Opinion: Republicans should have seen the light on Donald Trump months ago

To the editor: This article reports conflicting views within the Republican Party, especially those of House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, on whether the 2005 taped comments by presidential nominee Donald Trump indicating that he regards all women as his personal play toys disqualify him from becoming president. (“GOP civil war gathers force as House Speaker Paul Ryan cuts loose Donald Trump,” Oct. 10)

Aside from these comments, there are plenty of other reasons that Trump should not be president.

He has made admiring comments about autocratic Russian President Vladimir Putin. He would weaken U.S. support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He would pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate change accord. His economic “plan” would add many trillions to the U.S. debt over the next decade. He has said he would order U.S. combat troops to kill the families of terrorists. When told that U.S. troops would not follow the order because it would be a war crime, he replied, “If I say do it, they’re gonna do it,” indicating that he is a megalomaniac.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Al Barrett, Santa Monica

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To the editor: Trump got hammered in the first debate. Then came his “twitterstorm” bashing of former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, followed by a tape of him bragging about sexual assault.

Next was his stunt with the Clinton accusers, followed by a toxic second debate.

Now, Ryan has broken ranks with Trump and encouraged other Republican candidates to run like roaches in the light to save themselves. I think the time has come for Trump to declare bankruptcy on his bid to become president.

Alan Abajian, Alta Loma

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To the editor: It’s astonishing how spineless the Republican Party leadership is. If saying bad things about women is cause to abandon support for your candidate, then President Bill Clinton probably should have been marginalized. God only knows what Clinton may have said, but it is public knowledge that he did things with them — and while he was married to Hillary Clinton.

So, if Trump is losing the support of a has-been senator such as John McCain and a newbie such as Ryan, then I am not too concerned. Those poor fellows are worried about a future that won’t need them, and I think that’s what really scares them.

And since they can’t change with the times, they are trying to attack the symbol of that change. Good luck with that.

Arthur G. Saginian, Santa Clarita

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To the editor: Whether or not Trump’s words are “locker-room talk” is immaterial. The fact that Trump, his surrogates and regretfully many Republicans are perfectly OK with the objectification of women is what’s troubling.

This is one giant step backward for man — and mankind.

Ralph Cookey, Los Angeles

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