Reid: ‘Resentment and Hatred’ of Obama Synonymous with ‘David Trump’s Candidacy’

Harry Reid experienced a senior moment this morning. While leveling an attack on the Republicans for sowing "resentment and hatred," Reid said the GOP's hard line on immigration and suspicion of Muslims are "synonymous with David Trump’s candidacy," somehow forgetting The Donald's first name. 

One after another, common-sense facts and respected authorities were mowed down by Republican leaders, tossed aside as collateral damage to their ‘one big lie.’ It is no wonder millions of Americans feel powerless. Republicans spent eight years torching the institutions Americans once relied on to help them face the challenges of their daily lives. Instead of engaging on policy, Republicans simply told Americans that there was nothing to be done.

So what thrived in the wasteland Republican leaders created? Resentment and hatred, which Republican leaders were all-too-eager to embrace and too cowardly to renounce. Radical groups like the Tea Party flourished with dark money from the Koch Brothers. The ideologies and objectives of these far-right groups varied, but they all had one thing in common: A searing hatred of President Barack Obama, whom they considered an 'illegitimate President.' It was obvious to even the most casual observer that the Tea Party wave was driven forward by some of the darkest forces in our culture. But instead of renouncing it, Republican leaders tried to co-opt it.

This resentment and hatred took three main forms. First, rendering President Barack Obama 'illegitimate.' Second, fear-mongering against Muslims. Third, sowing hatred against Latinos. These forces, which are all now synonymous with David Trump’s candidacy, were incubated by Republican leaders for the past eight years. The most recognizable attempt to declare President Obama as 'illegitimate' is the birther movement."