Trump rivals criticize comment about female moderator

ATLANTA -- Donald Trump's bombast continued to roil the Republican presidential race Saturday as several rivals criticized his treatment of a Fox News debate moderator.

The organizer of a conservative political convention rescinded the businessman's prime-time speaking slot, angering those eager to hear from the businessman.

The real-estate mogul and reality-television star remained unbowed, refusing to apologize for saying on CNN that Megyn Kelly, who aggressively questioned him during Thursday's GOP primary debate, had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever" when she asked him about his incendiary comments toward women.

The latest flare-up underscored the potential challenges Trump poses for his rivals as they struggle to react to him without deviating from their message or alienating the conservatives who are enamored with his unconventional bid.

Jeb Bush said Trump threatens the GOP's 2016 prospects with female voters, who already favor Democrats in presidential elections.

"Do we want to win? Do we want to insult 53 percent of our voters?" the former Florida governor told the RedState Gathering in Atlanta, where Trump had been the headliner for an evening reception at the College Football Hall of Fame.

The event's organizer, radio host Erick Erickson, offered similar sentiments when he booted Trump after his statements on CNN.

"I just don't want someone on stage who gets a hostile question from a lady and his first inclination is to imply it was hormonal," Erickson wrote on his website, as he acknowledged Trump "resonates with a lot of people with his bluntness."

In a statement, Trump maintained "only a deviant" would interpret his comments that way. He called Erickson "a total loser" with "a history of supporting establishment losers in failed campaigns."

Former tech executive Carly Fiorina, the only woman among the GOP contenders, took to Twitter: "Mr. Trump. There. Is. No. Excuse." She added, "I stand with @megynkelly."

Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, said Trump's behavior shows "a serious lack of character and basic decency" that should disqualify him from the race.

Even before Trump's Kelly comments, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told CBN News Trump has "got a lot of skills, but I just don't think for this."

Mike Huckabee, who also had a RedState speaking slot, seemed exasperated by it all, asking reporters for a "non-Donald Trump question." When he got another, the former Arkansas governor quipped: "I'm running for president. I'm not running for social media critic of somebody else who's running for president."

Yet Trump remains a towering presence in the field, and his supporters at the RedState event said the flap reaffirms why his uncompromising approach appeals to voters who are disgusted with conventional politicians, including those in the GOP.

"It sounds like Republicans want to cherry-pick someone as the nominee and they want everyone to fall in line," said Jane Sacco of New Port Richey, Florida, saying she was angry at Erickson's decision.

Another Trump fan, Louise Tashjian of Atlanta, added: "This is about political correctness. We don't like it when Democrats do it."

Dulcy Forte of Austin, Texas, countered that Trump's bigger sin was his refusal in the debate to pledge support to the eventual GOP nominee if it's not him. "I was always thought Donald Trump was a little crude, but, more importantly, he's not a good Republican," Forte said.

Still more attendees said they are not necessarily Trump supporters but want other candidates and party leaders to take heed of his rise.

Connie Thomas of Atlanta, executive of a health care consultancy, said Trump went "too far" in the CNN interview but is serving a "good purpose" in the race: "He's forcing the rest of this field to speak more forcefully, more clearly against the establishment."

Jack Staver, a business consultant from Woodstock, Georgia, said Trump's rivals could benefit from emulating his style, even if it gets him into trouble. "Quit being who everybody wants you to be, and be who you are," Staver said. "I haven't seen a lot of that in this campaign."

Some other candidates have at least tacitly acknowledged the tightrope they must walk with Trump's supporters.

Bush was the only one of a half-dozen candidates at the RedState gathering who mentioned Trump during his remarks on the podium. And in recent weeks, Bush has on several occasions differentiated Trump from his backers, whom he calls "good people."

Huckabee, even in his frustration Saturday, said Trump has "tapped into an anger" among the electorate. "I'm angry, too," he said.

Meanwhile, the flap apparently even reached into Trump's campaign operation. The candidate told The Washington Post on Saturday that he had fired one of his top advisers, Roger Stone, late Friday. According to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Stone resigned, telling Trump, "The current controversies involving personalities and provocative media fights have reached such a high volume that it has distracted attention from your platform and overwhelmed your core message."