Republican Sen. Jeff Flake said Monday that things are not looking good for the GOP with Trump as its candidate, in the wake of Trump’s charge that a U.S. judge is likely biased against him because his parents come from Mexico.
“It’s clearly not working right now,” Flake said on MSNBC.
Several Republicans came out in opposition to Trump’s argument, and Flake said it represents a “whole new level” of race politics that the GOP needs to avoid.
“The whole thing that we Republicans say we’re against, that’s identity politics,” the Arizona Republican said. “To say that if you’re a certain gender or you’re a certain race that you have to vote that way.”
“He’s just trying to confirm that stereotype that’s completely wrong. And it’s just … it’s offensive, it really is. And this week it was a whole new level,” he said.
Flake said it’s too late for Republicans to consider another candidate at this point.
“We have what we have,” he said. “We’re not in a good situation, let’s face it.”
Flake also said he hasn’t endorsed Trump yet, but is hoping he can get to that point.
“I hope that he changes, we haven’t yet seen 2.0,” Flake said. “It’s uncomfortable not having endorsed the Republican nominee.”
