2016 hopefuls speak out on Confederate flag

The debate over the Confederate flag currently flying in front of the South Carolina Statehouse has landed at the feet of many 2016 hopefuls. 

It began on Saturday, when former presidential candidate Mitt Romney took to Twitter to call on South Carolina lawmakers “to honor #charleston victims” by removing the flag. President Obama retweeted Romney, adding, “Good point, Mitt.”

Take down the #ConfederateFlag at the SC Capitol. To many, it is a symbol of racial hatred. Remove it now to honor #Charleston victims.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) June 20, 2015

Good point, Mitt. https://t.co/Ryusfp8Xbh

— President Obama (@POTUS) June 21, 2015

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush posted a statement on Facebook later the same day: “My position on how to address the Confederate flag is clear. In Florida, we acted, moving the flag from the state grounds to a museum.”

Democratic hopeful and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley tweeted Monday morning:

It's time that state govt officials of South Carolina retire the Confederate flag to a museum. http://t.co/cjGnriHZjy pic.twitter.com/wBhMtC02TD

— Martin O'Malley (@GovernorOMalley) June 22, 2015

On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called on the state’s legislature to remove the flag. Her call-to-action prompted more 2016 candidates to speak up:

.@nikkihaley is right 2 call for removal of a symbol of hate in SC. As I’ve said for years, taking down Confederate flag is long overdue. –H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 22, 2015

Statement on the Removal of the Confederate Battle Flag pic.twitter.com/kvEm4nHbVC

— Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) June 23, 2015

The confederate flag is a relic of our nation’s stained racial history. It should come down.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 22, 2015

MORE CANDIDATES’ REACTIONS: Charleston attack drags GOP 2016 field into uncomfortable places

Sen. Rand Paul, who had been silent on the issue until Tuesday, told radio station WKRO he supported removing the flag. “I think the flag is inescapably a symbol of human bondage and slavery — and particularly when people use it obviously for murder and to justify hatred so vicious that you would kill somebody — I think that that symbolism needs to end, and I think South Carolina is doing the right thing,” Paul said.

But not all candidates have taken a clear position, such as Sen. Marco Rubio, who told reporters on Saturday, “The next president of the United States will not make that decision. That’s up for the people of South Carolina to make.”