Washington – Obama Says Trump ‘Unfit, Challenges GOP To Drop Support

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    U.S. President Barack Obama and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (L) speak during a news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 2, 2016.  REUTERS/Joshua RobertsWashington – In a searing denouncement, President Barack Obama slammed Donald Trump as “unfit” and “woefully unprepared” to serve in the White House on Tuesday. He challenged Republican lawmakers to drop their support for their party’s nominee, declaring “There has to come a point at which you say enough.”

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    The president’s blistering critique of his potential successor came on the heels of Trump’s criticism of an American Muslim family whose son, a captain in the U.S. Army, was killed in Iraq. A growing number of GOP lawmakers have disavowed Trump’s comments, but most of those who have endorsed him are sticking by that stance.

    “If you are repeatedly having to say, in very strong terms, that what he has said is unacceptable, why are you still endorsing him?” Obama asked during a White House news conference. “What does this say about your party that this is your standard-bearer?”

    The president said his opposition to Trump is about more than policy differences. He said that while he disagreed with his Republican opponents in the 2008 and 2012 elections, he never thought they were unfit to do the job.

    Obama — who is enjoying heightened popularity in his eighth and final year in office — has made clear he plans to be an active player in the White House race, campaigning around the country for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He and first lady Michelle Obama spoke at last week’s Democratic convention in Philadelphia, where Khizr and Ghazala Khan also made an appearance.

    Khizr Khan criticized Trump’s call for a temporary ban on Muslims coming to the United States and challenged whether he had read the Constitution. Trump has questioned why Ghazala Khan did not speak, implying her religion prevented her from doing so, and has said he was “viciously attacked” by Khizr Khan.

    Trump’s criticism of the Khans is part of a familiar pattern for the Republican nominee: He can’t let go of a perceived slight, no matter the potential damage to his presidential campaign or political reputation.

    Trump spent the days after winning the Republican nomination criticizing a U.S. district court judge’s Mexican heritage. The morning after accepting the Republican nomination at the party’s convention, he re-opened months-old grievances with primary rival Ted Cruz.

    Those who have worked with Trump say that in private meetings, he can often appear amenable to putting a controversy aside. But the businessman can quickly be drawn back in by an interview, especially if he believes he’s already answered the question, or if he grows irritated by commentary on cable television.

    The only way to ensure Trump moves on is to wait for him to tire of an issue or get drawn into another matter, according to those who have worked with him.

    Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who has advised Trump, said the candidate’s inability to back away from a political land mine “makes him vulnerable.”

    “His whole experience up until running for office was in a very combative New York media market,” Gingrich said. “He’s been doing it now for over 30 years. It’s a very deeply held habit.”

    Khizr Khan delivered an emotional address at last week’s Democratic convention, with his wife standing by his side. The Pakistan-born Khan told the story of his son, U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, who was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart after his death in 2004.

    Trump’s unwillingness to let the matter subside sparked outrage Monday from several Republicans.

    Arizona Sen. John McCain, a former prisoner of war, said Trump did not have “unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us.” Rep. Mike Coffman, a vulnerable Republican in a competitive Colorado district, said he was “deeply offended when Donald Trump fails to honor the sacrifices of all of our brave soldiers who were lost in that war.” Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt said the Khans “deserve to be heard and respected.”

    “My advice to Donald Trump has been and will continue to be to focus on jobs and national security and stop responding to every criticism whether it’s from a grieving family or Hillary Clinton,” Blunt said in a statement.

    But when asked about Khizr Khan on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” Trump responded, “His son died 12 years ago. … If I were president, his son wouldn’t have died, because I wouldn’t have been in the war, if I was president back then.”

    Trump didn’t raise the controversy during a rally Monday in Ohio. His supporters in the crowd dismissed the matter.

    But the real test for Trump isn’t the opinion of the loyal supporters who attend his rallies. It’s the broader general election audience, a far more diverse group still weighing his readiness for the White House.


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    20 Comments
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    bennyt
    bennyt
    7 years ago

    It takes one to know one!

    kenyaninwhitehouse
    kenyaninwhitehouse
    7 years ago

    says the racist Communist community organizer.

    7 years ago

    Coming from the mouth of the most unfit President in history.

    ralph1527
    ralph1527
    7 years ago

    “The frying pan calling the kettle black”!!!!

    CountryYossi
    CountryYossi
    7 years ago

    i remember 8 years ago when 80% americans said Obama is not fit to be president.
    Now he tells us that Trump is unfit?

    7 years ago

    Several observations.

    1. Obama seems to have replaced his favorite pastime, golf, with spewing anti-Trump rhetoric. Well, Mr. President, you were not elected to spend your time playing party politics or to play sports. You were placed in office (by an electorate that was blind to your corrupt policies and goals) to govern. That is not conducted on the green, nor in campaigning for someone else.

    2. Obama has a severely poor record at telling the truth. Does he really think his opinions will sway ours?

    3. Unfit for the job? Really? In what way were you qualified? You never even got the on-the-job-training down pat.

    7 years ago

    was Obama fit to be president? NO WAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but he did it anyway and
    LOOK AT WHAT A DISASTER IT WAS. It can’t be any worse under Trump !!
    but could be worse under Hillary!!! so
    VOTE REPUBLICAN IN NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    AuthenticSatmar
    AuthenticSatmar
    7 years ago

    Coming from a president who sat in the oval office with his feet on the desk.
    While he is correct that Trump has a big mouth, i don’t recall an election where any sitting president criticises the opposing candidate. That’s not very presidential.

    7 years ago

    And we should what? Support Hillary?
    Hell NO!

    7 years ago

    It is unprecedented for a sitting US President, to become actively embroiled in attacking a candidate of another party for President. I can’t understand why Obama has to constantly stick his nose in, where it doesn’t belong. If Trump wins, on inauguration day, he should not stop at the White House for breakfast with Obama, nor should Obama ride with him to the Capitol for the swearing in. Obama should simply leave the White House at Noon, and go to his new home. There is no requirement for the outgoing and the incoming President to ride together to the Capitol. Whereas it is traditional, Trump is not a traditional person. On Jan. 20, 1953, when Eisenhower was going to be sworn in, he and Truman didn’t say two words to each other, when they rode together to the Capitol; the reason was that they couldn’t stand each other.

    hashomer
    hashomer
    7 years ago

    Trump is qualified because:
    He’s a racist who attracts white supremacists and neo nazis;
    Insults American POWs;
    Insults women;
    Has no clue about foreign policy;
    Is a snake oil salesman re Trump University;
    Goofs up every day and blames ‘the media’
    Has the GOP looking for a way out.

    7 years ago

    Obama”s butting into an American election this way while still president is unprecedented. But of course he’s terrified about his horrific policies being overturned by a republican president, and all his damaging secrets being revealed; this led him to go along with his nemesis Hillary who has much blackmail on him. This egotistical failure of apresident has some gall accusing someone else of being unfit; he’s proven to be the most unfit in history since Carter. I can’t wait until we don’t have to look at his Kenyan face and hear his garbage any more, but I have a strong feeling he’s still going to be hanging around causing America damage even after his presidency is over.,, after all, anyone who doesn’t give him a high position will be accused of racism,

    TripleM
    TripleM
    7 years ago

    This election boils down to either voting for an idiot or a liar. sad.