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Trump campaign asks Capitol Hill for support in Khan controversy

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At the same time, the aide said the controversy would probably not cause Republican senators to withdraw their endorsements of Trump.

As The New Republic states in a recent article: "Donald Trump’s increasingly grotesque behavior is not just the defining aspect of his presidential campaign, it’s an ongoing test of character for the elected Republicans who have endorsed him."

Trump keeps lowering the bar, and the GOP gets deeper into the sewer with him. Decent Americans have to believe there will come a limit to what they can tolerate from this utterly unfit candidate.

22 ( +24 / -2 )

But, Should it make a difference if he was black, white, hispanic, christian or muslim

I totally agree - it should not. Trump has made it a difference, and don't pretend otherwise. It is Trump who has placed the distinction on Americans and Americans*.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

What about the Smith and the Woods families? Hillary calls them liars.

No, MarkG, Clinton didn't call them liars. She said they were wrong in making the assumptions that they did about the Benghazi attack. To say someone is mistaken, as opposed to saying they are a liar, well, those are two vastly different things, no matter how much you would like to believe they are the same.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

once again Trump speaks without thinking, insults another group of people/Americans and then demands "what about me" failing to understand why there is a backlash. Trump isnt the new messiah that is going to change and challenge the establishment, Trump is about Trump and about changing the world to his racist intolerant views. This guy as POTUS will make the damage done by Bush look like a picnic. If peoples hatred of Clinton is the base of support for Trump then I truly pity America.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

@mr_jgb

I'm sorry, but Pat Smith just sounded incoherent and seemed to be repeating Republican sound bites regarding Benghazi. It's hard to blame her considering the persistence of the Republicans on the matter, despite their own failure to prove anything. Here's an objective look at what we know about Clinton's "lies" about Benghazi:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/18/checking-patricia-smiths-claims-about-clinton-and-/

The Republicans have wanted to take down the Clintons since the 90s. There's no reason to believe they didn't do their best with the Benghazi investigations, and they failed to prove any wrongdoing almost a dozen times.

http://benghazicommittee.com/benghazi-by-the-numbers/

They persist on what I think is BS but what you have to at least admit is hard to prove issues like Benghazi, because they don't have a leg to stand on regarding her easier, more obvious weaknesses; hawkishness and ties to big money. Meanwhile, they prevent people like Pat Smith from getting closure and keep them in anguish for political purposes.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I felt bad for Pat Smith. She has grief over the loss of her son and the GOP puts her up there to give inaccurate information on Benghazi and think her grief will be some kind of bulletproof vest for them. They know what she's saying isn't true, but they put her in front of a microphone to try to make their bullshit stick. It was just depressing to watch.

MarkG: Hillary still deny's she lied the the families she disrespected.

You have what amounts to different versions of the story from multiple people during a time of grief and changing intelligence. Some family members' accounts directly support Clinton. And some directly support Smith. Most reasonable people who see the evidence realize there's no way to make a perfect case for either side. Research it for yourself and let me know what you think when you're done.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

if Trump had half a brain (and that's debatable) he would just let it go. In sound bite America this will be forgotten in a week. I sure by that time he would have found something even more outrageous or stupid to say thus moving the focus. One thing I do find questionable is that any US soldier that dies is immediately raised to the status of a "hero". Without meaning any disrespect to the soldier concerned and the grief his parents surely suffered, he was very unfortunate to be driving a truck at the wrong place and time. I feel the focus should be more on the idiots who sent these soldiers into a senseless war based on lies. The soldier died for a lie and GWB's ego.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Trump with hat in hands begging for help from the Repubs, pathetic. It's unfortunate Repubs have become such traitors to their country and treat their veterans with such disrespect. The Repubs of today would have been treated as Commie spies back in the day due to their love obsession with Russia and Easter Bloc thieves and their hatred of the US military

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Trump has complained he was “viciously” attacked by the couple

I don't understand why he doesn't understand that he should drop it. Even the supporters of He Who Must Not Be Named surely feel that he is making a mistake here.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Rob Wasinger, a onetime congressional candidate who has been working for the Trump camp on congressional outreach, sent an email to senior Senate aides saying, “We want to get several member statements out today on this, and would really appreciate your help.”

