Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said the language being employed by 2016 GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump isn’t helpful for the Republican party and isn’t a sustainable model for electoral success.
“I think the language that Mr. Trump has been using, Joe, sometimes certainly [it’s] mean, it’s ugly, it’s divisive, and it is not a sustainable model,” Mr. Cantor said Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “Because ultimately this country, what the people of America are looking for is an optimistic, inspirational leader with a message that is inclusive for all.”
Mr. Trump has shot to the top of recent polling on the 2016 GOP field, but the real estate mogul has come under fire for remarks he has made about Mexico and illegal immigrants and about the military service of Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
Asked by host Joe Scarborough if he thinks Mr. Trump is bad for the Republican party, Mr. Cantor said: “I don’t think his language is good for the Republican party at all, no.”
Mr. Cantor — who lost a primary last year to Rep. Dave Brat, Virginia Republican, and was later hired by the investment firm Moelis & Co. — said people will respond to “anger.”
“Again, Joe, I don’t think it’s sustainable. I think temperament matters when we’re talking about electing [a] president and ultimately that kind of language, which is off-putting to a large swath of the population, is not something that will elect a president,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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