Political world reacts with outrage to Trump's comments about women

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Donald Trump apologizes for leaked 2005 conversation

Will topic surface at the second presidential debate?

Below is a seletion of reaction from across the political spectrum to the emergence of audio featuring Donald Trump making crude remarks about women.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (via Twitter): "This is horrific. We can not allow this man to become president."

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine (via Twitter): "This kind of behavior is disgusting. It makes me sick to my stomach."

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus: "No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever."

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.: "I am sickened by what I heard today. Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.: "These comments are repugnant, and unacceptable in any circumstance. As the father of three daughters, I strongly believe that Trump needs to apologize directly to women and girls everywhere, and take full responsibility for the utter lack of respect for women shown in his comments on that tape."

Democratic National Committee Interim Chair Donna Brazile: "Donald Trump's offensive, degrading, and disgusting comments about women revealed today are beyond the pale and don't bear repeating. This was not ‘locker room banter.’ This is who Donald Trump is, and it is just the latest reminder of why he is unfit for the Presidency."

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah: "Donald Trump is a distraction. It's time for him to step aside so we can focus on the winning ideas that will carry Republicans through to a victory in November."

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah: "I can no longer endorse Donald Trump for the presidency. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton for President. This is so abhorrent and offensive."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.: "There are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive and demeaning comments. No woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behavior. He alone bears the burden of his conduct and alone should suffer the consequences."

Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. (via Twitter): ".@realDonaldTrump should drop out. @GOP should engage rules for emergency replacement."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (via Twitter): "Donald Trump's statements are beyond offensive & despicable. While I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton, I will not vote for Trump."

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (via Twitter): "Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America's face to the world."

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (via Twitter): "As the grandfather of two precious girls, I find that no apology can excuse away Donald Trump's reprehensible comments degrading women."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas (via Twitter): "These comments are disturbing and inappropriate, there is simply no excuse for them. Every wife, mother, daughter -- every person -- deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. (via Twitter): "Donald's comments were vulgar, egregious & impossible to justify. No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private."

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. (via Twitter): "America deserves far better than @realDonaldTrump."