Politics of race: Trump, Clinton both seeking the votes of blacks, Latinos

Hillary Clinton has branded Donald Trump as a racist for his views on immigration and his ideas for reviving the country's inner cities.

Trump has said that all he is trying to do is bring common sense back to American politics. This week he accused Clinton of "race-baiting" in order to secure minority votes.

Trump has softened his stance on immigration, saying he no longer believes in deporting all illegal Latinos.

But Clinton is warning voters not to be swayed by Trump's apparent change of attitude, saying his message is still one of hatred.

Trump caught heat for saying last week that black voters should turn their backs on the failed policies of the Democratic Party and give him a chance to show them what the Republican Party can do for them if he is elected.

"What the hell do you have to lose?" he asked.

Trump has since defended the direction his campaign is taking, saying that people who want their laws enforced and who want their borders secured are not racists. We believe that is true. Whether it will help Trump at the polls is another matter.

Published in Editorials on August 26, 2016 10:15 AM