Republicans pulling out....abandoning SS 'Trump' as it sinks

Republicans across the country have condemned Donald Trump's comments about women following the release of a 2005 tape that shows the real estate mogul speaking in graphic terms about groping women. Some are going further, whether it's pulling their support or, in some cases, calling on Trump to step aside, including a few who never backed the GOP nominee to begin with.
Here's a look at some of the many prominent Republicans speaking out:

Arizona Sen. John McCain

“In addition to my well known differences with Donald Trump on public policy issues, I have raised questions about his character after his comments on Prisoners of War, the Khan Gold Star family, Judge Curiel and earlier inappropriate comments about women.
Just this week, he made outrageous statements about the innocent men in the Central Park Five case.“As I said yesterday, there are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive and demeaning comments in the just released video; no woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behaviour.
He alone bears the burden of his conduct and alone should suffer the consequences.“I have wanted to support the candidate our party nominated. He was not my choice, but as a past nominee, I thought it important I respect the fact that Donald Trump won a majority of the delegates by the rules our party set. I thought I owed his supporters that deference.“But Donald Trump’s behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy.
Cindy, with her strong background in human rights and respect for women fully agrees with me in this.“Cindy and I will not vote for Donald Trump. I have never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate and we will not vote for Hillary Clinton. We will write in the name of some good conservative Republican who is qualified to be President.”

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan

Ohio Gov. John Kasich

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner

South Dakota Sen. John Thune

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Nevada Rep. Joe Heck

“I believe any candidate for President of the United States should campaign with common ethical and moral values and decency. I accept that none of us are perfect. However, I can no longer look past this pattern of behavior and inappropriate comments from Donald Trump. Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support him nor can I vote for Hillary Clinton," Heck said at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday. “I believe our only option is to formally ask Mr. Trump to step down and allow Republicans the opportunity to elect someone who will provide us with the strong leadership so desperately needed and one that Americans deserve."

Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo

Businesswoman Carly Fiorina

Fiorina, who lost to Trump in the Republican primaries, said the Republican National Committee should replace Trump with Mike Pence. "Donald Trump does not represent me or my party," Fiorina said in a Facebook post. "I understand the responsibility of Republicans to support their nominee. Our nominee has weighty responsibilities as well. Donald Trump has manifestly failed in these responsibilities."

New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte

Utah Sen. Mike Lee

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert

Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman

"In a campaign cycle that has been nothing but a race to the bottom — at such a critical moment for our nation — and with so many who have tried to be respectful of a record primary vote, the time has come for Governor Pence to lead the ticket," Huntsman told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz

In an interview with Utah's Fox 13 News, Chaffetz said: “I’m out. I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president. It is some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine,”
Asked about the prospect of Trump withdrawing, Chaffetz added: "I wished Mike Pence was at the top of the ticket and we're going to have to figure that out at the — in the coming days and weeks, but it is tragic the way it is right now."

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk

Former New York governor George Pataki

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse

West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito

The senator said in a statement: “As a woman, a mother, and a grandmother to three young girls, I am deeply offended by Mr. Trump's remarks, and there is no excuse for the disgusting and demeaning language. Women have worked hard to gain the dignity and respect we deserve. The appropriate next step may be for him to reexamine his candidacy."

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake

Alabama Rep. Martha Roby

Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock

Radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt

Utah Rep. Mia Love

In a Facebook post, Love wrote: "For the good of the party, and the country, he should step aside. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton who has her own trouble with the truth, has a major integrity deficit and seems to hold a disdain for hard-working Americans. With such uncertainty the role of Congress as a check and balance to the executive branch is more important than ever. It is vital for Republicans to maintain leadership of the House and for me to continue to represent and raise Utah’s voice in Washington."

Rob Engstrom, U.S. Chamber of Commerce senior vice president

On Friday night, he called on Trump to “step down immediately” and hand the nomination to Pence.
Trump, meanwhile, has no plans to withdraw, telling The Washington Post: "I’d never withdraw. I’ve never withdrawn in my life ... No, I’m not quitting this race. I have tremendous support.”
Trump says he plans to take part in Sunday's debate against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. It is unclear how, or if, Trump could withdraw even if he were inclined. States have already already printed ballots with Trump's name on them, and some have begun early voting.