Donald Trump’s Lewd Remarks Are Indefensible and Unsurprising

Character matters… Character matters… Character matters…

If you missed the hot mic conversation had with Billy Bush in 2005 that The Washington Post released yesterday you can go here or watch below.

This is not surprising. He is a serial philanderer. He is absolutely unfit to be President of the United States. Hillary Clinton is also equally unfit to be President of the United States.

Also this being released in October instead of during the primaries also isn’t surprising. I warned that all of the opposition research was going to be dumped during the general election. The fact that this is still pretty early should be disconcerting. What else are they going to dump.

We just a glimpse via The New York Times in the form of a reminder of how Trump was accused of trying to force himself on a business partner. This was news already out there if people actually chose to vet Trump seriously.

What else do they have?

This is exactly how you don’t win over women voters. I won’t say this is a death knell. Circumstances or news about Hillary Clinton can come out still. Considering this was leaked right before the 2nd debate means this will be kept alive for a few more days which will not be helpful for Trump.

Trump’s response was weak.

This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course – not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended,” Trump said in a released statement.

What Bill Clinton said is irrelevant he is not running for President. “Locker room banter” maybe for adolescent boys, but not a man who then was in his 60s and this was far worse than locker room banter I have heard.

Compared that to what Billy Bush said in response.

“Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. It’s no excuse, but this happened 11 years ago — I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along,” Bush said in a released statement.

That seems, to me, to be a more appropriate response.

Has Trump actually changed?

Check out this video I was given permission to share.

[KGVID]https://caffeinatedthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/caffeinated-thoughts-donald-trump-iowa-state-fair.mp4[/KGVID]

Granted this is tame compared to what The Washington Post released, but from this perspective we have a presidential candidate who appears to be scoping out women while riding a golf cart to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

But… but… but… what’s wrong with calling women beautiful?

Perhaps I run with a unique group of married men who feel it necessary to comment on how beautiful women are.  It begs the question, in light of the 2005 audio, how much has he changed?

We really don’t know do we?

Trump was supposed to campaign with Speaker Paul Ryan for the first time in Wisconsin. It was announced last night that Governor Mike Pence will go in his place.

“I am sickened by what I heard today. Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests. In the meantime, he is no longer attending tomorrow’s event in Wisconsin,” Ryan said in a role.

RNC Chair Reince Preibus issued a statement. “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.” Trump will, according to the campaign, be spending Saturday in debate prep in New York with Preibus, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

This off course is after Preibus called Trump a role model that children can look up to.

Oops.

I think there is going to be even more blowback as this is carried into the debate on Sunday.

The best thing that Donald Trump can do is step down and let Governor Mike Pence run in his place. I’m not going to hold my breath on that.

Update: Trump released a video statement:

His written statement from later last night.

I’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.

I said it, it was wrong, and I apologize.

I’ve travelled the country talking about change for America. But my travels have also changed me. I’ve spent time with grieving mothers who’ve lost their children, laid off workers whose jobs have gone to other countries, and people from all walks of life who just want a better future. I have gotten to know the great people of our country, and I’ve been humbled by the faith they’ve placed in me. I pledge to be a better man tomorrow, and will never, ever let you down.

Let’s be honest. We’re living in the real world. This is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we are facing today. We are losing our jobs, we are less safe than we were 8 years ago and Washington is broken.

Hillary Clinton, and her kind, have run our country into the ground.

I’ve said some foolish things, but there is a big difference between words and actions. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days.

See you at the debate on Sunday.

Oh brother.