Ed Rendell: Trump And Nutter Both Wrong
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell criticized presidential candidate Donald Trump for his proposal to ban Muslims from coming into the country and also Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter for suggesting Trump be banned from the city.
Rendell, while talking with Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, dismissed Trump's idea as illegal.
"Donald Trump was wrong to say we're not going to take any Muslims into this country. First of all, I don't think it would be legal for us to take that stance, number one. Secondly, it's against everything we stand for as Americans so Trump's statement was way off base."
He also thinks Mayor Nutter was wrong for going too far in his rebuke of Trump.
"The Mayor, I think, was tongue-in-cheek because we can't ban anybody from coming into this city for their opinions. We shouldn't ban anybody for their opinions. Freedom of speech is something we cherish as Americans. It's one of the fundamental foundations of our Constitution and we're not going to start banning people for what they say, for their ideas. Even if their ideas are jackass ideas."
Rendell stated that despite everything that has happened so far in the presidential race, he would still welcome Trump's investments in Philadelphia.
"I'd love Donald to put up a Trump Tower because the Trump Towers have been successful where ever they've gone."