Trump drops out of Heritage event after birther backlash

[DebbieCDC]

Source: The Hill

Donald Trump canceled his appearance Friday evening at a major campaign stop for the GOP presidential field in South Carolina as he faces criticism from both Republican and Democratic candidates over his failure to address claims that President Obama is a Muslim and "not even an American."

Trump’s campaign announced in a statement Friday he no longer plans to speak at the Heritage Action Presidential Forum at the Bon Secours Arena in Greenville.

“Mr. Trump has a significant business transaction that was expected to close Thursday,” the campaign said. “Due to the delay he is unable to attend today’s Heritage Action Presidential Forum. He sends his regrets and looks forward to being with the great people of South Carolina on Wednesday in Columbia."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/254187-trump-ditches-conservative-sc-forum

[homegirl]

1. How quickly

can The Donald walk backwards and out of the race? Probably won't take more than three hits like the "Obama is a Muslim" debacle. Looks like it isn't fun anymore!

[sarge43]

2. Huh. That's a new one

Usually, it's "I want to spend more time with my family."

[beac]

8. When you are Trump, it's

"I want to spend more time with my money. I'm a BILLIONAIRE, yanno!!!"

[Plucketeer]

30. No - no...

IT's more like: "I'm very, very rich, ya know. In fact, In fact, all I have to do is lay hands on a C-note and it births a hundred more! I can't be expected to drop my responsibility in money husbandry. Otherwise, how would I be able - single-handedly - to make this country GREAT again?"

[7962]

3. I'm NOT a Trump fan, but I think that guy was a setup.

Just listen to the way he asks the question; he seems to be acting. Compare him to that lady McCain dealt with. Or many other people who are given a mic. This guy just didnt seem to be joe off the street.
Regardless, trumps ANSWER still stands. Idiot.

[NCjack]

12. Agree. Everything about the question, timing and presentation created the

perfect trap. Trump was led agreeing all the way thru gathering up people for a removal solution. And, apparently, no one knows who this articulate, clever guy is. And what drew Trump to select him to ask a question? The camera did not get his face -- he certainly has an awareness of camera angle. Professional job. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Candidates for the Mastermind: every candidate participating in the GOP debates, except for one. Huckster is too Christian to do such a dirty trick /s/.

[7962]

22. You know, thats true; any other time we'd already know who the guy was.

I've heard nothing about him since
Glad I'm not the only one who thought it looked WAY too scripted!

[NCjack]

24. We are probably thinking about the same guy: could KKKarl Rove have

masterminded the question + actor for JEB's benefit?

[Person 2713]

33. Could be anybody look how he got trolled by kimmel

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/kimmel-trolls-trump-speech-texas--3

[yardwork]

34. The media response seems planned, too.

Looks like the Republicans set a trap for Trump.

[Lil Missy]

20. That possibility crossed my mind too. He sounded rehearsed. n/t

[Marrah_G]

35. When I saw it my first thought was "he's being trolled"

There was something wrong in his voice and delivery, like an actor reading lines.

[7962]

36. Exactly. To the point of over-acting. But NO ONE from the media sees it?

I guess this proves once again that some of us are smarter than they are!

[arcane1]

4. "significant business transaction"

[annabanana]

7. EXACTLY MY RESPONSE!^^^^

Obviously his business transactions will always be more important to him than anything going on at 1600 PA Ave. . .

[Paladin]

14. My response as well. Looking forward to the ass-covering from the Trump-ites. (nt)

[annabanana]

15. He's not in the business of covering his ass. .

He's mooning the country every damn day.

[Paladin]

16. I was referring to his followers.

The unfortunate souls who think Trump can do no wrong. The ones who admire him, because he doesn't act like a politician---until he steps back in the idiotic "Birther" issue and has to find a business transaction to squirm his way out.

[lunatica]

27. LOL!

[Wellstone ruled]

5. You know darn well the old phone lines were

white hot this morning from the Big Money Guys at the GOP. Just can imagine the negative feed back from the Non Christian Investment Community to Wall Street and other Investor big hitters. Money talks and the rest in pure whatever.

[StevieM]

6. I can't imagine that this is anything other than a coincidence.

Trump is not embarrassed by what he said. And the people who attend these events largely don't have a problem with his comments.

[brooklynite]

9. Too bad that was the same day Kasich suggested you tip the maid...

[Purveyor]

10. I'm betting that Trump's polling improves 'again' by this time next week. eom

[Vinca]

11. I have an alternative take on the Donald and his motives.

There is the ever-so-slight possibility the town hall attendee was a Trump plant. If Trump can get all of his opponents to come to Obama's defense, he'll have one heck of an advertisement to run. Something seems fishy to me about this entire incident.

[Runningdawg]

21. Bingo

n/t

[7962]

23. But he already has the "birthers"

This doesnt help him at all. I think he was a plant too, but not from Trump. But Trump still has to stand with how he answered; the opposite of the way McCain handled a similar question

[IDemo]

29. I'll build a digital clock to count down on this one.....

[7962]

37. Jeeze, what did I miss?? Leave the computer for a couple hrs.....

[IDemo]

38. "Killary, Benghaaaaaaaazi", etc.

Same ol' same ol'.

[RKP5637]

13. That's about as lame an excuse as my dog ate my homework! n/t

[denverbill]

17. Wait don't like 40% of Republicans believe exactly those same things?

The 40% who happen to be the most rabid, Fox-watching, primary voting Republicans of all? I'm somewhat surprised most of these candidates aren't wholeheartedly agreeing with the guy.

[Kotya]

25. Exactly.

Everyone is acting incredulous that Trump didn't correct this guy.

Why would he? Trump's no idiot. He knows which side of his bread is buttered. We're talking about Republicans here. Half of them think President Obama was born in Kenya. An even greater number, I'm certain, believe he's a Muslim.

Trump is going to win points on this, just watch.

[beac]

31. And 66% of Trump supporters (according to Chris Hayes last night).

That's why there was only ONE guy in the background shaking his head when that nonsense was going down.

[Gothmog]

18. Trump's birtherism is catching up with him

[captainarizona]

19. you think this will hurt him with racist republicans?

this will add to his poll numbers in the south! the more he offends the more the racist republicans love him! and that is 40% of g.o.p. or more!

[olddots]

28. don't fret he will come up with a snappy excuse

for the penis gallery .

[DinahMoeHum]

32. Psss psss psss psss psss! Meow Meow!

Sheesh, Trump just made decent people miss John McCain.
McCain's no genius, but back in 2008, even he felt compelled to challenge a scared, xenophobic old biddy's rant about Obama being an Arab.

[Turbineguy]

39. I don't think he should appologize.

He should continue to attract morons to vote for him.

[DCBob]

40. The Republican rank and file are turning the screws on Trump.

They seriously do not want him to be their candidate. I suspect he would self implode anyway but for sure the GOP is on the warpath now to take him out.

[David__77]

41. When McCain defended Obama back in 2008 I think it was a terrible political move.

He did himself no political favors; he may have said what he said as a matter of personal integrity.