By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Friday, October 7, 2016, The Washington Post released an eleven year old tape, where current Republican Presidential nominee Donald J Trump spoke crudely about women. The tape includes the use of they p-word. Trump has been roundly criticized for his language and a number of politicians, including Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) have said that they can’t vote for Donald Trump now that they have heard him using bad language. Sixth District Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) condemned Trump’s use of bad language and called on Trump to ask for forgiveness.
Congressman Palmer said, “As a husband and father of two daughters, I was dismayed and angered by the comments made by Mr. Trump in 2005.”
Rep. Palmer said in a statement “Even though he made those statements over a decade ago, they are extremely offensive and not representative of my values or the values of the American people. He was right to apologize, but without showing true contrition and asking for forgiveness the apology is not sufficient. Mr. Trump should seek forgiveness and give deep and serious consideration to what he should do in regard to what is best for our country.”
A number of Republicans including Alabama Congress members Bradly Byrne (R-Montrose) and Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) have called on Trump to step down and let Vice Presidential candidate Mike Pence run as the GOP nominee for President.
Republican Legislators are divided on what to do next.
State Representative Phil Williams (R-Huntsville) sent an open letter to Gov. Bentley asking the Governor to reverse his position on Trump.
Rep. Williams wrote, “Dear Governor, please reconsider your position on Trump since your recent headlines basically send votes to Hillary. You are not voting for an Independent candidate so its either Hillary or Trump. Your position is helping Hillary.”
Williams said that Hillary’s mishandling of classified national security information is a far more serious lapse that Donald Trump’s past use of crude and boorish language.
Rep. Williams said, “Governor I had an active Top Secret Clearance around the time when you and I met and I assure you that I could not have done what she now seems to admit that she has done and still have my freedom. This is the ultimate issue for me, not Trump’s vulgar language that offended you, me and the entire civilized world. Given Trump’s apologies, I am asking you to consider reversing your position on Trump and to now support him.”
State Representative Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) is still backing Trump. After last night’s televised presidential debate, Butler said on social media: “Hillary better dig for more tapes on Trump because he whipped her big time tonight. Make America Great Again. Trump 2016!”
State Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia) thinks Trump needs to be off the ticket. Rep. Williams said, “Donald Trump wants to make America great again. The only way he can accomplish this is by stepping down as the Republican nominee. His legacy is tied to this race. He can be the man who sacrificed himself, when his words cost him a chance to win – or he can be the candidate that guaranteed Hillary Clinton the Presidency.”
Jack Williams said on social media, “Like Trump, Hillary Clinton is an awful candidate. She will go down swinging – but against a better candidate she will go down. Democrats will go down with Hillary. Republicans don’t have to go down with Trump. If he will not step down – Pence should go to the RNC and say it’s him or me. The RNC should act in the best interest of the party – and even more important in the best interest of the Country.”
Donald Trump said on Friday, “’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I’m not. I’ve said and done things I regret, and the words released today on this more than a decade-old video are one of them. Anyone who knows me, know these words don’t reflect who I am.”
NBC reportedly has a number of old clips of Trump using bad and offensive language from their lengthy partnership producing ‘The Apprentice’ TV show so there could be more revelations to come.
The General Election is on November 8.
