With Trump And GOP In Crisis, Effects On New Hampshire Races And Second Presidential Debate

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump is preparing to take on his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in Sunday night's presidential debate — just as the Republican party is in crisis over his candidacy.

More than two dozen members of Congress and governors who had previously supported Trump have now disavowed him in the wake of Friday's release of a videotape in which Trump can be heard bragging about forcing himself on women. Others are distancing themselves from the candidate, and party leaders are facing calls to get Trump to drop out of the race.

Among those who previously said they would vote for Trump and who have now denounced him is New Hampshire Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte.

Andy Smith, associate professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, joined WBUR's Morning Edition, to assess how this is playing out in the swing state of New Hampshire and to preview the second presidential debate.