GOP senator still doesn't support Trump after meeting with Pence

GOP senator still doesn't support Trump after meeting with Pence
By Jessie Hellmann - 08-07-16 10:45 AM EDT

A meeting with Donald Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, didn't change Sen. Jeff Flake's (R-Ariz.) mind about supporting Donald Trump for president.

But, Flake said Sunday, he hopes Pence, a conservative governor from Indiana, can have an impact on Trump's tone and policy positions.

"Mike and I go way back. We came in the House together. I have a lot of respect for him. ... I certainly respect him. I still told him I'm not ready to support Donald Trump," Flake said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

"I hope he has influence on Donald Trump, but I've yet to see Donald Trump change positions he needs to change," Flake said, adding that the businessman needs to adjust his tone if he wants to win in November.

Flake said Pence told him Trump is different in private than he is in public, something that is often said about the Republican candidate.

Flake rejected that defense.

"If you can govern in private, I guess it would be OK, but you can't, and I still have a problem with some of the statements that he's making."

He took issue especially with comments Trump made when launching his campaign about Mexico sending "rapists" and drugs to the U.S.

"That just doesn't sit well. ... You can't expect to win Arizona when you make statements like that."

Flake said he still hopes to be able to support Trump eventually.

"I still hope to support our nominee. It's becoming increasingly difficult to see that he's going to make the changes that he needs to."