'Oops' doesn't cut it as an excuse for picking a white nationalist party delegate
The Times Editorial Board
May 12. 2016
In its latest stranger-than-fiction move, Donald Trump's presidential campaign selected a self-described white separatist to be one of his California delegates at the Republican National Convention ...
In an ordinary campaign year, this might be shocking news. This year, less so. The response from Trump campaign officials when Mother Jones magazine called them out on it was essentially: “Oops.” Trump's California campaign director put out a statement saying that Johnson was included in the delegate list by mistake.
But .. this is a .. significant goof-up .. Johnson makes no secret about being chairman of the American Freedom Party, which seeks to “represent the political interests of White Americans.” Johnson conducted robocalls with a white nationalist message in support of Trump during the primaries. Trump was even questioned on the trail about accepting contributions from white supremacists, and he said he would return them. Johnson's $250 donation was sent back ...
Candidates shouldn't have to disavow every unpalatable person who supports them. But .. Trump's own campaign that selected Johnson, and .. the candidate owes voters a clear explanation. Will Trump state clearly and unequivocally that he does not want the support of white supremacists; that he rejects their ideology and sees no place for hate, racism or ethnic division in the United States? Or won't he? California Republicans ought to watch and listen closely, and ask themselves: Is this the man to lead the GOP?
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-trump-nationalist-20160512-story.html
