We knew liberals would be denouncing Donald Trump’s hateful call to ban Muslims from entering the United States — and God bless them. But so too are leading conservatives — and God bless them, too:
(Updated 12/8/2015)
Dick Cheney: “I think this whole notion that somehow we can say no more Muslims, just ban a whole religion, goes against everything we stand for and believe in.”
Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House of Representatives: “This is not conservatism. What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for and, more importantly, it’s not what this country stands for.”
Reince Priebus, Chair of the Republican National Committee: “I don’t agree. We need to aggressively take on radical Islamic terrorism but not at the expense of our American values.”
Bill Kristol, Editor of the Weekly Standard: “Trump has entered John Birch Society/Pat Buchanan territory. Important to save conservatism from him.”
Ari Fleischer, former spokesman for President GW Bush: “Trump’s statement calling for a total ban on all Muslims entering the US is nuts.”
Russell Moore, Southern Baptist Convention: “Anyone who cares an iota about religious liberty will denounce the reckless, demagogic @realDonaldTrump plan for Muslims.”
Jennifer Horn, New Hampshire Republican Party Chair: “There are some issues that transcend politics…it is un-Republican. It is unconstitutional. And it is un-American.”
Matt Moore, South Carolina Republican Party Chair: “As a conservative who truly cares about religious liberty, Donald Trump’s bad idea and rhetoric send a shiver down my spine. American exceptionalism means always defending our inalienable rights, not attacking them when it’s politically convenient.”
Jeff Kaufmann, Iowa Republican Party Chair: “I’m here to reiterate that our founding principles are stronger than political cynicism… we don’t make ourselves safer by betraying bedrock Constitutional values.”
David French, National Review: “Even the most hawkish national security conservatives can identify multiple categories of Muslims who should have access to the United States, beginning — of course — with our own citizens. There are many others. What about the interpreters who’ve laid down their lives to serve our warriors downrange and now find themselves under imminent threat from jihadists? What about members of allied militaries who are training to be the Muslim “boots on the ground” that we need to help take the fight to the enemy? Do we treat the Kurds — who are sheltering so many of Iraq’s Christians while also providing the most effective fighting force against ISIS — the same as we treat suspected terrorists?”
Sen. Marco Rubio: “I disagree with Donald Trump’s latest proposal. His habit of making offensive and outlandish statements will not bring Americans together.”
Gov. Chris Christie: “A ridiculous position and one that won’t even be productive.”
Former Gov. Jeb Bush: “Donald Trump is unhinged. His ‘policy’ proposals are not serious.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham: “@Realdonaldtrump has gone from making absurd comments to being downright dangerous with his bombastic rhetoric.”
Regarding earlier xenophobic proposals by Trump, such as requiring all Muslims to be registered in a database:
Jonah Goldberg, National Review: “No movement that embraces Trump can call itself conservative.”
Max Boot, Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations: “Trump is a fascist. And that’s not a term I use loosely or often. But he’s earned it.”
Steve Deace, radio host and pundit: “If Obama proposed the same religion registry as Trump every conservative in the country would call it what it is — creeping fascism.”
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