Is Donald Trump Racist? Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders Give Their Answers at Democratic Debate
It's not a presidential debate if Donald Trump's name gets excluded.
During the Univision and Washington Post's Democratic presidential debate on March 9, co-moderator Karen Tumulty asked a very blunt question about the Republican Party's presidential front-runner, Trump, following his remarks about immigrants, Mexicans and Muslims since the start of his campaign.
Clinton on “Is Donald Trump A Racist"
Stating that Clinton has known Trump for "a long time," Tumulty first asked the former secretary of state if the real estate mogul is racist. Clinton said there is a lot about Trump to talk about, claiming she was the first candidate to criticize his remarks about Mexican immigrants being rapists and has viewed his rhetoric as "deeply offensive."
"So people can draw their own conclusions about him. I will just end by saying this. You don't make America great by getting rid of everything that made America great," said Clinton, adding that his character is un-American and she will take every opportunity to criticize him.
When pressed further about Trump, Clinton said, “I'm not going to engage in the kind of language that he uses. I think we can make the case against him if he is the nominee, by pointing out what he has said. What he claims to believe in The values he's promoting and I think that's a better way for the American people to draw their conclusions.”
Sanders on “Is Donald Trump A Racist"
Sanders said the American electorate will never elect a president who insults Mexicans, African Americans, Muslims and women. He reminded the Miami audience and viewers about Trump's involvement in the birther movement, which questioned if President Barack Obama was born in the U.S.
"You know, I find it very interesting, Karen, my dad was born in Poland. I know a little bit about the immigrant experience. Nobody has ever asked me for my birth certificate. Maybe it has something to do with the color of my skin," said Sanders, noting polling data has shown the Vermont senator defeating the businessman by 18-percentage points.
The Latino Vote in Florida's Elections
The latest Democratic Party debate, held in Miami, comes less than a week before Florida hosts its presidential primary -- for both major political parties. According to National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, the Sunshine State is home to two million Latino registered voters, which basically equates to nearly one in every six Florida registered voter. The NALEO Educational Fund projects approximately 1.7 million Latinos will vote on Election Day in November.
“The Hispanic community has been a decisive force in the outcome of several early primary caucuses and elections this year. As we near November, the race for the White House will continue to run through the Hispanic community,” said NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. “Candidates who choose to use the Hispanic community as a punching bag to score political points do so at their own peril.”
“With more than 13.1 million Hispanic voters expected to cast ballots in 2016, the Hispanic community will throw the knockout punch come Election Day,” added Vargas.
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
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