NEW HAMPSHIRE – With just a little more than four weeks to go until Election 2016, there are deep cracks showing in the foundations of support for both major party candidates.
New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte on Saturday announced she would not support Trump on Nov. 8, and intended to write-in Republican Vice Presidential nominee Michael Pence. In what has already been a difficult week for the Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Ayotte earlier this week had to do damage control after saying she saw Trump as a good role model, then reversed that comment, saying she misspoke.
Now this.
In the statement issued Saturday, Ayotte said: “I wanted to be able to support my party’s nominee, chosen by the people, because I feel strongly that we need a change in direction for our country. However, I’m a mom and an American first, and I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women. I will not be voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and instead will be writing in Governor (Mike) Pence for president on Election Day.”
A response was quickly issued by the New Hampshire Democratic Party, which characterized it as a “calculating and desperate attempt to salvage her political career.”
“Kelly Ayotte’s statement today is a cowardly calculation and desperate attempt to save her own skin after she determined supporting Trump would no longer be politically survivable. Speaking out against Trump only now and only after intense political pressure tacitly approves of all of the vile and disgusting things he has said and done before yesterday. Mocking a reporter with a disability, fat shaming women and attacking a Gold Star mother were not disqualifying to Kelly Ayotte. The only disqualification she recognizes is Trump’s damage to her own electoral odds.
“By throwing her support to Mike Pence, Ayotte is doubling down on the same extreme anti-women agenda that voters despise about Trump. Not only did Ayotte and Pence work together in Congress on a bill to allow hospitals to deny lifesaving medical care to women and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, but Pence has actually said that working mothers emotionally stunt their children and as Governor of Indiana has signed some of the most anti-choice and anti-women’s health legislation in the country into law.
“Kelly Ayotte’s cowardly pivot today is too little too late. New Hampshire voters have seen her for the callous and calculating politician she is and will reject her for it in one month.”
New Hampshire GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Horn sees things differently, and said Saturday that she respects Ayotte’s decision to write-in Pence, given her own reservations about Trump’s candidacy.
“I have clearly expressed my own concerns about Mr. Trump’s qualifications and statements in the past, but I respect that he was nominated by the people in a fair and open process. However, I remain deeply concerned about Mr. Trump’s erratic behavior, his outrageous comments and his ability to serve as our Commander in Chief. As the mother of five children, including an active duty United States Marine, I understand and respect Senator Ayotte’s decision to write in Governor Mike Pence for president on Election Day,” Horn said.
“Voters have learned a great deal more about both candidates since the close of the primary process. This has been a unique election. There will be no repercussions from the party directed at those who choose not to support Donald Trump,” Horn said. “I was elected by New Hampshire Republicans to advance the core principles and values of our great party and to get Republicans elected in New Hampshire. I remain fully committed to that responsibility. “
For GOP voters similarly troubled by Trump, Horn says Hillary Clinton is absolutely not an option, citing her record as Secretary of State, and the myriad investigations over the years that call into question Clinton’s personal and professional integrity.
On Oct. 7 WikiLeaks posted The Podesta Emails, which they say are excerpts of many of Clinton’s speeches directed to factions connected to Wall Street. During the primary process, Clinton’s speeches in exchange for large paychecks became a point of contention raised by her Democratic opponent Bernie Sanders. At that time, Clinton said she would not release the transcripts until all the other candidates running on both sides did the same.
Although yet unverified by Clinton’s campaign as authentic, Friday’s WikiLeaks posts appear to prove out allegations that Clinton pandered to the rich and powerful while on the speaking circuit, meanwhile portraying herself as a progressive with populist ideals while on the primary campaign stump.
“Hillary Clinton remains the most dishonest politician in America,” Horn said. “By lying to the mothers of fallen American soldiers she is also the most reprehensible.”
Trump responded to the backlash from within the Republican party Saturday by saying he had no intention of quitting.
“No, I’m not quitting this race. I have tremendous support,” Trump told the Washington Post on Oct. 8. “People are calling and saying, ‘Don’t even think about doing anything else but running.”