In other words, "Trump has dug a big hole for himself and fallen in. Can you help him out?"

MarkGAUG. 02, 2016 - 08:26AM JST

What about the Smith and the Woods families?

Off topic. Find an article about Hillary Clinton and complain about her on that comment thread.

Wc626AUG. 02, 2016 - 09:33AM JST

So why did the DNC make him look special?

Oh, I dunno - because Trump wants to ban Muslims from visiting the US maybe, and they wanted to highlight what a stupid idea it is?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Wc626AUG. 02, 2016 - 09:33AM JST But, Should it make a difference if he was black, white, hispanic, christian or muslim? So why did the DNC make him look special?

The DNC made him look special as a counterpoint to the right-wing bigotry being spewed out of the Trump campaign and its supports which claims Muslims are inherently unamerican, incompatible with democracy, and dangerous. Highlighting a white war hero would do nothing to counter the bigotry constantly on display from the right, so a Muslim hero was chosen to maximize the demonstration of just how wrong bigotry is.

What you're demonstrating is yet another example of how the slogan "All lives matter" is not used to support the sanctity of all life, but specifically to target and silence defenses of people who, because of discrimination against their identities, are told that their lives do not matter.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE “This goes beyond politics. It is about a sense of decency,” it said. “That kind decency you mock as ‘political correctness.’”

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

The Trump campaign is going down in flames. The only question at the moment is just how deep of a crater is his campaign going to leave. Is he going to merely destroy his own reputation? The reputation of the entire Republican Party? The reputation of American conservative thought? Already thinkpieces are being published suggesting that staunchly conservative thinkers are starting to wonder if Trump's domination of the GOP isn't proof of the need to let the party destroy itself and hope maybe at some point in the future build anew. It's probably wise for true conservatives to keep their distance from Trump, but it's even wiser for them to repudiate him and lay the groundwork for a new (to the US) notion of conservativism that isn't quite so wedded to white supremacy.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I agree with Mrs. Khan when she says, “It doesn’t have to do anything with my religion." Patriots are patriots no matter their religion (or if they are atheists). We need to start judging people on the basis of who they are, not their race, religion, sexual orientation, handicaps, and the other unimportant things. The same with immigrants. Screen them carefully, but don't judge them solely on the basis of their race, religion, or the country from which they come. This is the United States of America, a country which (aside from Native Americans) is 100% either immigrants or people whose families were brought here against their will as slaves.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I 'm sure by that time he would have found something even more outrageous or stupid to say thus moving the focus

Oh, he could not wait that long. He now calls Hillary Clinton "the devil".

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Rebuking Trump ultimately means nothing if you keep endorsing him. You can talk about bravery all you like Mr McCain but you're taking the cowards route by refusing to stand up to Trump.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment, and Wasinger refused to comment when contacted by telephone."

Cowards. Can't stand behind what they say, ultimately.

"At the same time, the aide said the controversy would probably not cause Republican senators to withdraw their endorsements of Trump."

Even bigger cowards. They make little lip-service remarks about how they think Trump is wrong, "un-American" in terms of banning an entire religion, and claim Khan's son is an American hero, but then quietly keep on supporting Trump's actions and words all the same. And these same people demand Muslims condemn radical Islamists, and when they do the same people say it's "not enough and they must act". But here they refuse to even accept calls on their comments or lack of action. Well done; classy as always, Republicans.

Wc626: "So why did the DNC make him look special?"

You've been called out on this cut-and-paste argument over the past few days already. They put the family up on stage to show specifically that Trump is wrong about his call to ban all Muslims. Are you suggesting if they starting asking immigrants their opinion on Trump that they cannot have an immigrant do so because it would be 'making them look special'? We know you guys like to answer questions about Republicans with "whataboutobamahillarythelibs...", but what YOU need to understand is that that is not a valid answer, nor does it illustrate anything but your ability to go off-topic, as you have proven again today.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Trump was an able body adult young man during Vietnam war era. Trump as well as Bush, Cheney, Rush Limburgh, Bill Clinton and Ted Nugent avoided compulsory military service with lies! Cheney was so successful as five times escaping from Packing Bags for Vietnam.They are all draft doggers!

Mr Khan died as warrior in war zone. Unlike Trump, he did not have the obligation for the service. Mr Khan may be Muslim. However Americans do not care which God he prayed. Action speaks louder than words. Trump sacrifice is not declaring Income tax and cheating Bond university students! His creation of jobs are questionable.

Mr Khan will be fondly remembered as hero of the heroes. There are many flowers laying on his grave yard.. Mr Trump will be disgustingly remember as fraud, insulting champion and loose cannon when his time has come! If he is lucky, he will get the single rose from Muslim and Mexican Americans.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

RNC & DNC both used a pawn in the name of Pat Smith (a white) and Khizr Khan (a Muslim). Pat Smith was vigorously condemned; she lost her son in the battlefield. Khizr Khan was vigorously supported; he lost his son in the battlefield. Obviously, the main stream media is biased.

When Trump calls for a ban of all white christians to come to the USA, maybe then you would have a valid point. Now the above is simply empty spin.

Republicans, look at your nominee. Take a hard look. And then look at yourself. Can you actually vote for a racist unhinged loser like this. He cannot even handle a statement from a grieving family without turning it into a disaster. He is unfit for any office or job that involves reality. You have nominated what you all deserve, the stupid party (your bobby jindal said this) is now 100% confirmed stupid. A few of you, many republican leaders now for example, may wake up from your delusions about the party and your leader and vote for Hillary, for the good of the country and the world. Or you can vote for disaster and bigotry, for a man that attacks gold star families. A man that cannot even run a campaign let alone a country.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Wow Trump is really, really pushing the limit! He is a done deal and should be - unfortunately the alternative sucks.

@Wc626 - I am no supporter of Trump - at all - but as a veteran I would like to thank you for mentioning that decent Americans should honor the fallen soldier (Khan's son). I also fully agree with your post and really have a hard time understanding why you received so many down votes. I find nothing in your post that would offend anyone.

Yes - in combat all lives do in fact matter - our brothers are Black, White, Asian, Hispanic....Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist....we had all types and every single one of their lives did matter.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Utterly delusional. Even fellow Republicans don't support him on this foolish adventure. I am referring to Khan-gate, but pretty soon it could be equally true of the whole election. Certainly hope so.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Khan remembers Trump said he support all ten articles of constitution. That must be reason Khan asking Trump about constitution.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

well, that is sad

your comment certainly is. wrong on so many levels, not even funny.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

We all know it's MSM driven.

Right, Fizz: Why on earth are people paying attention to the Trump campaign insinuating that the American parents of a fallen American soldier are not really American but instead Islamic terrorist plants and that his own sacrifices in ripping off his employees and contractors somehow equate to the suffering of the Khan family? Absolutely nothing to see here.Total MSM fabrication. (You should copyright that and "rigged" to earn some big cash - it's all you'll hear from now in.)

2 ( +4 / -2 )

FizzBit: "We all know it's MSM driven."

So, you're saying the GOP and Trump don't have wills of their own, they are being controlled by liberals and the media? That's not very flattering. In any case, you're wrong. Trump's mouth is clearly only controlled by his delusional mind, if even that, and that's all. You may be content with Fox cutting out Khan's speech and the reports of the facts (including the scandals involving the founder of the faux news channel), but when the ACTUAL media report things don't be offended that they did not just try and cover it up but told it like it is. You can still stand in front of the mirror and keep telling yourself what you like in order to believe it, though.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It's a battle that he cannot win. Politicians don't attack the family of a veteran who died on the line of duty, let alone the mother. That's why Trump changed his tact today finally.

