Today, I had a healthy conversation with a long-time DC Republican who’s been involved with the Republican Party for ages, and worked on the Hill. He described himself as a moderate-conservative Republican. Among the things he told me: 1) Really no one expected Trump to win; /1
2) He went to bed early on election night 2016 because there wasn’t any need to stay up later than his usual early bedtime to see HRC win; 3) He thought Trump’s win was a joke when he started reading about it on Nov. 9; 4) The only real plan was to get the stock market above /2
25,000; 5) He thinks everyone will drop Trump if the trade stuff tanks; 6) He agrees it makes no sense that Christians got quiet over the morality issues, but he thinks they got quiet b/c they care abt certain key issues that would be addressed; 7) He said it USED to be that /3
Republicans cared about the effects of their actions on people (ie w tax policy) but he is seeing that caring is much less of the case now when decisions are made; 8) He says McConnell is only only only about deals; 9) After I described my view of what Dems stand for, I asked /4
Him what is it that Republicans stand for. His answer was: smaller government & helping businesses (which also helps people by creating more jobs). I asked him how folks who wanted smaller govt felt about the added govt role of housing families & caring for separated immigrant /5
Kids because of the Trump policy. He acknowledged they didn’t care because they just don’t want folks crossing the border (IOW, govt can expand if it’s for R purposes, my words not his). So there you have it. He was not a jerk or defensive, acknowledged the hypocrisies, & did /6
Not apologize or seem embarrassed. Perfectly pleasant, & matter of fact. He confirmed for me that we have to vote these folks out. Without true values, without honest morality, their party is a vacant shell of power. And they all hate Trump & hold their noses. It is up to us now!
Last thing: his wife has had a major career and is a Democrat, and I have gotten to know her over the past year. Next time I see him I plan to discuss Russia and the R’s treatment of women. We ran out of time today. END
