Reporter to W.H.: ‘Are You Worried the Reputation of the U.S as a Whole’ Will Be Hurt in Tonight’s Debate?

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
UNKNOWN MALE: "Ahead of the Republican debate tonight, are you in any way worried that the reputation of the United States as a whole could be hurt further by proposals or policy proposals from Donald Trump that have been deemed racist by many Europeans, by many people abroad? Do you think the reputation of the U.S. As a whole could be hurt further by things he might say?"
EARNEST: "Well, Philip, I think in general we have heard from many Republican candidates, not just Mr. Trump, rhetoric that is offensive and divisive and deployed to cynically benefit their political campaigns. And the fact is they're talking about the kinds of values that frankly should come before someone's own narrow political ambition. And I've been quite outspoken in condemning some of the comments from a variety of Republican politicians. You had an hear from the president in settings where he's laid out his vision of how our nation's values should inform the foreign policy decisions that are made in this country. You know, but ultimately -- ultimately the American people will have to decide what kind of leadership they want and that's their responsibility and that's the way our system works. These values, these policy decisions are the subject of legitimate political debate. I'm not suggesting somehow the candidates should be silenced in one way or another. But I do think that country will be better served if those candidates are more committed to ensuring their rhetoric actually reflect the true values of our country."