Readers React: Republican leaders’ support for Donald Trump won’t be forgotten by voters

To the editor: Thanks to The Times for an important and well written editorial. How GOP leaders act now in deciding whether to support presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump will be the issue they must address for themselves and the future of their party. (“Party loyalty is no excuse. Trump is manifestly unqualified. Republicans need to stand up and say as much,” editorial, June 1)

People will remember, and the Republicans who endorse Trump for president will be defined by the company they keep. When you line up with Trump, you are also lining up with the birther movement, a thinly veiled method of race baiting that he championed. You are goose stepping in line with xenophobia, misogyny and un-American religious persecution.

At least House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) quickly denounced Trump’s proposed halt to Muslim immigration back in December. The objection I seem to hear most from Republicans in the “never Trump” camp is that he isn’t a “true conservative.”

Well, Speaker Ryan, voracious reader and deep thinker, our nation turns its weary eyes to you.

Robert Fox, Los Angeles

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To the editor: The Times’ effort to divide the Republican Party will have the opposite effect. It will help unite Republicans in backing the only candidate who says what he means, not what is fashionable to say.

Philip Springer, Pacific Palisades

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To the editor: This Republican politicians who are “lining up behind Trump” should remember that in 2008 those Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, who supported going to war in Iraq either lost in the presidential primary or chose not to run, and a similar thing could happen to Republican aspirants for the presidency in 2020.

Dan Caldwell, Malibu

The writer is a professor of political science at Pepperdine University.

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