GOP in North Carolina still backs Trump after tape

Gov. Pat McCrory found himself defending his endorsement of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump while distancing himself from Trump’s rhetoric during the first gubernatorial debate on Tuesday.

A controversial video surfaced of Donald Trump speaking with then-host of “Access Hollywood,” Billy Bush, on Friday, wherein Trump said he had kissed women and touched their genitals without consent.

“Mr. Trump needs to have his mouth washed out with soap, but so does Mrs. Clinton,” McCrory said. “We’ve got some character issues among the presidential candidates, but I’m voting for the candidate that best represents my viewpoints.”

The day after the video broke, Trump apologized for the language he used, an apology that Rep. Renee Ellmers, R.-N.C., said was enough for her to continue supporting him.

“Mr. Trump has apologized for the tape and it’s clearly not what this election is about,” she said. “In the debate Sunday night, he did a great job of exposing the lack of judgment of Secretary Clinton. That’s what I care about.”

N.C. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis both declined to revoke their endorsements of Trump in light of the leaked footage.

Burr said in a press conference that he’s forgiven Trump and thinks voters shouldn’t dwell on the issue.

“I will not defend him for what he said, but I also can’t support Hillary Clinton because I don’t believe her vision of where the country goes is consistent with what she’s done while in public office,” said Burr. “You hear these things from entertainers, and he is an entertainer in many ways.”

In reference to the tape, UNC College Republicans said in a Facebook post Trump’s comments do not represent them or the party they represent.

“There is no excuse, there is no explanation, there is only regret as we distance ourselves from the words of the Republican nominee,” the executive board of the UNC College Republicans said in a statement. “Noting that silence often signals approval, we, as the College Republicans of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, stand with countless other GOP senators, congresspersons and respected leaders, and repudiate the comments of our party’s nominee.”

Ellmers said although Trump’s comments were objectionable, voters will consider policy and ability to keep promises over personality in the voting booth next month.

“This is why most Americans continue to stand by him — they are tired of the talk and we want action,” Ellmers said. “They want to make America great again.”

@colestanley2036

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