Murkowski & Sullivan Want To Dump Trump

Alaska Dispatch News — Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski on Saturday called for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race after release of a tape on Friday in which he spoke of women in vulgar sexual terms.

Sullivan issued a statement Saturday morning that said, “Donald Trump should step aside. I will support Governor Mike Pence for President.”

Several minutes later, Murkowski posting on Twitter, said: “I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for president. He has forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee.”

Murkowski, who is running for re-election, followed that with a longer statement:

“Offensive and inappropriate statements made by Donald Trump throughout this campaign have caused me to withhold my support or an endorsement,” the Murkowski statement read. “I have always supported the Republican presidential nominee and I had hoped to do the same in 2016. The video that surfaced yesterday further revealed his true character. He not only objectified women, he bragged about preying upon them. I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for President — he has forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee. He must step aside.”

Sullivan’s statement went into much more detail:

“Inspired by my three wonderful teenage daughters, and my wise and gracious wife, I have tried to do everything in my authority as an Alaskan public official over the past seven years to combat sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Sullivan’s statement. “I’ve worked to encourage men to choose respect and change the culture of abuse against women and children, which is at epidemic levels in Alaska and many parts of the country. We need national leaders who can lead by example on this critical issue. The reprehensible revelations about Donald Trump have shown that he can’t. Therefore, I am withdrawing my support for his candidacy. Because I love Alaska and our country, I cannot and will not support Hillary Clinton. She and her husband have their own sordid history of abuse of women. Further, her stated policies will undermine Alaska’s economic future and our constitutional rights.”

“My Republican Party – the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan – stands for upholding the constitution, economic opportunity, strong national defense, protecting the most vulnerable and the dignity and liberty of all people. As such, I will continue to campaign for Republican candidates across Alaska and the country. Keeping Republicans in the Senate majority is critical to the economic and national security of Alaska and America. As for the White House, Donald Trump should step aside. I will support Governor Mike Pence for President.”