'Deplorables': Clinton faux pas could come back to haunt her

Hillary Clinton let her guard down last week when she described half of Donald Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables."

Trump has made the most of the faux pas, pouncing on the phrase as proof that Clinton is not fit to govern from the White House. She is divisive, he says, claiming that he is the candidate who represents all Americans.

"You cannot run for president if you have such contempt in your heart for the American voter," Trump said. "You can't lead this nation if you have such a low opinion of its citizens."

We agree that Clinton's remarks were a low blow, but Trump has made it a habit to demean large groups of people in sweeping comments himself, so we are not completely swayed by his argument.

Still, it was a mistake by Clinton. She has since apologized for saying that "half" of Trump's supporters should be categorized in such a way, but she has not fully taken the statement back.

It definitely has fired up a large group of voters who have taken offense at the description and could prove to be a key moment in a race that is apparently closer at this point than many experts would have thought.

Published in Editorials on September 13, 2016 10:03 AM