Home WebMail Friday, November 1, 2024, 06:19 PM | Calgary | 2.1°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2016-10-09T21:17:41Z | Updated: 2016-10-11T13:57:01Z

ST. LOUIS Some of the countrys most prominent religious conservatives are still standing with Donald Trump , despite recordings that surfaced Friday in which the real estate mogul boasts about predatory sexual behavior.

As I have made clear, my support for Donald Trump in the general election was never based upon shared values rather it was built upon shared concerns, said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and a supporter of the GOP nominee.

But at Memorial Presbyterian Church, a 150-year-old place of worship that sits a few blocks from Washington University, the host of the second presidential debate, Trumps lewd comments elicited revulsion from voters all over the political spectrum.

Its pretty despicable stuff, Aaron Becker, who leans Republican, told The Huffington Post following Sunday services. The whole locker room talk argument is weak. Ive been in locker rooms all my life; Ive never heard anybody speak that way.

In a video that he called an apology, Trump on Friday explained that he was merely participating in locker-room banter when he boasted in 2005 that he could grab any woman by the pussy because of his celebrity status and revealed that he had tried to have sex with a married woman. (Trump had married his third wife, Melania, just months before.)

The recording sparked a wave of GOP defections , as dozens of Republican lawmakers pulled their endorsements for Trump. Some went so far as to call on the nominee to drop out of the race.

Cindy Gee, who plays music at Memorial Presbyterian, told HuffPost she was considering voting for Clinton even though she is a registered Republican.

I think hes a very egocentric person. Not sensitive. Not compassionate, she said of Trump.

They gotta get their act together, she added, speaking of the Republican Party. In some ways I want Hillary to be in [the White House] so Republicans get their act together in four years. People that I used to respect, I just dont understand now. Were a mess. Were a mess right now.

Even supporters of the brash New York real estate mogul struggled to explain his derogatory comments toward women. Gary and Brenda, a couple walking out of the service, declined to give their last name in an interview with HuffPost. But they said they were probably voting for Trump come November.

Im not supportive of his life. As far as peoples hes surrounded himself with that helps, said Gary, who is a former realtor.

I disagree with [Trumps comments], interjected Garys wife, Brenda, who works as a nurse.

Im not surprised, Gary continued. He wasnt a politician back then, either. Unfortunately, the candidates we have to choose from are both very fraudulent people. I wish we had better choices.

The couple said they were more focused on the candidates platform, including his plan to create jobs, cut debt and tighten immigration laws.

Were not electing a moral leader, Brenda said. But God uses people that are immoral and can also do good things.

Asked if he had ever heard anyone talk like Trump in the locker room, Gary said he absolutely did. Everyone knows what locker room talk is. It exists, he added.

Brenda quickly amended her husbands remarks.

You dont necessarily agree with it, she said.

No, Gary agreed. Maybe years ago, I was a passive person in the middle of that kind of conversation, too. I dont know; I cant defend that. Im not going to defend that. It makes it harder for me to vote for him, definitely.

The couple said they would be watching tonights debate closely to see how Trump handles the controversy.

It would be helpful for me to hear a real apology. Hes apologized, but it would be different hearing from him [on stage], Gary said.

HUFFPOST READERS: Whats happening in your state or district? The Huffington Post wants to know about all the campaign ads, mailers, robocalls, candidate appearances and other interesting campaign news happening by you. Email any tips, videos, audio files or photos to scoops@huffingtonpost.com .

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost

Editors note: Donald Trump regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar , rampant xenophobe , racist , misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims 1.6 billion members of an entire religion from entering the U.S.

Sign up for the HuffPost Must Reads newsletter. Each Sunday, we will bring you the best original reporting, longform writing and breaking news from the Huffington Post and around the web, plus behind-the-scenes looks at how its all made. Click here to sign up!