"He needs someone highly experienced and very knowledgeable," McConnell said, reasoning that being more prepared could help improve Trump’s public image. "You see that in the debates in which he's participated. It's why I have argued to him publicly and privately that he ought to use a script more often, there is nothing wrong with having prepared texts."
McConnell suggests that having a script can help keep the billionaire from making the kinds of offensive statements that have become a hallmark. "I object to a whole series of things that he's said," stated the Senator, "vehemently object to them. I think all of that needs to stop. Both the shots at people he defeated in the primary and these attacks on various ethnic groups in the country." He added that using prepared statements, "indicates a level of seriousness that I think is important to convey to American people about the job you are seeking."
McConnell feels that not only were some of Trump’s comments in bad taste, but that it’s a bad strategy, given America’s shifting demographics.
"We are not going to be competitive in presidential elections appealing only to white voters and particularly writing off white women. So beyond the unfortunate part of the various things that our nominee has said, it's not smart politically."
Republican senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) has publicly rescinded his support of Trump, in part because of his anti-Mexico remarks, particularly those aimed at Mexican-American judge Gonzalo P. Curiel. Kirk said, "I find Donald Trump's belief that an American-born judge of Mexican descent is incapable of fairly presiding over his case is not only dead wrong, it is un-American," and that he, "cannot and will not" support Trump.
It might seem strange that McConnell chooses to endorse a candidate who he has such serious doubts about, but, like many Americans, the Senator feels that he’s making the best of a bad situation.
"I think the choice for many Americans is not a happy choice," McConnell said.
"You look at both these candidates, both of them have very high disapproval ratings. I think a lot of Americans are not going be thrilled at the choice. But this is the choice, and I think, for me, and I hope for a lot of others, the question to be dealt with is this: Do we want four more years just like the last eight, or do we want to go in a different direction?"
Although McConnell is willing to back Trump for now, he leaves the door open to possibly withdrawing his support.
"I'm not going to speculate about what he might say, or what I might do. But I think it's pretty clear and I've been pretty clear publicly about how I think he ought to change direction and I hope that's what we are going to see."
