Republicans across the country have recently had to take a stand in regards to the recently released recordings of Republican nominee Donald J. Trump and TV-host Billy Bush making vulgar comments about women.
This may mean that Utah, an extremely conservative state and home to a large Mormon population, will vote blue for the first time in 52 years. The last Democrat the state backed for president was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
The Mormons had already expressed concern over the candidate’s moral shortcomings before the scandal, but the recordings seem to have tipped over the iceberg in favor of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, unless Trump steps aside for a more morally appropriate candidate.
Immediately after the recording’s release on Friday, top Republican officials in the state withdrew their endorsements.
One such official includes Gov. Gary Herbert, a Mormon who thought Trump’s statements were beyond offensive and despicable.
Republican Representative from Utah, and fellow Mormon, Jason Chaffetz said that if he voted for Mr. Trump he would no longer be able to look his 15-year-old daughter in the eye.
The Deseret News, a media outlet owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, broke with an 80-year tradition of avoiding presidential endorsements, to publish an editorial explaining:
“We are neutral on matters of partisan politics. We do, however, feel a duty to speak clearly on issues that affect the well-being and morals of the nation. Accordingly, today we call on Donald Trump to step down from his pursuit of the American presidency.”
The Deseret News takes a strong stand against Trump’s misogyny:
“The idea that women secretly welcome the unbridled and aggressive sexual advances of powerful men has led to the mistreatment, sorrow and subjugation of countless women for far too much of human history.”
Then, the editorial continues to explain that although we all make mistakes, Trump has shown on too many occasions that he is not fit to lead others, as his main concern is to look out for himself:
“When choosing the ostensible leader of the free world, the American electorate requires the clear assurance that their chosen candidate will consistently put the well-being of others ahead of his or her own personal gratification. The most recent revelations of Trump’s lewdness disturb us not only because of his vulgar objectification of women, but also because they poignantly confirm Trump’s inability to self-govern.”
The final blow is an overall description of Trump’s character as an evil despot, beyond forgiveness:
“What oozes from this audio is evil. We hear a married man give smooth, smug and self-congratulatory permission to his intense impulses, allowing them to outweigh the most modest sense of decency, fidelity and commitment. And although it speaks volumes about sexual morality, it goes to the heart of all ethical behavior. Trump’s banter belies a willingness to use and discard other human beings at will. That characteristic is the essence of a despot.”
In the Utah Republican primary, Trump only won 14 percent of the vote. With so many prominent Republicans who initially resigned to his candidacy and are now withdrawing, we have a good chance of seeing the blue state turn red.
Because, as The Deseret News put it:
“America’s locker rooms deserve better.”
Featured image screengrab from YouTube.
