thing from a politician since Joe McCarthy,” Graham told The New York Times. “If anybody was looking for an off-ramp, this is probably it,” he added.
Sen. Mark Kirk withdraws support for Trump
Chicago Sun-Times
Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., facing a big challenge from Rep. Tammy Duckworth D-Ill., said Tuesday he will not support presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump after earlier saying he will back him.
“I cannot and will not support my party’s nominee for President regardless of the political impact on my candidacy or the Republican Party,” Kirk said in a statement, where he also said Trump did not have the temperament to command the U.S. military or take control of nuclear weapons.
“After much consideration, I have concluded that Donald Trump has not demonstrated the temperament necessary to assume the greatest office in the world,” said Kirk…
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