Posted on 10/09/2016 2:53:04 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
As the embattled GOP presidential candidate faced fallout from lewd remarks captured in a 2005 video, R.I. party leaders are standing by him, and Trump's running mate attended a fundraiser at the Cliff Walk mansion Miramar.
NEWPORT, R.I. — Prominent Rhode Island Republicans stood by GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump on Saturday even as they condemned denigrating comments Trump made about women that have alienated many members of the party nationally.
"There is no way I can defend it," state Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick, the honorary chairman of the Trump campaign in Rhode Island, said of Trump's comments about women, captured in a 2005 video. "But I am more concerned about the destruction of this country."
"While he is flawed — there is no question about it — if I go back and look at all the problems that Bill Clinton had ... He was accused of rape ... and Hillary Clinton stood by him and attacked the women. It almost makes what Donald Trump [did] look like as being secondary. Not that I want to diminish it at all, because I don't want to do that," Trillo said Saturday.
While controversy surrounded Trump across the country on Saturday, his vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence, attended a private fundraiser at the Newport mansion Miramar.
Pence arrived at the Bellevue Avenue mansion around 7 p.m. and left shortly before 9 p.m. without speaking to the media.
For much of Saturday there was speculation that the fundraiser, with Pence as the headliner, might not happen.
Earlier in the day Pence issued a statement saying he was "offended by the words and actions of Donald Trump in an 11-year-old video."
"I do not condone his remarks and I cannot defend them. I am grateful he has expressed remorse and apologized to the American people," Pence said.
Pence's events were removed from Trump's website. (By Sunday morning, Pence's events were back on the website.)
While in Newport, Pence gave donors a "very positive message," according to state GOP Chairman Brandon Bell in a message to the Journal.
Pence "stuck to policy differences with the other side, the direction of the country here and abroad," Bell wrote.
Asked whether Pence alluded to any tension with Trump or the controversial comments, Bell wrote, "Not directly. He and his wife were so eloquent. Generally he told us to fight as hard as we can for the next 30 days (and beyond) for conservative principles."
On Friday, Bell had said Trump's "comments are inexcusable and demoralizing to women. They were 11 years ago, but it plays like he said them earlier today."
"I will vote for Trump. I will never vote for Hillary Clinton," Bell said. "She has repeatedly lied and is the most corrupt candidate ever to be a major party presidential nominee."
State GOP Chairman Brandon Bell — one of the hosts of the Newport fundraiser — had this reaction late Friday night to Trump's remarks on the video:
"His comments are inexcusable and demoralizing to women. They were 11 years ago, but it plays like he said them earlier today."
Asked whether he would still vote for Trump, Bell said: "I will vote for Trump. I will never vote for Hillary Clinton. She has repeatedly lied and is the most corrupt candidate ever to be a major party presidential nominee."
The fundraiser for the "Trump Victory" drive was held at Miramar, the 30,000-square-foot "summer cottage" built for railway magnate George Dunton Widener, who died in the sinking of the Titanic. It was purchased nearly a decade ago by retired Goldman Sachs partner David B. Ford for $17.15 million.
Tiered ticket prices to Saturday night's event — which was expected to draw the elite of the elite of Republican donors — started at $1,000 per person and rose to $2,700 for entry to a VIP reception, and $5,000 for entry to the VIP reception and a "photo opportunity."
A $25,000 donation would buy "two tickets to VIP reception, photo opportunity and roundtable."
According to the invitation, Trump Victory is "a joint fundraising committee" composed of Donald J. Trump for President Inc., the Republican National Committee and 21 state party committees. The Rhode Island GOP is not on the list. When asked why, Bell said: "The RNC Victory Fund is a bit complicated to explain. Most states on the list will not see money. Formula goes to battlegrounds first."
While several national Republican figures withdrew their support for Trump on Saturday, prominent Rhode Island Republicans stuck with him, for now.
"Like many other Republicans I am deeply troubled by Donald Trump's comments of 11 years ago," Cranston Mayor Allan Fung wrote in a statement. "However, I strongly disagree with the path that Hillary Clinton would choose for our nation. My only focus right now is on my own reelection. I look forward to hearing from the presidential candidates on Sunday night."
Asked for his comments on Trump's remarks, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian said he was "offended," but he stopped short of withdrawing his support.
"As someone who grew up politically working for reform with the likes of Claudine Schneider, Susan Farmer and Lila Sapinsley, this video is truly offensive. It definitely gives me pause and will require me to do some deep thinking."
The reaction to Trump's comments gave Rhode Island Democrats Saturday a chance to try to link him to state GOP candidates like Steven Frias, who is trying to unseat House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello in November.
"I am sickened by the revelation of Donald Trump’s crude and demeaning comments about women," said former state Democratic party chairman William Lynch, who is now a senior adviser to the party. "And yet, members of the Republican Party – Chairman Brandon Bell and former National Committeeman Steve Frias, now a candidate for House District 15, are standing by the man they voted for on the Convention floor. Shame on them."
In response, Frias used the opportunity to bring up Rep. John Carnevale, who was forced from seeking re-election when he could not prove he lived in his Providence district.
"Trump’s comments were obviously offensive but they are irrelevant to my State Rep race," Frias said in an email. "What is also offensive and actually relevant to my race is that Speaker Mattiello appointed Rep. John Carnevale to be House Finance Vice Chair although Carnevale had been indicted for sexual assault, and had only evaded trial because of his victim's death.
Hard to believe that there is any political activity in “Little Rhody” this year considering Mrs. Bill’s popularity there
“While he is flawed — there is no question about it”
No Democrat would say this about Hillary,EVER!
“I am more concerned about the destruction of this country.”
A voice of reason in Rhode Island. Thank you, Rep. Joseph Trillo.
I’m wondering if RI is up...RI and the New England states might flip...It would take a perfect night, but I’d like to see some Congress seat go from D to R. I’d love to see Blooming Idiot lose to Dan Carter...
Rhode Island, eh? I am surprised. Pleasantly so.
My wife and I have decided to donate to Trump if he comes out swinging tonight. And I mean swinging for the bleachers and naming names.
A whiff of grape does wonders for morale.
Contrast the WI pussy Ryan ...
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