Trump blasts Susana Martinez

Susana Martinez is the two-term governor of New Mexico. In 2013, she was reelected with 57 percent of the vote. She chairs the Republican Governors Association.

Martinez is one of the most prominent Hispanics in the Republican party, and probably the GOP’s leading Hispanic female (or Latina, if you prefer). Given Donald Trump’s poor standing with Hispanics and females, you might think that Gov. Martinez would be on the tycoon’s short list for the vice presidential nomination.

Instead, Trump is attacking Martinez. The Washington Post reports that in a 65-minute speech in Albuquerque last night, Trump “laced into Martinez.” He blamed her for the state’s economic problems, for the growing number of food stamp recipients, and for not doing more to reject Syrian refugees. He even mused about moving to the state to run for governor himself.

What purpose did this attack serve? No constructive one that I can discern. It represented nothing more than venting by the mega-rich bully against someone who has declined thus far to endorse him.

Trump’s attack on Martinez should give pause to anyone who expects him to be more “presidential” as the race progresses. Trump is a jerk and will continue to behave like one. He can’t help it.

There is a case for voting for Trump in his race against Hillary Clinton (though I have yet to be persuaded by it). But that case shouldn’t include the claim that Trump isn’t as bad a guy as he seems to be. He really is that bad.

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