Trump puts Clinton sex abuse claims at center of campaign
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally today in Ambridge, Penn.
AMBRIDGE, Pa. » Donald Trump today put the claim that Bill Clinton was a sexual predator whose wife attacked the victims at the center of his flailing presidential campaign, insisting his own vulgar words about women in 2005 weren’t as bad as the Clintons’ alleged deeds two decades ago.
“I was getting beaten up for 72 hours for inappropriate words, locker room talk, whatever you want to call it,” said Trump at a noisy rally at a high school gymnasium in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. “But Bill Clinton has sexually assaulted innocent women and Hillary Clinton was attacking those women viciously.”
“Bill Clinton was the worst abuser of women to ever sit in the Oval Office. He was a predator,” Trump added.
The rally was Trump’s first campaign event following the town hall-style debate Sunday night against Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival. It came just hours after the nation’s most senior elected Republican leaders effectively dropped any effort to elect their own presidential nominee.
Monday morning, Speaker Paul Ryan told GOP House members he would no longer campaign for Trump and instead would focus on maintaining the party’s majority. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, refused to even acknowledge Trump, telling business leaders in his home state of Kentucky that if they expected to hear him discuss the presidential race, they “might as well go ahead and leave.”
The every-Republican-for-himself approach was a stark rejection of Trump after a history-making weekend in presidential politics. On Friday, The Washington Post broke the story that Trump had been recorded in 2005 bragging about groping women without their consent. Trump apologized “if anyone was offended” and in the same video said Bill Clinton’s actions were worse.
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Widespread condemnation followed. Even his own running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence refused to defend the remarks, with all eyes on Trump’s Sunday debate with Clinton.
But before it began, Trump lobbed another bomb designed to change the subject to the Clintons’ alleged treatment of women. He abruptly appeared live on Facebook at a table with women who have accused Bill Clinton of rape and unwanted advances. He then sat the women in the debate hall, where members of the Clinton and Trump families gathered to watch the debate.
Bill Clinton has denied or not admitted to the women’s accusations. Hillary Clinton has never addressed them, and that held true through the 90-minute showdown.
Increasingly isolated, Trump on Monday tried to frame his candidacy as a comeback bid, saying he could revive a struggling nation and suggesting his supporters don’t care about personal mistakes.
“The last 72 hours has framed what this election is all about,” he said. “It’s about the American people fighting back against corrupt politicians who don’t care about anything except for staying in power.”
But personal attacks clearly were his focus. In addition to Bill Clinton, Trump also invoked the 1969 incident when a woman died after then-Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy crashed his car in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts. The celebrity nominee claimed the media protected their “hero” in Kennedy and was doing the same for the Clintons.
Trump’s campaign was foundering even before The Washington Post published the 2005 video, which included comments by him that many said describe sexual assaults of women.
“When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” said Trump, who said he to “grab them by the p——” and they wouldn’t resist.
Pennsylvania is a linchpin to Trump’s hope to carry blue-collar voters in the Rust Belt, but the odds have long been stacked against him.
22 responses to “Trump puts Clinton sex abuse claims at center of campaign”
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Gee, I’d be willing to put the personal garbage on a table to the side for a while if both of them would put things like the domestic economy, global economics, foreign policy, education, and health care “at center of” their campaigns.
CelloDad, don’t you believe Mr. Trump pulled a perfect pick off play and now has Ms Hillary on her campaign on their heels. How do they respond to former President Bill’s sexual predatory actions? Almost guaranteed now that Mr. Trump has gained his footing, the WikiLeaks on Ms Hillary and her campaign Chairman will be brought to the front page. Especially, the emails that show coordination between the White House and Ms Hillary’s campaign and the Democrat National Committee, Ms Donna, and the Clinton Campaign. Could it be that the Ms Hillary’s campaign is coming apart with 30 days remaining.
And why don’t one of the trump cricket crew explain to all of us the following: how do you lose almost 20% of your base, he went from a high of a about 42% to 35% (per the Wall Street Journal today); and how did you get to 48%, which is the baseline number he needs for a victory??? Or, he would need to gain almost 15% in less than a month.
Well, I’m waiting??? Keep in mind, this historical nugget, no president has come from double digits under 30 days…..crickets, crickets……awkward silence.
IRT Ike, for the record from your ESPN 538, August: Trump 34% – Clinton 43% +9; September: Trump 37% – Clinton 43% +6; and October: Trump 35% – Clinton 42% +7 for the NBC/WSJ poll. Three months about the same. Let’s see what is the results in early November. Oh, where did you get the 48% for Mr. Trump the next President of the United States, who will “Make America Safe and Great Again”.
Ike, from August to October, Ms Clinton has lost 1% and Mr. Trump gained +1%. 538 did not report a 20% drop for Mr. Trump, but a 1% gain.
IRT Ike, used you NBC/WSJ number of 42% for October, where it should be 46%. With your expert knowledge of numbers, you can make the adjustments. In addition, the NBC/WSJ poll did not cover the debate. It did cover the period including the release of the Trump Video on Friday.
You are using old numbers. The bottom line is even if Trumps wins ALL battleground states, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, etc….he is still in the 250s of the electoral college.
Visit this diagram, and it will show you how dire it is–see:http://www.npr.org/2016/10/09/497277536/npr-battleground-map-trump-in-crisis?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=202609
No, I believe that the obsession with titillating silliness (admittedly the allegations are not silly, they are abhorrent) has diverted the attention of the American electorate away from the issues that are at the core of our ability as a nation to be relevant and successful in the world of the 21st century. Both campaigns are culpable. They are both spending so much time and effort with he-said, she-said issues that no one really has a clear picture of either candidate’s plans for addressing issues of national importance. I would guess there are a few others who are also tired of “You showed your peepee” politics.
Cellodad, I believe Trump is his own worst enemy. I saw it from the 1st GOP debate where he argued w/Megyn Kelly. Then he kept complaining about her day after day, meaning the story stayed in the media much longer than it needed to. The same w/the Muslim family whose son died that spoke @ the Dem convention. He could’ve just issued a quick statement, thanking the family for their sacrifice, etc., and the matter would’ve dropped. Actually, he just did it again, didn’t he, w/the beauty queen business; that came up in the first debate, and the story was just dying down when he went on that tweet rant five days later — so it kept the story in the news. That alone made me see him as very thin skinned and defensive, not someone I’d want in the oval office.
He’s doing the same thing again. He could’ve given a firm apology and moved on. But he himself is keeping the story alive. He could’ve done it at his rally; opened by saying something like yes, I’m sorry for my remarks. Now let’s look at the issues…here’s why my economic plan is better than my opponent’s… But he doesn’t do that. Very self destructive tendencies.
I agree with you 100%. This is childish. But it’s the left wing news media that keeps this slimy stuff alive. I offer the 4 Star Advertiser “Top Stories” photos currently on their web site as an example. Each one features vulgar language and imagery and is a shining example of the personal garbage of which you speak. No stories about the economy or foreign relations. Nothing national defense related. Nothing about health care and the plans to fix it. Nothing about immigration or any other ills that the nation needs to fix. SA readers should be insulted.
The fault may partly belong to Fox News or one of those hillbilly websites you frequent, but it’s ultimately your fault that you’ve allowed your judgment to go astray.
Why are there SO MANY headlines about the kooky things Trump has said or done….???
Give up? BECAUSE HE SAYS AND DOES KOOKY THINGS ALL THE TIME.
Any questions? Meanwhile, don’t blame the media, Hillary, non-10 women, or your Trump U education. Blame yourself when Donald lets you down.
Well, aren’t we superior today. I realize it’s not trendy or fashionable among the super-smart enlightened crowd to frequent what you term “hillbilly websites” or Fox News. I stand by my calling out of the Star Advertiser for pushing the garbage that you complain about. Perhaps you should have another look, obviously you missed it the first time, the general election stories the SA considers important. It’s cleverly hidden under the heading
Regular people are interested when a candidate:
— Pushes the birther theory for five years, then “closes it” with a BS switch by blaming Hillary.
— Says “Grab them by their p—-s.”
— Says “I can shoot someone and nobody will change their vote.”
— Says “They’re all rapists and murderers.”
— Announces a head-scratching plan to build a great wall, but has no plan, does not tell the Mexican president to pay for it when he goes there.
— etc., etc., etc.
You do understand that the average citizen is interested in those actions and statements, so normal news media will report it. Understand?
I myself am not overreacting to the bus video. You haven’t read me posting any reaction to that, because the video didn’t surprise me at all. If there are some guys out there who talk like that, Trump would be in that category, maybe even Bill. I’ve hung out in enough places that it doesn’t shock me.
BUT, the average citizen is interested so the news reports it. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY SMART PHONE?
For the time being, Clinton is an 84 percent favorite in FiveThirtyEight’s polls-only model, and an 81 percent favorite according to polls-plus (her high point of the year in polls-plus). But her odds in both forecasts will probably increase as more post-tape data comes in.538
Kuro, et al…..any more sage insights and commentary??
IRT Ike, Oh yes. Remember it was Hawaii born President Obama who deep sixed the request of the FBI through the Justice Department to hire an investigator for the Clinton Foundation. For certain, President Trump will request that the Justice Department, through its newly appointed Attorney General approve the FBI’s request to contract a Special Investigator for the Clinton Foundation. Only then will we clean up D.C.’s corruption.
What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Keep on point–or allow me to resummarize for you: Trump is badly trailing and is at the point of no return.
IRT Ike, now I have you confused. Yes, it’s about the price of rice in China. And, the price of kalo in the Delta of Vietnam. Oh, also on the price of oil in the South China Sea.
IRT Ike, remember Pareto’s Law, the 80/20 Law. Ms. Clinton has hit the 80% too early. In other words peaked too early. Now, comes Mr. Trump with nothing to lose to take it to the White House. Week by week, and only four.
And the comment about placing Clinton in prison, is at best, lacking any knowledge of the role of the presidency, and at worse, reeks of the authoritarian rule of banana republics (where it is not uncommon for new regimes to either incarcerate or assinate political opponents).
