Last week, ex-mayor and presidential-reject Rudy Giuliani assert that President Obama “doesn’t love America.” Most of the current 2016 GOP wannabes have danced away from repudiating that remark, at most qualifying tepid disapproval of Giuliani’s attack on Obama’s character with a strident criticism of his policies. Here’s a sampling, from best to worst:
- Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, criticized Giuliani’s remark. “I’ve challenged his policies,” Paul said of the president. “It’s a mistake to question people’s motives.” Three stars.
- Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, declared there’s “no doubt” Mr. Obama loves America. “I just think his policies are bad,” Rubio said. Two stars.
- Gov. Jeb Bush, through a spokesman, said he doesn’t question the president’s motives, but didn’t refute Giuliani. One star.
- Gov. Rick Perry was wishy-washy — “I can’t get into his head–or, for that matter, his soul–about what he thinks about this country” — before finally half-conceding that, “I think the president in his mind loves this country, but … what his policies are doing to this country, is my concern. Half a star.
- Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wisconsin, claims he doesn’t know whether Mr. Obama loves our country. He says, “I’ve never asked him, so I don’t know.” Not content with just one cop-out, he segued into another, “I don’t think it’s worth getting into the battle over.” The patriotism of the sitting President of the United States has just been attacked by a member of his own party, and he thinks it’s not worth talking about. No stars.
- Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-Louisiana, sided with Giuliani. “The gist of what Mayor Giuliani said … is true,” Jindal said. “If you are looking for someone to condemn the mayor, look elsewhere.” What an asshole. Clearly not ready for prime-time politics on a national stage. Minus four stars.
Here’s how candidate McCain handled a similar situation: