Over the weekend Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, feigned ignorance about white supremacy and its connection to his campaign. In an interview with Jake Tapper of CNN he refused—multiple times—to denounce any individuals or movements associated with the KKK or white supremacy. This caused a firestorm of controversy that has allowed the various facets of the media to denounce Trump’s comments and wax poetically about how he is unfit for the office of the President of the United States.
While I cannot help but agree with them, I wonder how influential their reach truly is, especially in terms of the individuals that may cast a vote for Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. Indeed, there may be many Trump supporters unaware of the things he's said. Those of us who are political/news junkies are the exception and not the norm in American society today. There are millions of Americans who do not follow the news, care about it or pay any mind to what is stated by journalists or media types. However, if you are aware of what he's said (not just now but in the past as well) and still continue to support him, respectfully reconsider.
Whether it was making fun of a disabled journalist, a consistent lifestyle of disparaging women, or what may be a deliberate coaxing of white supremacy, this is not a man worthy of conservatism’s support.
Go look up how he's talked about other women. As a father, would you stand for someone speaking to your daughter—or any woman—the way he's talked down to multiple women his entire career?
Would you let your son—or any young man—emulate the way he talks about those he deemed enemies? Would you let your son speak to other people the way he does? Consider also Trump's blatant disrespect for legitimate authority; do you want that trait in your children (or any child)? I can't imagine the answer is “Yes."
While it is true we are not electing a "pastor in chief," that does not mean character is irrelevant or that moral character does not matter. It does matters–immensely–and seems beyond the point now of claiming ignorance. Frustration with status quo is one thing, we all share in that to one degree or another. But this is advancing the candidacy of a man who plays on our greatest fears and anxieties, all while running under the idea that his braggadocio, strong man politics is the answer. It is not, nor has it ever been.
He's not merely an option on the ballot box, he's the embodiment of what is the worst in American politics today. This is not an appeal for any other candidate, only that this man who continues to appeal to the lowest in us with the hopes of gaining support is not worthy of your vote.