New York’s Rep. Richard Hanna became the first Republican member of Congress to announce support for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump.
Rep. Hanna said that Trump’s attacks on the Khan family made him feel “incensed…I was stunned by the callousness of his comments,” and noted, “I think Trump is a national embarrassment. Is he really the guy you want to have the nuclear codes?”
Rep. Hanna further explained, “Where do we draw the line? I thought it would have been when he alleged that U.S. Sen. John McCain was not a war hero because he was caught. Or the countless other insults he’s proudly lobbed from behind the Republican presidential podium.”
“For me, it is not enough to simply denounce his comments: He is unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country…I can’t look back in my life when I leave this job and know that I didn’t speak the truth when it was important to do so.”
“While I disagree with her on many issues, I will vote for Mrs. Clinton. I will be hopeful and resolute in my belief that being a good American who loves his country is far more important than parties or winning and losing. I trust she can lead.”
We’ve arrived at a moment in history that will be career-defining for Republicans, and Rep. Hanna has rightfully chosen patriotism and country over bigotry and partisanship.
But yet, many prominent Republicans who have condemned the attacks on the Khan family continue to support Donald Trump for President. One question remains for them: What more do you need to hear from your nominee that would get you to rescind your support?
Donald Trump insulted millions of Latinos by calling them criminals and “rapists”, yet Sen. Marco Rubio — once known as a leader in the immigrant and Latino communities — was insisting as recently as last weekend that “we have to make sure that Donald wins this election.”
Donald Trump insulted Sen. John McCain’s war service and Gold Star families like the Khans, yet Sen. McCain continues to remain in support of his candidacy.
Donald Trump has consistently revealed himself to be bankrupt in every sense of the word, a cowardly bully unfit for the Presidency. Right now, Republicans have an opportunity to rescind their support for his candidacy, or be forever defined like a scarlet letter as someone who chose Donald Trump over country.
