Councilman Bill Greenlee: Donald Trump's Remarks Were 'Bigoted'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia Councilman Bill Greenlee addressed presidential candidate Donald Trump and a City Council resolution condemning some of his more controversial comments.
Greenlee, speaking with Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, said Trump's speech is out of step with Philadelphians.
"When you insult a whole large group of people, and Mr. Trump has done that in various ways, City Council was just basically saying that they think he should refrain from some of the more hateful remarks. Clearly, he hasn't listened to that."
He agrees with other critics that Trump's comments about Islam cross the line of what is acceptable in public discourse.
"So far as the resolution goes, when you talk about banning all Muslims from coming in, to me, that's way, way over the top. Most Muslims are peace abiding people. So, to just make that blanket statement, I think, in my opinion, a bigoted remark."
Regarding new Mayor Jim Kenney's proposal for a soda tax, Greenlee says he is open to the proposal, but has not yet made up his mind.
"I've never supported the soda tax in the past. What I've said to everybody on both sides of this is that I'm willing to listen. I'm willing to listen on both sides. The Mayor is targeting certain programs that are certainly programs that people like. I've never been totally comfortable...with the singling out. I understand soda is not a health product by any stretch of the imagination. I've never been real comfortable with that, but by the same token, I think we have to find ways to fund these needed programs."