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Nebraskan politicians weigh in on Trump's recent comments

Nebraskan politicians weigh in on Trump's recent comments
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Caught on tape making shockingly crude comments about a married woman he tried to seduce, Donald Trump declared in a midnight video, "I was wrong and I apologize."

Yet even as he did so, he claimed the astonishing recording was "nothing more than a distraction" and argued his words were not nearly as egregious as former President Bill Clinton's marital affairs.

"I've said some foolish things," the Republican presidential nominee said in a taped apology posted on his Facebook page early Saturday morning. "But there's a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women."

Now Trump is doing damage control Saturday after the 2005 recording about the candidate making vulgar comments about women went viral.

Local Nebraskan politicians were quick to weigh in.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer tweeted, “The comments made by Mr. Trump were disgusting and totally unacceptable under any circumstance."

She continued on to say, "It would be wise for him to step aside and allow Mike Pence to serve as our Party's nominee."

Sen. Ben Sasse shared that sentiment, saying “Character matter. Trump is obviously not going to win. But he can still make an honorable move; step aside and let Mike Pence try."

Sasse’s representative also told KMTV Sasse is likely to write in Pence because he wants to see Republican principles beat Hillary Clinton.

General Don Bacon, who’s running against Brad Ashford for Congress also says Trump should step aside.

He says:

“Donald Trump should stand down for the good of the country,” says General Don Bacon.  “His comments were utterly disgraceful and disqualifying.  Trump should allow a strong conservative candidate, like Mike Pence, from the GOP to win in November. His continued candidacy guarantees a Clinton victory and four more years of higher debt, more regulations, higher taxes, and failed foreign policies.  Regardless of who is our next President, I will go to Washington to be an independent voice for Nebraska's 2nd District, not a partisan politician."

Sen. Heath Mello told KMTV, "Mr. Trump's bragging comments about sexually assaulting women is the most offensive and disgusting behavior I've seen from a political candidate in my lifetime. But simply denouncing Mr. Trump's remarks doesn't go far enough. How Mayor Stothert can still consider voting for Donald Trump after he bragged about sexually assaulting women because he's a 'star' is beyond me."

But Mayor Jean Stothert says she may or may not vote for Trump, saying Trump’s comments are repulsive.

"As a female elected leader and mother, I will condemn comments like this regardless of who says them. A person's vote for President should be cast with confidence and enthusiasm in their choice; sentiments difficult for many to find this year. I'm no longer certain how I will vote but I've always wanted to support our nominee. But, I'll decide by Election Day along with everyone else.”

On Friday afternoon, The Washington Post and NBC News released a 2005 video on which Trump describes trying to have sex with a married woman. He also brags about women letting him kiss and grab them because he is famous.

"When you're a star they let you do it," Trump says. "You can do anything."

He adds seconds later, "Grab them by the p----. You can do anything."