A way to have treated the issue is just to let it go. Or the way VP nominee Mike Pence:

"Military Mom Asks Mike Pence How Do You Tolerate Trump's Disrespect Towards Veterans"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnNb-T_CJMs

(Although Pence didn't exactly answer the question, it's still better than Trump's way.)

But that was a very bad couple days for Trump such that even psychologists like Dr. Drew are questioning his state of mind - that he cannot just let things go, how he feels he has to respond to all criticisms no matter how inconsequential in the big picture, how he cannot take any criticism at all, how he cannot apologize for anything.

Even Newt Gingrich advises him that if he wants to win this thing, to just stick to 3 or 4 big issues and not let himself always get diverted into every smaller things. He's only making the issue bigger.

It took him 4 days to finally move on. (That is, unless he comes back to it again, like he did with the Megyn Kelly issue.)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Instead, they tout the DNC narrative about the evil racist Trump....

If the shoe fits, I guess you wear it... and in Drumfp's case, he wears it with pride.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The MSM is conservative. Everyone knows that by now. Drugs Limbaugh has millions of listeners a day. Fox News is number one on cable. 90% of newspapers are conservative. The WSJ is radical right.

How the rightwing loons lie to themselves over and over again. Like attacking a family whose son died bravely for his country, at least he thought so, is somehow justified. You can get much lower than that, but lower than even that is where the Trump people like to be.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

zurcronium: "ou can get much lower than that, but lower than even that is where the Trump people like to be."

You'd think so, but Trump is currently outdoing himself as he has just increased the attacks on the Khan family. At least, despite the denial of some on the right wing here, others are finally admitting it and saying they are dropping the GOP and voting for Hilary -- and I'm talking GOP heavyweights here, not just people who were currently voting for them; people actually IN the party! It's priceless!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

FizzBit: "What difference does it make?"

I'm not surprised GOP supporters need to ask themselves this question whenever they feel like they need to stand behind their elected representative. It shows progress. Baby steps, but still progress, my friend.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SerranoAUG. 02, 2016 - 11:09PM JST

And Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis says he served under seven presidents during his active duty, and felt none of them or Donald Trump would leave him on the battlefield, but he can't say the same for Hillary.

Kind of what you'd expect his campaign co-chairman to say, isn't it? I'm not so sure after he makes remarks like this, personally, after being offered a replica Purple Heart:

"I always wanted to get the Purple Heart," Mr Trump said. "This was much easier"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

smithinjapanAUG. 02, 2016 - 04:23PM JST

"The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment, and Wasinger refused to comment when contacted by telephone."

Cowards. Can't stand behind what they say, ultimately.

I imagine they're all sitting at their desks with their heads in their hands or just staring into space, dumbstruck by the flood of garbage that comes pouring from Trump's mouth. It's bad enough having to read or hear it, imagine having to put a positive spin on it.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Trump already moved on next argument. this issue is old for his argument history standard.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Amazing how Hillary voted for the war that killed Khan's son, yet his wrath is directed against Trump instead of her.

Former Obama Defense Intelligence Agency Director (Ret.) Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn says he has reservations about Hillary receiving classified briefings.

And Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis says he served under seven presidents during his active duty, and felt none of them or Donald Trump would leave him on the battlefield, but he can't say the same for Hillary, which is not surprising being as how listening to her speak is like listening to a crocodile trying to convince an animal to swim in its water.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

smithjapoan:

" FizzBit: "We all know it's MSM driven." So, you're saying the GOP and Trump don't have wills of their own, they are being controlled by liberals and the media? That's not very flattering. "

No, Fizzbit was pointing out that the MSM with their DNC bias spins the facts in a way that suits the DNC. And if you had the read some of the Wikileak emails showing how the DNC practically coordinates their talking points with the DNC, that should not surprise you. Do you seriously just consume everything CNN and NYT feed you, without getting a second opinion?

