Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumBeto O'Rourke: Trump's 'racism' leads to violence like El Paso mass shooting
(CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke called President Donald Trump a racist and said his words can be connected to Saturday's mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, that left at least 20 people dead and more than two dozen injured.
When asked whether online writings believed to be written by the suspected shooter that El Paso police have said they were using as a "nexus to a potential hate crime" could also be linked to Trump's rhetoric against immigrants and racist postings toward four minority congresswomen, O'Rourke paused briefly before answering, "Yes."
"We've had a rise in hate crimes every single one of the last three years during an administration where you've had a president who's called Mexicans 'rapists' and 'criminals,' though Mexican immigrants commit crimes at a far lower rate than those born here in the country," O'Rourke said while speaking to the media after meeting with victims and medical staff at University Medical Center in El Paso. "He is a racist and he stokes racism in this country, and it does not offend our sensibilities, it fundamentally changes the character of this country and it leads to violence."
Trump called the mass shooting an "act of cowardice," and said there "are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people."
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/03/politics/beto-orourke-el-paso-donald-trump-racist-violence/index.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
efhmc
(14,732 posts)figures will say.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hav
(5,969 posts)It is needed because mincing words just doesn't work. If the President is a racist, call it out. If he is a stochastic terrorist whose actions lead to acts of violence, call it out until everyone understands it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Princetonian
(1,501 posts)And he got rewarded for his boldness with a surge in donations.
This cycle's Democraic candidates are refreshing and are good at standing up to bullies.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Princetonian
(1,501 posts)I am glad Texas Democrats have this good man there to voice their thoughts.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
femmedem
(8,208 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dalton99a
(81,599 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oasis
(49,410 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OldDem65
(76 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided