So now the GOP has become the party that tolerates racism

The reaction to Donald Trump's use of racism to divert attention from a class action law suit concerning Trump University that would verify claims that he was a con man leaves the Republican Party in a sad position. It is now the party of tolerance of racism. In reaction,House Majority leader Paul Ryan, highest ranking GOP official, refused to withdraw his recent endorsement of Trump, While Ryan was  admitting Trump's comments regarding the judge with Mexican roots in the case would be biased because of that, Ryan's rationale was that  Trump is the best bet to get Ryan's agenda enacted.  Much of the rest of GOP leaders have fallen in line, even while acknowledging that Trump's remarks were racist.

Some gave their excuse that was   similar to Ryan's. They expressed hope that Trump would retract his statements and start behaving. Trump's racism and bigotry, whether he believes it or not, have become the statements of record, For him to change his spots or apologize for such statements is neither part of his character nor is it possible to erase evidence of his real feelings with any credibility.

The message is loud and clear.  Even when admitting Trump's comments are racist and still maintaining their endorsements of him, they put winning their races or issues over the immorality of racism, the independence of the judiciary, and the anti discrimination clauses in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  For the party, winning trumps those civil rights in importance  and in constitutional matters.  Added to the attempts to restrict minority and elderly voter access to the ballot box in  Republican coordinated state by state legislative efforts, the Republican Party  even more has  become the party that harbors and tolerates practitioners  and their fellow travelers of  racism and bigotry.

The GOP down ballot candidates need to be put on the spot about where they stand on Trump's racist statements and on racism in general.   That is a challenge their Democratic Party opponents can easily  make,  especially in swing states with large minority populations and a history of supporting civil rights.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pushing-racial-boundaries-trump-draws-rebuke-from-a-fretful-gop/2016/06/04/fbd298c8-2a6d-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/07/house-speaker-paul-ryan-trumps-comments-on-judge-are-unacceptable.html

http://hotair.com/archives/2016/06/08/yougov-poll-51-say-trumps-comments-about-judge-were-racist-65-of-republicans-say-