In this particular case, did you CNN, NYC; ABC, NBC et al tell you at all abouit Khizr Khan’s various connections to the law firm that A) prepared Hillary Clinton’s taxes, B) helped with various aspects of Hillary Clinton’s illicit homebrew email server, C) is paid by the government of Saudi Arabia for representation here in the United States, among other things?

Did they?

Did the mainstream media mention at all the fact that Khan now runs a law firm that financially benefits from opposition to Donald Trump’s policies on migration — specifically that he aims to represent aspiring EB5 visa holders, who pay large sums of money to enter the country, a program that the Senate Judiciary Committee has uncovered as having major flaws?

Did they? Or is that all news to you?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@ Smith & Laguna

What difference does it make?

@ Zurc

The MSM is corporate, IMO. And since hillary is shackled to the corporate Wall Street bankster cabal, they will always fall on her side.

You guys really crack me up. Whine about Khan and trump all you want, Hillarys lies/deflection about Russia and the DNC subverting the democratic process is much more important. Oh, BTW, I don't watch FOX. Fail.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

He'd still be alive Super if Bush wasn't able to win Democratic support for the war, and Hillary was a major supporter of it. She's a NeoCon in a Pantsuit.

I'm curious, how does it sit with all you Hillary supporters that some major Republicans and Republican NeoCons, even some who initiated the attack on Iraq, are supporting, campaigning and voting for Hillary?

Richard Armitage, Brent Scowcroft, Alan Steinberg, Kori Schake, Doug Eldest, Jim Ricconi, Charles Fried, Robert Kagan.

You know Robert Kagan right? we'll you should. He pretty much wrote the plan for Bush's Iraq. And then Mr. (Gold Star) Khan gets up on stage supporting Hillary and her new NeoCon friends? Corruption, hypocrisy and lies.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

But Smith, I don't support the GOP. I only support Trump.

FYI

“What difference does it make?” spat Hillary, whether the attack on U.S. diplomats came from a crowd angry about a Youtube film or from an organized terror group exploiting the power vacuum created by the destruction of the Libyan state that Clinton had laughed about.

Wait until more emails come out and you read how Hillary funneled weapons from Libya to Syria and maybe even ISIS a year before this incident. Hillary will not be able to escape her corruption and greed. Many are going to be angry when she loses.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

RNC & DNC both used a pawn in the name of Pat Smith (a white) and Khizr Khan (a Muslim). Pat Smith was vigorously condemned; she lost her son in the battlefield. Khizr Khan was vigorously supported; he lost his son in the battlefield. Obviously, the main stream media is biased.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

The mainstream media and globalist establishment have found a meme now --- expect more hysterical Trump bashing now, which alas the low-information crowd will swallow.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Trump should have left this one alone. But let the lefties have their fun. We all know it's MSM driven. Hillary and her MSM trolls are doing a good job of keeping her corruption out of the news. Hopefully Assange is not faking this one and releases some more emails. Hillary's Pay-to-Play and Clinton Foundation corruption will come out sooner or later, and the anti trumpsters will still be whining about some university.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

This news story is what the MSM has used as a smokescreen to cover up the content of the hacked emails which are very damaging. The MSM is protecting their gal.

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

Decent Americans have to believe there will come a limit to what they can tolerate from this utterly unfit candidate.

Decent Americans should honor this fallen soldier, leader, hero. But, Should it make a difference if he was black, white, hispanic, christian or muslim? So why did the DNC make him look special? Lots of soldiers & marines died in iraq catching bullets. All lives matter. Right?? No special dispensation.

-19 ( +1 / -20 )

What about the Smith and the Woods families? Hillary calls them liars. Trump stuck his foot in his mouth again AFTER being attacked by Mr. Khan. Hillary still deny's she lied the the families she disrespected. Then again, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE at this point! Ask the families friends and coworkers WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE Hillary? To them, it makes a difference.

-22 ( +1 / -23 )

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