Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) is asking Donald Trump to do something she herself is not willing to do.
Ayotte says Trump should retract his comments about U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel who Trump says cannot be trusted because he's "a Mexican."
Most people who aren't racists would agree, but Ayotte still isn't willing to retract her support from Trump.
"His comments are offensive and wrong, and he should retract them," Ayotte said.
Ayotte campaign spokeswoman Liz Johnson said the senator has not changed her overall position on Trump – that she will support the GOP presidential nominee but, as a candidate for re-election, she is not planning to endorse anyone for president in this cycle.
Condemning Trump's racism means exactly nothing if you aren't willing to drop your support for him no matter what he says. Moreover, there's effectively no difference between saying you'll support him but won't endorse him. By supporting him you are endorsing him. You're supporting and endorsing racism.
Ayotte's isn't the first Republican to go this route and she'll be far from the last, but we should keep a record of it. All of them should be asked about their support for Donald Trump for years to come.
I'd be remiss not to remind everyone that Senate Republicans are blocking the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland because they believe Trump will nominate someone better. We can only assume that Trump will not nominate "a Mexican" or a Muslim. That suits Republicans just fine.