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Mark Margavage said he’s had enough of “polished politics.”
Margavage, an Edwardsville resident, said he believes Republican Donald Trump is a better presidential candidate than Democrat Hillary Clinton, regardless of the sexually charged comments Trump was recorded as saying about women in 2005.
Margavage said many men make similar comments about women. And he’s not alone in his support for Trump.
In an informal Times Leader poll Saturday on Facebook, an overwhelming majority of Trump backers said they still plan to vote for him despite his lewd comments 11 years ago. The poll had reached nearly 7,000 readers over the course of a few hours.
“I bet Bill (Clinton) said some of those things too,” Margavage said from a barstool at the VFW in Larksville. “It’s not fair to bring up something from 2005.”
Across the bar, Joe Bendick shared many of Margavage’s views about Trump’s remarks, in which the married businessman said in part that he had tried to f—- another woman but had failed.
It wasn’t clear when the event Trump was describing took place. He apologized for the remarks early Saturday morning.
“A lot of people said a lot of things 12 years ago,” Bendick said. “It has nothing to do with running our country.”
Bendick said he hoped voters would focus on the issues.
“We need to deal with issues like immigration and welfare reform,” he said. “I’m tired of buying spaghetti at the supermarket with people on food stamps buying lobster.”
Ted Pergosky, of Hazleton, made the trip to join his friends at the VFW. He said Trump made a mistake in remarks made about receiving a Purple Heart, having never served in the military.
“I have two Purple Hearts,” Pergosky said. “But I forgive him for that. He gets carried away sometimes.”
Pergosky said Trump has presented a platform that will benefit Americans.
“He’s going to make sure that people don’t take advantage of welfare,” he said. “It’s OK if you’re on welfare for a little while, but not forever.”
Bendick also emphasized Trump’s business acumen.
“He’s a smart businessman, and given the massive debt we have, we need that,” he said. “Trump is a financial genius.”
Local Republican politicians also appear to be sticking with Trump.
U.S. Rep Tom Marino, R-Lycoming Township, called Trump’s comments about women “disgusting” and “without excuse.” But he said he remains the better candidate.
“Many have asked if I will continue to work to support Mr. Trump’s candidacy. All I can say is that I will be watching in the coming days and I am hopeful he can make amends,” Marino said in an email. “The American people cannot afford another four years of Obama’s failed policies, and that is what a Hillary Clinton presidency guarantees.”
In an email, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, voiced his continuing support for Trump.
“Donald Trump’s comments were indefensible, demeaning and totally inappropriate,” Barletta said. “He needed to apologize and take responsibility for his actions, and I am glad he took that important step. This election is about the future direction of our country, and we should not hand the keys over to Hillary Clinton.”