Senate Republicans on the spot over Trump comments on Khan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The uproar over Donald Trump's criticism of a bereaved Army family put vulnerable GOP senators in a tight spot, underscoring anew the political challenges created for Republicans by their newly minted presidential nominee.

[...] with the general election campaign now squarely underway, the firestorm over Trump's attacks on the Khan family is likely just a taste of trials to come as Republicans negotiate how closely to align with their volatile nominee.

Senate Republicans running for re-election weighed in one after another Monday to condemn Trump's repeated attacks on the parents of slain U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, with former prisoner of war Sen. John McCain of Arizona leading the charge.

"No matter what Trump has said or done — from shameful personal attacks to racist outbursts — John McCain has blindly pledged to 'support the nominee," said Max Croes, campaign manager for McCain's Democratic opponent, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, in one typical response from a Democratic Senate campaign.

"There's no question that Donald Trump is making it very difficult for House and Senate candidates who are running on the ballot in November," said Brian Walsh, a GOP strategist and former spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.