Posted on 12/13/2015 1:02:11 PM PST by VinL
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is siding with many Democrats in criticizing conservative Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia over comments he made about African American student achievement during oral arguments earlier this week of the affirmative action case, Fisher v. University of Texas.
"I thought his remarks were very tough,"Trump said of Scalia in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper that aired Sunday.
"They were very, very tough to a certain community," the Republican front-runner continued. "I thought it was very tough to the African-American community."
Scalia's remarks, made Wednesday, drew accusations of racism from Democrats and liberal activists who claimed that he was arguing that African American college students are less capable than other students. But Scalia's supporters have said that he was merely citing academic literature which has found that students granted admission based on affirmative action often struggle to keep up with their peers..
"There are those who contend that it does not benefit African Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well,: Scalia said.
Referencing a friend of the court brief, Scalia said that it "pointed out that most of the black scientists in this country don’t come from schools like the University of Texas."
"They come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they’re being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them," the justice continued.
The remarks received immediate pushback from Democratic politicians and liberal activists.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid condemned Scalia's remarks on the Senate floor on Thursday. On Friday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called on Scalia to recuse himself from affirmative action cases in the future.
Scalia's defenders asserted that he was referring to what is known as "mismatch theory," a theory popularized by UCLA law professor Richard Sander and legal journalist Stuart Taylor Jr. in their book, “Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students It's intended to Help, and why Universities won’t admit it."
But Trump appears not to buy into the thesis.
"I don't like what he said," Trump told Tapper of Scalia. "I heard him, I was like, let me read it again."
"I'm going 'whoa!'" the real estate billionaire concluded.
It remains to be seen how Trump's supporters will respond to their candidate’s criticism of Scalia, who is perhaps the most conservative Supreme Court justice.
In a round table analysis of Trump's interview, CNN's Dana Bash asserted that "for a Republican, for a conservative, to criticize Scalia is anathema."
"He sounded a lot like Harry Reid sounded there," she added.
In a round table analysis of Trump'[s interview, CNN's Dana Bash asserted that "for a Republican, for a conservative, to criticize Scalia is anathema."
"He sounded a lot like Harry Reid sounded there," she added.
no, harry reid would have sounded a lot lot worse.
But i’m with Scalia on this.
I tested high in grade school for math.
Was put in advanced algebra. Was lost the first day and Never caught up.
Grew to hate math.
Saying the truth is a dangerous thing these days.
Good thing Scalia has job security and i’m sure a nice nest egg saved up.
AND he doesn’t care.
Didn’t seem to matter when justices were marrying f..gs
Donald’s mask is coming off.
Mr. Trump has called out Ted Cruz for calling McConnell a liar, and said Scalia’s comments were “tough” on African Americans.
Apparently the “no PC” movement is only ok when it’s Donald doing the talking.
Seems to me that the people who are insulting African-Americans are the ones who argue that they can’t compete without Affirmative Action.
Scalia did and said nothing wrong.
Trump isn’t bright enough to know the difference.
Scalia was not expressing an opinion. He was questioning an attorney about an argument made by other attorneys in briefs filed with the Court, That is how oral argument works.
Scalia’s remarks were ‘inartful.’ Good to see Trump say so.
IF you listen to Trump, there was nothing remotely PC in his comments. He just took exception to telling Blacks to take a back seat in education. He wants everyone educated, which was the real thrust of his comments.
Oh shut up, Trump. Scalia’s remarks aren’t anything aggregious. They are reality. Not just for AA’s, but a lot of people.
Agree, Scalia didn’t say any thing improper.
As to Trump’s “brightness”, I don’t think he’s dumb, but he’s certainly not sufficiently informed. He’s great on pronouncements, but the underlying rationale is paper thin. He wings it— and, he hasn’t thought things through.
But if The Donald had said them they would have been "frank" and "refreshing".
BUT WAS SCALIA WRONG?
Answer: No
They could compete if they were as well prepared across the board as white students. I think both Trump and Scalia would agree on that.
Trump’s comprehension level is a tad shallow. I am concerned by this, but on the other hand a GREAT president APPOINTS THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND GUIDES THEM ACCORDINGLY. Cruz would be a great president, but Trump would be as well.. I think.
No, what Scalia said was a bit racist. Trump would not save any similar as that is not a part of his makeup.
‘Scalia’s remarks were ‘in artful’. Good to see Trump say so.”
Love The Donald...but you gotta’ admit he’s ‘’in artful’’ personified, one of his most lovable traits. I agree with Scalia, he has a point. If someone hasn’t had the same schooling in maybe a less advantaged black school, or a rough home situation, he/she may need some catch-up time to get up to speed. Scalia wasn’t saying they didn’t have the brain power, he was kind of hinting they’d get in over their depth initially. There may be some kids sent to a highly advanced college, that would cave under the pressure and drop out in despair.
“Trump isn’t bright enough to know the difference.”
Sadly....true.
"There are those who contend that it does not benefit African Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well,: Scalia said.And Trump said:
"I thought his remarks were very tough,"Trump said of Scalia in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper that aired Sunday. "They were very, very tough to a certain community," the Republican front-runner continued. "I thought it was very tough to the African-American community."What Scalia said was correct, and not racist, and anyone who disagrees with that is just a racist demagogue.
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