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Ronna Romney McDaniel: "I don't want my kids growing up in a country that says this is OK."
(From video tweet by Chad Livengood)
In clear, firm language, Detroit's mayor and two Michigan Republicans leave no doubt about their views of the white supremacists dominating headlines this weekend.
Mike Duggan, Rick Snyder and Ronna Romney McDaniel leave no squishiness or wiggle room -- such as referring to misdeeds "on many sides," as the president initially claimed in his first public reaction to violence and a fatality at a hate-speech rally in Charlottesville, Va. (He speaks more forcefully Monday.)
The mayor tweets Sunday afternoon:
We must all stand united against the neo-Nazis and the hate and bigotry of their followers. This has no place in America.
— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) August 13, 2017
The governor issues a statement Monday afternoon:
A statement on unity from Gov. Rick Snyder: pic.twitter.com/nqQO4AWPkP
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) August 14, 2017
And McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee since January, was among the first party leaders to condemn the racist groups unequivocally:
The hate & bigotry on display in #charlottesville is dangerous & cowardly.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) August 12, 2017
She addresses the front-page news again during a previously planned African American outreach event locally, a Crain's Detroit Business reporter relays:
"White supremacists, Neo-Nazis and KKK have no Home or place in the Republican Party," RNC chair says at mtg w/ black Republicans in Detroit https://t.co/NAnzBs6K4r
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) August 14, 2017
McDaniel, a former Michigan party chair, is the granddaughter of past Michigan Gov. George W. Romney and the niece of Mitt Romney.
Here's more of what she says, as recorded by Livengood in the video below:
It is important that we address that white supremacy, neo-Nazi, KKK -- any type of hate and bigotry -- is not welcome, not just in our party, but in our country.
And all of our leaders have to do that across party lines. And we have to unite together.
This isn’t a partisan issue. This is an American issue. I’m a mom. I don’t want my kids growing up in a country that says this is OK. So we have to have that conversation.
After the remarks above and criticism from Republicans in Washington and beyond, President Trump said Monday afternoon: "Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."
This tweet from a Crain's Detroit Business writer has a video of the Republican national chairwoman's comments Monday morning at a Livernois Avenue event in Detroit:
VIDEO: RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel's comments to #Detroit reporters disavowing KKK & white supremacists affiliation with Republican Party pic.twitter.com/MfMrNl5QRv
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) August 14, 2017
