Never, ever Trump

It’s been just over two weeks since Ted Cruz dropped his presidential bid and, I swear, not a day goes by that someone tries to point out why this is a good thing.

Cruz is worse than Donald Trump, they say. The evangelical Cruz is more extreme, they tell me.

That all depends on how you define “worse” or “extreme.”

On the one hand, Trump does not necessarily espouse the hardcore religious views that defined Cruz’s campaign. For example, Trump has said he supports a transgender person’s right to use “use the bathroom they feel is appropriate.”

Great. But just because he’s occasionally right doesn’t make up for every time he’s so very, very wrong.

Let’s not forget the proposed wall or the comments about “rapist” Mexicans, nor his plan to deport Muslims. Let’s not discount his condescending, degrading and objectifying treatment of women.

Most of all, let’s not forget the way Trump has unearthed some of the worst voter factions. During his campaign, he’s earned vocal backing from white supremacists, including endorsements from leaders of the Ku Klux Klan. He’s also encouraged ugliness at his rallies, where many of his supporters have been openly racist and violent toward protesters. Trump has rarely, if ever, condemned those viewpoints or actions.

Trump has opened a political Pandora’s box of racism, hatred, fear and an inclination toward violence over compromise. Those racist, hateful, fearful people have always been there, of course, but Trump’s approval—tacit or otherwise—has given them a louder voice, a bigger platform.

Tell me again how he’s a better GOP choice?