Republicans continue to back the racist candidate

[PJMcK]

11. There is a difference (although it's oblique)

Earlier, Donald Trump would smear a broad swath of faceless "others" without identities. But by personalizing his attacks on Judge Curiel, Mr. Trump has focused on a judge who is beyond reproach. He's demonstrated a total lack of understanding of and respect for the Judiciary and that has startled Republicans. Here's an excellent article from The Week:

http://theweek.com/articles/628384/why-donald-trump-wont-stop-talking-about-judge-curiel

One quote stands out:

"The more thoughtful among them are also worried for a more principled reason: Trump's point of view is the most dead-end identity politics — the kind of thing principled conservatives, principled liberals, and, indeed, anyone who believes in the rule of law viscerally opposes. Trump's isn't a plea for justice, but a declaration that justice is impossible."

Understand that there is no way that I am defending Mr. Trump's earlier comments. I loathe the man. But I think this helps to show why all of a sudden, Donald Trump's Teflon is cracking.