The satirical news source, The Onion, ran this startlingly accurate headline almost a week ago: “Nation’s Women Fantasize About Some Future Election That Isn’t Absolutely Pivotal to Their Well-Being.” Little did they know that in just a few days this headline would become more poignant and relevant than could have ever been expected.
On Friday Oct. 8, a leaked video clip showed presidential nominee Donald Trump discussing incidents of sexual assault to former Access Hollywood reporter Billy Bush, cousin to President George W. Bush. Trump bragged about pursuing a married woman as well as groping women, saying “when you’re a star, they let you do it.”
While these comments elevated the status of Trump’s rampant misogyny from alarming to utterly appalling, he has certainly insulted women in the past and has said plenty of inappropriate and objectifying comments, especially in regards to his daughter.
For example, in another uncovered tape, Trump assured radio-personality Howard Stern that he can call her a remarkably offensive and sexualized name (although I personally feel uncomfortable posting the exact words, a quick Google search will suffice).
Even though I abhor Trump and his lewd comments, I admonish those who call upon vice presidential nominee Mike Pence to take over the ticket. Pence attempted to defund Planned Parenthood in 2011, enacted strict abortion laws each year he has been in office, failed to take safe-sex precautions resulting in an HIV outbreak and has tried to pass legislation making it illegal for women to receive an abortion if the fetus has a suspected disability.
I believe it is quite apparent that the Trump-Pence ticket means trouble for women.
In light of these new revelations, however, 35 Republican congressmen and governors, most notably Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain, quickly disavowed Trump and pulled their support.
But, seriously, did it really take them this long to recognize the problems in their nominee?
Trump had even previously insulted McCain for serving as a prisoner-of-war during the Vietnam War, stating “I like people that weren’t captured.” How do you support a man who debased your bravery and service to your country?
While I do think the party should have seen this coming, it is never too late to save yourself and this country.
According to the Republican National Committee’s Rule 9, the party can only replace the nominee in case of “death, declination or otherwise.” Even if you cannot dump Trump from the ticket, the Republican Party, if it wishes to survive this election, needs to ensure the American people that the party does not stand for this horrendous behavior.
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has attempted to salvage the respectability of his party by standing by the candidate to ensure the American people that the Republicans did not screw up and nominate an orange bigot. However, the latest polls show Trump 11 points behind Clinton (for comparison, President Obama never polled more than a point ahead of Mitt Romney).
I think it is time you admit defeat and save yourself. Save the women of this country – your daughters, wives, partners, friends and associates – from this groping maniac. Just do the right thing, even if it doesn’t always bode well politically for you.
– Mary Orsak – Assistant News Editor –
