WILKES-BARRE — Democrat Katie McGinty on Monday took aim at Donald Trump hours ahead of the Republican presidential nominee’s appearance in Wilkes-Barre Township, admonishing the businessman’s crude remarks about women while challenging her opponent for U.S. Senate to “man up” and denounce him.

McGinty, speaking at Hillary Clinton’s campaign headquarters in downtown Wilkes-Barre, called upon incumbent U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville, to make it clear he won’t stand with a candidate she believes is unfit to hold the nation’s highest office.

Toomey, the Northeastern Philadelphia native said, is “cowering in the corners” instead of explaining “how he could still be standing with a person as demeaning and debased as Donald Trump.”

Trump’s comments in a 2005 video released late last week brought down heavy fire on the candidate, including calls from some GOP leaders for Trump to quit the presidential race. In the video, Trump is heard describing attempts to have sex with a married woman. He also brags about women letting him kiss and grab them because he is famous.

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Trump has apologized for the remarks, banter he repeatedly calls “locker room talk.”

McGinty said they amount to a crime.

“There’s nothing funny about what Donald Trump has been about,” McGinty said. “This is a man who is confessing to and bragging about sexually assaulting women.”

In a statement released Monday, Toomey said he has repeatedly spoken out against Trump and his behavior.

“I have not endorsed Donald Trump and I have repeatedly spoken out against his flawed policies and his outrageous comments, including his indefensible and appalling comments about women,” Toomey said, adding his opponent has been silent on Clinton’s “disastrous policies.”

Trump, fresh off an improved performance in Sunday night’s second presidential debate, is scheduled to appear at a rally Monday evening at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Lines outside the venue were already forming late Monday morning.

Trump’s appearance at the arena in April drew a sell-out crowd.

McGinty said she hopes this visit features a rebuke from Trump for his “lewd and lecherous” comments about women.

“I think it would be terrific if he finally leveled with the people of Pennsylvania and the country and thoroughly and totally apologized for his disgusting behavior,” McGinty said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Katie McGinty, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, holds a press conference with Bob McDonald, left, a Democrat running for state representative in the 120th District, and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, at the Hillary Clinton campaign office in Wikes-Barre on Monday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_TTL101116McGinty1-7.jpg.optimal.jpgKatie McGinty, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, holds a press conference with Bob McDonald, left, a Democrat running for state representative in the 120th District, and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, at the Hillary Clinton campaign office in Wikes-Barre on Monday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
Democrat challenger says senator needs to ‘man up’

By Joe Dolinsky

jdolinsky@timesleader.com

Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL.

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