Republicans Who’ve Ditched Trump Since the ‘Trump Tape’
Since Friday afternoon, when the Washington Post got hold of and published a 2005 recording of Donald Trump boasting into a hot mic that he grabs women “by the pussy,” inciting outrage among voters (and, in particular, female voters), a number of Republicans who previously supported their party’s nominee have jumped off the Trump train. This, despite stomaching so many of Trump’s previous vile comments about women, not to mention Mexicans, Muslims, African-Americans and more.
A separate group of Republican leaders have condemned Trump’s remarks, but stopped short of saying they’ll no longer support him. That list of American heroes includes Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, who said he “cannot defend” Trump’s remarks, “[a]s a husband and father.” (What about as a human being, Mike?) Pence is under pressure to drop out of the race in light of the tape, and according to some reports is considering it. But so far, at least, he remains on the ticket, a true profile in courage.
Here are some of the growing number of prominent GOP politicians who have actually rescinded their endorsements of Trump.
Politician: Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz
His deal: Chaffetz, chair of the House Oversight Committee, is one of the loudest anti-Clinton voices in Congress, in particular with regards to Benghazi and the secretary’s private email server. His was one of the first high-profile Republican endorsements Trump lost this weekend, and he says he still won’t vote for Clinton.
Choice quote: “I’m out.“
Politician: Arizona Sen. John McCain
His deal: McCain, who ran for president against Obama in 2008, has had a rocky relationship with Trump, who once suggested McCain wasn’t a war hero because he was captured in Vietnam. Nevertheless, McCain needed Trump for political reasons, and he endorsed him back in May.
Choice quote: Trump’s comments have made it “impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy.”
Politician: New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte
Her deal: Ayotte is one of several Republicans who said publicly that they supported their party’s nominee without officially endorsing Trump, whatever that means.
Choice quote: “I’m a mom and an American first, and I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women.”
Politician: Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo
His deal: Crapo, who endorsed Trump in May, said Saturday that he now supports Mike Pence leading the GOP ticket.
Choice quote: “I have spent more than two decades working on domestic violence prevention. Trump’s most recent excuse of ‘locker room talk’ is completely unacceptable and is inconsistent with protecting women from abusive, disparaging treatment.”
Politician: Ohio Sen. Rob Portman
His deal: As with so many in the GOP, the signs were there that Portman wasn’t entirely comfortable supporting Trump – for one thing, the senator kept no-showing at Trump’s events in his state. But support him he did, at least publicly, until the release of the leaked tape.
Choice quote: “I continue to believe our country cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. I will be voting for Mike Pence for president.”
Politician: Alabama Rep. Martha Roby
Her deal: Roby had supported Trump during the GOP primary, but dropped him this weekend, joining fellow Alabama Rep. Bradley Byrne and Gov. Robert Bentley in denouncing the Republican nominee.
Choice quote: “As disappointed as I’ve been with his antics throughout this campaign, I thought supporting the nominee was the best thing for our country and our party. Now, it is abundantly clear that the best thing for our country and our party is for Trump to step aside and allow a responsible, respectable Republican to lead the ticket.”