NH Senate: Democrat Maggie Hassan hits Kelly Ayotte over Trump "role model" gaffe

This became painfully clear during Monday’s debate with Democrat Maggie Hassan:

https://youtu.be/dpmqQP50kjw

PANELIST: The president of the United States is an aspirational figure, one who is our role model, and an individual who stands for ideals on a world stage. Would you tell a child to aspire to be like Donald Trump?

AYOTTE: I would tell a child to absolutely aspire certainly to be their best and to be president and to seek to run for the presidency, absolutely.

PANELIST: But would you, again, to the question, would you tell them to be like Donald Trump? Would you point to him as a role model?

AYOTTE: I think that certainly, there are many role models that we have and I believe that he can serve as president, and so absolutely, I would do that.

The moderator then asked if Trump was a role model for children, “why won’t you endorse him?”

Her response:

Because I’ve had some disagreements with him, and I’ve been quite clear about those disagreements, and this is an area where Governor Hassan has been lockstep with Hillary Clinton. Um, I haven’t heard major disagreements that she’s had with Sec. Clinton so who’s going to stand up on behalf of the people of New Hampshire?

Reaction was swift:

Kelly Ayotte says "Donald Trump is absolutely a role model for kids." She's right, kids don't pay taxes either.

— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) October 4, 2016

Praise Saddam Hussein, ask Russia to hack, trash women, don't pay taxes, lie, lie, lie,….you are a good role model in Kelly Ayotte's book.

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 4, 2016

every other GOP Senate candidate frantically talking with advisers about how to answer this question https://t.co/QESK0rBdqC

— Sam Stein (@samstein) October 4, 2016

Ayotte’s campaign then issued a “clarifying” statement:

I misspoke tonight. While I would hope all of our children would aspire to be president, neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton have set a good example and I wouldn’t hold up either of them as role models for my kids.

But it may be too late. Democrat Maggie Hassan’s campaign quickly released this ad:

https://youtu.be/8e5wxOOwDu8

Ayotte has drawn national attention for this major gaffe, which is unusual considering the near-complete focus on the presidential candidates. A huge stumble.