Republican gubernatorial candidate Bud Pierce distanced himself Saturday from his party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump, in light of a 2005 video.
In the profanity-laced footage captured in a 2005 taping for "Access Hollywood," Trump bragged of aggressive sexual advances against women. Trump appears to glorify past attempts at sexual assault against a married woman, before making lewd comments about a woman whom he later accompanies on the TV program.
Pierce called Trump's video-taped conversation, “degrading, unbecoming, and unacceptable.” Pierce also called the comments "deeply disturbing." Pierce withdrew his support from Trump last month.
The Salem doctor apologized earlier this week for his own comments. He had said financially stable women are "not susceptible" to sexual assault. In Pierce's latest statement, he said he has "always treated women with equality and respect." The candidate goes on to promise programs addressing a host of challenges facing women, including domestic violence and pay inequality.
Trump has since apologized for his comments in 2005, but many see the apology lacking sincerity.
But a written statement on Trump's website sounds less contrite.
“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,” said a statement attributed to Donald J. Trump.
The Democratic Party of Oregon was quick to condemn Trump's 2005 video.
"Donald Trump has a long history of degrading women, and these disgusting and shameful comments are just another example," said Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Frank Dixon in a written statement.
National media outlets report prominent Republicans are disavowing Trump over his comments, including Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire), Gov. Gary Herbert (R-Utah) and Rep. Martha Roby (R-Alabama). Trump's running mate, Gov. Mike Pence (R-Indiana), responded to the comments by canceling plans to appear on Trump's behalf at a campaign stop in Wisconsin.
But Oregon's Republican establishment has been quiet, other than Bud Pierce. OPB's call to Oregon's highest-ranking Republican, Greg Walden, was not returned. The Oregon Republican Party also didn't respond to OPB's request for comment.
