There is much to tell about the policy positions and past actions of the Republican presidential candidates, but that can wait while we express disgust and dismay about statements made by Mike Huckabee, now struggling to get his poll numbers up enough to be included in the group of 10 candidates who will be part of the first debate.

Huckabee accused President Obama, by urging approval of the Iran deal, of marching Israelis “to the door of the oven.” 

So desperate to raise his standing that he immediately aroused the ire of many, even those who oppose the agreement, he refused to back down and apologize when he brought up images of the Holocaust in the worst, most horrific, insensitive metaphor.

The fact that none of his rivals could summon up the courage to express a strong rejection of his words speaks volumes about the other 15. 

How can we ever trust them to lead a nation that faces huge challenges at home and abroad?  

The gutlessness evidenced in the failure to break free of the pack on many issues, followed by this latest silence, must not go unchallenged.

Esther Confino

New Hyde Park