After yanking his endorsement of Donald Trump just a week ago, Idaho Republican Sen. Mike Crapo says he has yet to rule out voting for the GOP presidential nominee on Nov. 8.
“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Crapo said in a debate on Idaho Public Television’s “Idaho Reports” on Friday night. “And frankly, I believe the country is conflicted over this, because we have choices that are frankly disappointing to the country. And I’m facing that kind of decision myself.”
I haven’t made a decision yet. And frankly, I believe the country is conflicted over this, because we have choices that are frankly disappointing to the country. And I’m facing that kind of decision myself.
Idaho GOP Sen. Mike Crapo, on whether he will vote for Donald Trump
Crapo did rule out backing the Democratic nominee, saying he “cannot and will not vote for Hillary Clinton.” He said Clinton would increase federal spending and weaken rights for gun owners by appointing “activist” judges to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Crapo backed Trump until Oct. 8, but he became one of the first Republicans to withdraw his endorsement after the Washington Post released a 2005 video that showed Trump boasting about kissing and groping women. Crapo said that Trump’s comments were “disrespectful, profane and demeaning” and that he should end his presidential bid.
Idaho County Republicans responded last week by withdrawing their support for Crapo, saying they would not distribute literature or lawn signs on the senator’s behalf.
Jon Menough, chairman of the Idaho County Republican Central Committee, wrote a letter to Crapo that said the third-term senator had “lost our respect as a Republican” for not backing the party’s presidential candidate.
If Crapo doesn’t want to vote for Trump, he’ll have some other choices, including Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, and Independent Evan McMullin who’s running strong in Utah.
Rob Hotakainen: 202-383-6154, @HotakainenRob