Warren blasts Ayotte over Trump 'role model' gaffe

Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWells Fargo to pay 5 million in 50-state settlement over sales practices Warren records video message for benefit concert for Tree of Life synagogue Bloomberg ready to spend at least 0M if he runs for White House in 2020 MORE (D-Mass.) tore into Sen. Kelly AyotteKelly Ann AyotteFive possible successors to Mattis Mattis resigns, says views aren't in line with Trump's Election Countdown: O'Rourke brings in massive M haul | Deal on judges lets senators return to the trail | Hurricane puts Florida candidates in the spotlight | Adelson spending big to save GOP in midterms MORE (R-N.H.) on Tuesday after Ayotte called Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpFive challenges awaiting Mattis' successor Meet Trump's pick to take over the Joint Chiefs of Staff Retiring GOP lawmaker blasts Trump's threat to close border as 'angry eighth-grader’s tweet' MORE a role model, accusing Republicans of refusing to "stand up" to their presidential nominee. 

Warren dismissed an attempt by the vulnerable GOP senator to walk back the comments, saying on Twitter "Sorry. That's not leadership."
 
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"You can't walk this back. ... [You] can't support @realDonaldTrump's agenda, say you're voting for him, then pretend to shake your finger," the liberal favorite added on Tuesday.
 
Ayotte, who says she supports Trump but will not endorse him, tried to clarify her remarks after Monday night's debate. 
 
 
But Democrats and outside groups have seized on Ayotte's remarks, arguing that they underscore that Republican senators back the party's nominee despite their attempts to stand clear of Trump's controversies.  
 
GOP incumbents have tried to walk a fine line on Trump as they defend 24 Senate seats: keeping distance from his streak of controversies while also refusing to cut ties completely and risk alienating a conservative base they'll need to win reelection. 
 
But Warren said Tuesday that if Republicans "don't have the backbone to stand up to [Trump] they don't have the backbone to stand up for working families."
Ayotte and Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) are in a tight battle with little more than a month until Election Day. Democrats need to win back fives seats — or four if they also retain the White House — to regain a majority in the Senate. The New Hampshire race is likely to be pivotal in determining which party controls the upper chamber next year. 
 
Democrats are hoping that Trump atop the Republican ticket will help them in a handful of purple states — including New Hampshire — that were previously carried by President Obama by negatively impacting down-ballot races. 
Tags Elizabeth Warren Hillary Clinton Kelly Ayotte Donald Trump