'Vile – Repugnant – Misogynistic'

Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families Action Fund

"Donald Trump’s comments about women, on a tape that came to light yesterday, are vile, repugnant and utterly misogynistic. To hear a presidential candidate from a major political party bragging about harassing, assaulting and violating women is deeply distressing and absolutely appalling. Trump’s degrading comments about women have long been a source of concern, but this takes it to an even uglier level. These comments violate basic decency. 

Contrary to Mr. Trump’s so-called – and grossly inadequate – apology, this is much more than a distraction. It is a window into this candidate’s views and helps explain the disrespectful, predatory attitudes toward women that we continue to see in him today. A man who objectifies and demeans women can never be trusted to see us as equals and to champion the policies that allow us to participate fully and equally in society: fair pay, reproductive rights and justice, paid leave, anti-discrimination initiatives and others.

Nobody who respects women – who wants to see us advance in society and have a real chance to care for our families, prosper and thrive – who cares about the dignity and safety of their daughters, sisters, wives, mothers and friends – who wants to see the scourge of violence against women in our nation eradicated – should vote for this man. 

This is, quite simply, disqualifying. Our country needs and deserves much better."