By Bronte Price, PoliticKING
The last two Republican presidential nominees, John McCain and Mitt Romney, both denounced Donald Trump on Thursday following Trump’s continued success in the primary. The pair went so far as to suggest that electing Trump could put the United States and its democratic political system in peril. Romney presented an in depth case against Donald Trump, attacking his business dealings, his “erratic pronouncements” on national security and demeaning treatment of women, minorities and the disabled. He also said that Trump was amplifying a “brand of anger that has led other nations into the abyss.”
.@MittRomney: Trump's promises "worthless as a degree from Trump University." https://t.co/BWlVjYYMl6#MTPDailypic.twitter.com/dYU07eenZH
— Meet the Press (@meetthepress) March 3, 2016
“His domestic policies would lead to recession,” Romney continued. “His foreign policies would make America and the world less safe. He has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president.”
John McCain, who once campaigned against Romney, joined forces with him on Thursday, agreeing with his frustration with Trump’s popularity. The pair sided with a public letter released on Thursday by dozens of conservative national security leaders. In the letter, the leaders vow never to support Donald Trump. John McCain reasserted their concerns with Trump’s “uninformed and indeed dangerous statements on national security issues.”
Romney has not yet endorsed a candidate but insisted it was not too late to block Donald Trump. He effectively called for a “contested convention” to select a nominee. Romney urged Republican primary voters to cast ballots for whichever candidate in their state appeared to be the strongest alternative to Trump.
Former homeland security adviser to George W. Bush, Frances F. Townsend, said she hoped Thursday would mark a turning point in the race. She encouraged other Republicans to speak out against Trump as well. “There needed to be a group that would stand up and say, yes, I am willing to be counted,” She said. “We cannot all be silent, or be Chris Christie and decide, I am going to put myself first and, for political and opportunistic reasons, I am going to endorse this stuff.”
Donald Trump has responded to Mitt Romney https://t.co/Ov5nL3Uyoopic.twitter.com/g7bKJDwYj6
— VICE News (@vicenews) March 3, 2016
Former Navy secretary, John F. Lehman, who helped advise John McCain’s 2008 campaign, said that, although it is appropriate to raise questions about Trump’s ability to serve as commander in chief, it might be too late to make a difference.
“It’s too bad that the party has waited so long, and the other candidates waited so long, to point out these shortcomings, because they are severe,” he said. “People haven’t come out against him because nobody thought he’d get this far.”
Here’s what Anthony Weiner has to say about Donald Trump:
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ora Media, LLC, its affiliates, or its employees.
