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Put their religion ahead of the u.s. constitution and the u.s. constitution says no religious tests. >> except i already said before that that anybody from any religion from any background, if they are -- i told you what the criteria were. i told chuck todd what the criteria were. he's asking this out of that context. >> you don't think in any way you said anything that could have been said more clearly about muslims? >> i made it very clear -- >> because you seem to be singling out muslims as individuals who automatically as a knee jerk would put the religion ahead of the country and i think ...

Individuals who automatically as a knee jerk would put their religion ahead of the constitution. that offended a lot of people, including a lot of patriotic muslims. >> the statement stands. is it possible that maybe the media thinks that it's a bigger deal than the american people do? because the american people, the they understand exactly what i'm saying. >> reporter: i think i've heard from a lot of people who don't think that muslims can be patriotic who agree with you. and i don't know that if i were running for president, i would want the support of people like that. >> of course muslim...

And the constitution, then of course i wouldn't -- and i would ask you, would you be willing to do that? would you be willing to advocate for somebody that would not do that. >> i don't assume that because somebody's muslim they would put their religion in front of the constitution. >> i had already said before that that anybody from any religion -- i told you what the criteria. i told chuck todd what the criteria. so he's asking this out of that context. >> you don't think that in any way you said anything that could have been said more clearly about muslims? >> i made it -- >> because you se...

The san francisco incident. you've read this. do you think it changes anything? >> not very much. he doubles down on his original comments. there have been wonderful mexican people in this country and that may help him a little bit, but i think the statement stands. the question is what trump says about mexicans will attach itself somehow to the other candidates. i have my doubts as to whether that'll happen. >> if it is not ted cruz or donald trump who is the nominee eventually, how will that person attract the people so affected by this rhetoric? >> that is a challenge. that is what remains ...