Gov. Bill Haslam Calls on Donald Trump to Step Aside

NASHVILLE, TN — Add Tennessee's governor to the growing list of Republicans calling for Donald Trump to step aside as Republican nominee.

Gov. Bill Haslam issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying that Trump should give way to running mate Mike Pence and that if the real-estate developer and reality TV star does not do so, he will write in someone else when he votes.

“In the past I have expressed my concern with Donald Trump’s policy positions. Like many others, I have also objected to many of the things he has said during his campaign. Those concerns have kept me from endorsing him," the governor said. “I want to emphasize that character in our leaders does matter. None of us in elected office are perfect, but the decisions that are made in the Oval Office have too many consequences to ignore the behavior we have seen. It is time for the good of the nation and the Republican Party for Donald Trump to step aside and let Gov. Mike Pence assume the role as the party’s nominee. If he does not step aside, I will write in a Republican for the Office of President."

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Reflecting a national trend, evidenced by reports than Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus has told Republican staffers to vote their conscience and by the party apparently abandoning its effort to elect the bruised Trump in the wake of the release of the tapes in which he bragged lewdly about aggressive behavior towards women, Haslam's statement did include a get-out-the-vote message to shore-up down ticket races in November.

“Finally, I want to urge Republicans to vote. Now more than ever, who we elect to Congress and our state and local offices is critical to the future of this country and state that we love.”

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