At the beginning of all of this (2015-16), there was a fairly large #NeverTrump constituency, generally made up of two kinds of Republicans and conservatives.
The first group believed Trump was a liberal in conservative clothes. They preferred Ted Cruz or another candidate… 1/
The first group believed Trump was a liberal in conservative clothes. They preferred Ted Cruz or another candidate… 1/
…whose politics they knew and trusted. They may have found Trump to be a cad and probably disliked his lack of discipline. But they mainly took issue with him on policy.
The second group may have had policy questions too, but those were far superseded by character concerns. 2/
The second group may have had policy questions too, but those were far superseded by character concerns. 2/
For this group, it didn’t matter as much what Trump might accomplish. He was dishonorable, deceitful, divisive, manipulative, and narcissistic—all disqualifying traits for POTUS because they can lead to corruption and abuse of power. He would degrade the dignity of the office. 3/
Further, he was building a frightening cult-like following, and shamelessly appealing to people’s prejudices and grievances to grow it. Any student of history knows how dangerous such movements are. They can destroy an otherwise functioning (even though flawed) republic. 4/
Once Trump clinched the GOP nomination and later won the general election, that first group decided to give him a chance, reasoning that he was “still better than Hillary.” As the years went by, though they would occasionally call out Trump, they were mostly pleased. 5/
They got the judges they wanted. They got the tax cuts they wanted. They got the deregulation they wanted. So they turned their ire on the second group. Called them “liberals.” Claimed they had “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Said they were just whining over “mean tweets.” 6/
The second group stood their ground, watching in horror as other people changed. Bit by bit, Trump chiseled away at their sense of justice, their belief in the Constitution, their morals. They began to defend the indefensible—things they never would have tolerated before. 7/
That second group is me and all of you. We’re still here waiting for the first group to come around. To finally “see it” again. To get past their feelings about Democrats and liberals in order to face this fact: Donald Trump was never fit to serve as leader of the free world. 8/
It’s all too easy to be cynical, resentful, indignant. But in the end, what does that do for us? It makes us more like Trump and less like the Americans we used to be. My faith in others has been shaken—and that won’t easily resolve—but if and when people do see the light… 9/
…about Trump, we have to find a way to unite again on common ground, without hardening our hearts. It’s the only way to save the country.
MAGA true believers, QAnon, white nationalists—they’re not going anywhere. So we need everyone all in, fighting for our democracy. 10/10
MAGA true believers, QAnon, white nationalists—they’re not going anywhere. So we need everyone all in, fighting for our democracy. 10/10
P.S. Just a few clarifications…
1. I am NOT including here the GOP officeholders who cravenly enabled this. They cannot be trusted to hold power again.
2. There is NO quarter for the Big Lie. Any converts to Team America need to let that shit go.
3. I’ve voted Dem since 2016.
1. I am NOT including here the GOP officeholders who cravenly enabled this. They cannot be trusted to hold power again.
2. There is NO quarter for the Big Lie. Any converts to Team America need to let that shit go.
3. I’ve voted Dem since 2016.
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