Rubio: Trump’s comments about McCain disqualify him from presidency

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said on Sunday that he finds Donald Trump’s mockery of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and his time as a prisoner of war “absurd,” adding that they should disqualify the business mogul from the White House.

{mosads}The senator said during an interview that he is not surprised by his fellow 2016 GOP presidential candidate’s insult.

“This is not just an insult to John McCain who is a war hero and a great man, it is an insult to all prisoners of war,” Rubio told host Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“It somehow makes the assumption that if you are captured in battle you are not worth of honor,” he said. “It is not just absurd, it is offensive.”

“This is a man who has spent his whole life saying outrageous things,” Rubio added of Trump. “This is how he makes a living.”

Rubio also argued on Sunday that Trump’s taunt of McCain prevents him from getting elected president in 2016.

“I do think it disqualifies someone for higher office,” Rubio said of Trump’s comments.

Trump shocked listeners by mocking McCain’s experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam during a public appearance on July 18.

“He was a war hero because he was captured,” Trump sarcastically told host Frank Luntz during the 2015 Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa. “I like people who weren’t captured.”

The quip came after Luntz challenged Trump’s criticism of McCain’s political career.

The pollster questioned Trump’s verbal attacks, given the Arizona senator is a “war hero.”

“I supported McCain for president,” Trump said of McCain’s 2008 presidential bid.

“He lost and let us down,” he said, arguing he had spent $1 million on McCain’s campaign.

“I’ve never liked him as much after that,” Trump added. “I don’t like losers.”

McCain and Trump have bitterly feuded in recent week’s over the latter’s July 11 rally against illegal immigration in Phoenix.