To clarify, while the President can make an inquiry to the AG on an issue, it is the sole provenance of the AG to determine whether there are sufficient facts juxtaposed against the relevant law to see whether it is appropriate to appoint a special prosecutor. It is telling, when you have such divergent parties from Ari Fleischer to Eric Holder, repudiate Trumps words about placing Clinton in prison.
Reality 1: Clinton has made several careless mistakes (e.g., emails, saying she can’t relate to average citizens), but nothing criminal, according to extensive investigations by the FBI, House Committee on Benghazi, etc. If you aren’t aware, look it up in the NORMAL news media, not your favorite hillbilly blog.
Reality 2: Trump says something completely distorted, offensive, or flip-flopping at least once a day. He says an untruth every 3 minutes. Look it up in the NORMAL news media.
Reality 3: He’s way behind in the polls, is in denial, won’t cooperate with his motley staff, and will not do enough of anything smart to fix things in time.
Reality 4: It’s time Trump supporters started asking themselves, “How did I let that guy fool me?”
Do you remember?
How quickly we forget! If you’re over 35, take a walk with me down memory lane—you won’t believe what you have forgotten. If you’re under 35, read on—I promise you that you will be amazed at what you missed! (By the way, sadly, this isn’t a joke. I wish it was.)
REMEMBER WHEN BILL CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT?
(January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001—two terms)
When Bill Clinton was president, he allowed Hillary to assume authority over an attempt to reform health care.
Her proposed plan was so bad that many Democrats came up with competing plans of their own in protest, and in spite of threats and intimidation, on September 26, 1994, the “Hillarycare” bill was declared dead.
This fiasco cost the American taxpayers about $13 million for studies, promotion, and other efforts.
Then, President Clinton gave Hillary authority over selecting a female attorney general. Her first two selections were Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood—both were forced to withdraw their names from consideration.
Next, she chose Janet Reno, which husband Bill described as “my worst mistake.”
(Some may not remember that Reno made the decision to gas David Koresh and the Branch Davidian religious sect in Waco, Texas resulting in dozens of deaths of women and children.)
Husband Bill also allowed Hillary to make recommendations for the head of the Civil Rights Commission—Lani Guanier was her selection.
After considerable backlash from prominent Democratic senators concerning Ms. Guanier’s radical views, Bill Clinton withdrew her name from nomination, stating that she did not represents the civil rights views that he had championed during his campaign.
However, apparently a slow learner, husband Bill continued to allow Hillary to make more recommendations.
She chose former law partners, Web Hubbel for the Justice Department, Vince Foster for the White House staff, and William Kennedy for the Treasury Department.
Her selections went well: Hubbel went to prison, Foster (presumably) committed suicide, and Kennedy was forced to resign.
(Is anyone wondering yet what her Supreme Court Justice appointments would be like?)
Many younger voters will have no knowledge of “Travelgate,” the first major ethics controversy during Bill’s presidency.
Hillary wanted to award unfettered travel contracts to Clinton friend, Harry Thompson—but the White House Travel Office refused to comply.
She trumped up allegations of financial mismanagement and reported seven long-time White House employees to the FBI. This ruined their reputations, got them fired, and caused a thirty-six month investigation.
Eventually, most of the employees were reinstated and Clinton associates were forced out of the travel office. Only one White House employee, Billy Dale, was charged with a crime—the enormous crime of mixing personal and White House funds; a jury acquitted him in less than two hours.
Still not convinced of her ineptness, Hillary was allowed to recommend a close Clinton friend, Craig Livingstone, for the position of Director of White House Security.
When Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of about 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (Filegate) and the widespread use of drugs by White House staff, suddenly Hillary and the President denied even knowing Livingstone, and of course, denied knowledge of drug use in the White House.
Following this debacle, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office after more than thirty years of service to seven presidents.
Next, when women started coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment and rape by Bill Clinton, Hillary was put in charge of the “bimbo eruption” and scandal defense.
Let’s look at some of her more notable decisions in this regard . . .
She urged her husband not to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit. After the Starr investigation, they settled with Ms. Jones.
She refused to release the Whitewater documents, which led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor.
After $80 million dollars of taxpayer money was spent, Starr’s investigation led to Monica Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs.
Hillary’s devious game plan resulted in Bill losing his license to practice law for ‘lying under oath’ to a grand jury, followed by his subsequent impeachment by the House of Representatives.
Hillary avoided indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice during the Starr investigation by repeating, “I do not recall,” “I have no recollection,” and “I don’t know” a total of 56 times while under oath. (Sound familiar?)
After leaving the White House, Hillary was forced to return an estimated $200,000 in White House furniture, china, and artwork that she had “mistakenly thought was hers.”
So you see, the email scandal and all of her malfeasance regarding the handling of Top Secret information, not to mention the “pay to play” schemes of the Clinton Foundation, are nothing new.
Hillary’s entire political career has been nothing but a web of lies, corruption and destruction in her quest for power.
Is anyone else ready to say, “Enough is enough!”?
But unfortunately, I’m sure her loyal fans will say, “What difference does it make?”
Where did you find all of that. It was supposed to have been put down the memory hole so that Hillary’s history could be re-written.
Under HiLIARy’s pant suit. Spread the word.