The question now is whether Kirk turns into the rule or the exception among his colleagues. Lots of Senate Republicans — from Mitch McConnell to Tim Scott — have condemned Trump's remarks about Judge Gonzalo Curiel. But no one other than Kirk has taken the next logical step of abandoning their stated support for Trump.

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Bob Corker of Tennessee, who has been one of the more supportive senators in regards to Trump, refused Tuesday morning to answer the question of whether the real estate mogul was "fit" to be president. By Tuesday afternoon, Corker had set a timetable for Trump to shape up — or else. (I have no idea what the "or else" is.)

Attempting to stop the bleeding on the Curiel comments, Trump issued a lengthy clarifying statement this afternoon, insisting he had done nothing wrong. It read, in part:

It is unfortunate that my comments have been misconstrued as a categorical attack against people of Mexican heritage. I am friends with and employ thousands of people of Mexican and Hispanic descent. The American justice system relies on fair and impartial judges. All judges should be held to that standard. I do not feel that one’s heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial.

Is that enough for McConnell, Corker et al. to shelve their doubts — and eliminate the possibility of renouncing Trump publicly?

Maybe? I genuinely don't know. The problem for all of these Senate Republicans caught betwixt and between on Trump is that there is absolutely nothing in the way he has acted as a candidate that would convince them that he won't commit another unforced error — or many more unforced errors — between now and Nov. 8.