Arizona Senator Jeff Flake On Trump Candidacy: "Offensive," "Laughable," "Not Serious"

"I don't think it's a very serious candidacy, frankly."

Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, slammed Donald Trump last week in an interview with a local PBS-affiliate, taking aim at everything from Trump's immigration policy proposals to his past controversial statements on undocumented immigrants.

"My feelings about Mr. Trump and his candidacy are probably well known," Flake said to Arizona Horizons last week. "I've not been a fan and I saw that he just introduced his immigration plan such as it is. It's not a serious plan and I don't think it's a very serious candidacy, frankly."

Flake said Trump's rhetoric made it very difficult for the Republican Party to broaden its appeal and win national elections.

"These statements range from offensive to simply laughable," Flake said.

He called Trump's comments on fellow Arizona Sen. John McCain's war record, "the most ridiculous statement I'd ever heard."

Asked why the Donald was leading in Arizona polls, Flake said it was all about timing.

"You know the election isn't until next year and now's the time where I think people can express their displeasure at Washington -- which they're doing and justified in doing so and maybe expressing their displeasure with the status quo," he said. "But as we get into next year, and we look seriously about someone who can lead this country and lead the most powerful country in the world, then I think we tend to look a little more carefully and that will come."

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