Leaving the GOP After 46 years and feeling 'politically homeless'
Category: News & Politics
Via: flynavy1 • 3 years ago • 10 commentsBy: Myra Adams, Opinion Contributor (MSN)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Leaving the GOP After 46 years and feeling 'politically homeless'
Forty-six years have passed since I first joined College Republicans. Sadly, after decades of embracing (and often defending) my Republican identity, I am re-registering as an independent voter. Psychologically this action equates to a painful divorce, leaving me disheartened, discouraged and alone.
But I am not alone. There are tens of thousands, perhaps even millions, of former Republicans newly estranged from the "Trumplican" Party - aptly named for the man who highjacked what used to be a "big tent" party. That's the Republican Party I remember joining when those with diverse opinions were still welcomed.
In the Trumplican-era, RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), including those who worked for either of the President Bushes, Sens. John McCain and Mitt Romney, have been routinely demeaned, marginalized and branded with the most "despised" moniker - "Never Trumpers."
Starting in mid-2016 after Trump won the presidential nomination, the old Grand Old Party whittled away, and the "big tent" was exclusively used for MAGA rallies. Rising from the passion was party leadership with cult-like allegiance to Donald J. Trump.
Organically starting at the county level, the adoration virus spread to the state parties and infected the Republican National Committee. Then came a historic political transformation: After decades of idolizing Ronald Reagan, the faithful started believing President Donald Trump was greater than Reagan. The shift was intolerant and arrogant, and it was not uncommon to hear that Trump was the "best president ever," even better than Lincoln.
A friend from a swing state who served in Republican club leadership positions grew disgusted by the "blind" Trumplican allegiance. Yesterday in an email, she wrote, "I am saddened by the Republican Party. Donald Trump turned the values of the party upside down and pitted people against each other. He was never a true Republican but a divider who wanted to control it all."
The notion of "pitting people against each other" eventually turned deadly, turning off some long-time GOP voters. This week, unprompted, a non-political professional told me he has left the Republican Party, as have his associates after holding Trump responsible for the Capitol attack.
Indeed it is comforting to know other former Republicans, but the question is: Where do we go? Certainly not to the Democratic Party, after reading President Biden's initial avalanche of predictable liberal-leaning executive orders. Among them are controversial "transgender protections" that may effectively end some female sports by allowing biological males to compete on the same playing field. For a newly-minted president who championed and campaigned on unity, many of Biden's executive orders have inflamed Republicans.
Amazingly, in his inaugural address, Biden asked the nation to "end this uncivil war" with Civil War-era levels of polarization resulting in what he called "a broken land."
Meanwhile, over at my broken former party, a new civil war has begun between Trump supporters and those who know the party can never win another national election with Trump as the king or kingmaker. Ironically, during the 2020 campaign, the GOP had never been so unified. Such lock-step solidarity was easily explained: Trump ruled by fear, especially with elected officials terrified they would be subject to tyrannical tweets with threats of being "primaried."
Then came Nov. 3, followed by two months of Trump perpetuating the "Big Lie" that the election was stolen and that he had won in a landslide. On Jan. 6, the day after the GOP blamed Trump for losing the Senate, he incited a deadly insurrection to overturn the Electoral College certification. A week later, the House of Representatives impeached Trump for a second time, and homeless Republicans thought, "now everything will change."
But never underestimate the power of a cult of personality. This week after a preliminary vote, it became clear that an overwhelming majority of Republican senators still fear the former president and would not vote to convict. Why not erase the Constitution's impeachment clause at the same time? God forbid if a future president uses Trump as a governing role model.
While many Republicans shamelessly cower to Trump and his loyal base, an inevitable Senate acquittal will further embolden him and his elected acolytes to inflict pain upon GOP leaders who voted for impeachment and conviction. It is ludicrous that Trump threatened to start a third party while he controls a party that chiefly exists to serve and defend him. In the foreseeable future, Trump's iron rule will continue to squelch any rebel voices of reason.
Ultimately, Republicans can't live with or without Trump. I can't live with the Democrats, so for now I live in my tent, politically homeless.
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I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for people like this....... The right allowed for the creation of Trumpenstein, and turned it loose on the country.
Everyone inside the GOP knew what Trump was, and did nothing about it. Now that the monster is loose, all they want to do is hide from their responsibility of the damage done to the country and the once great party of Lincoln.
I have said this many times, and I know some people are sick of hearing it, but too bad.
BEFORE the 2016 election it was well known that Trump was a habitual liar, a crook, a bigot, a moron and a cheat. Not an "opinion" but based on fact.
Yet people voted for him anyway, supposedly because Hillary was this or that negative characteristic. People say they voted for Trump as the "lesser of two evils". It is utterly absurd.
Trump was elected because of white grievance and the fear many people had that "their" country was becoming too diverse for their liking.
Lesser of two evils....
The GOP and their supporting cast like Fox and Rush.... No shame, and to date.... no accountability. And I doubt we will ever see either out of them....
I disagree. No one knew what kind of president Trump would turn out to, but he had less negatives than HRC. Now, he has walked off the stage, disgraced and defeated. I'm pretty certain he will gradually fade into obscurity. While I agree with just about all his policies and what he accomplished, I could never handle his dimwitted personality and lack of awareness about what the voters really want. Biden won not because the voters desired the Democrat agenda, but because Trump alienated too many people because of the lack of any kind of filter between his brain and his mouth. When he needed to be quiet and shut of the fuck up, he simply doubled down saying stupid shit. When he should have let the expected lawsuits play out, he bellowed even louder. His actions and antics the last few weeks were an absolute disgrace. But before the midterms, his supporters will have found another Republican voice to rally around. Maybe Nikki Haley, maybe Ben Shapiro, who knows. But Trump is soiled, tainted, and damaged goods.
Having said all that, I too will be registering as an independent. My folks were Republicans and I have been one almost all my life. Being of some years, the first president I voted for was Eisenhower. I also voted for JFK and was very sad to see him assassinated. The Republicans left me, not the other way around. I could not, now, or ever, vote for another Democrat. as they are ruled by extremists. I expect to see them lose the House when a few million of the temporary Democrat voters come to their senses. It's time for the Dem faithful to forget about Trump and get on with supporting their president. The voters are not buying their false narratives about thousands of "white supremacists" in the Republican ranks, or that there is "systemic racism" occurring in the US
Anyhow, fire away. Efforts to shame me are futile
Completely ludicrous.
That may be true. To evaluate it, we need to know what HRC's negatives were. Could you give us your list?
"I'm pretty certain he will gradually fade into obscurity."
Gradually? Doubtful
Since the former 'president' has been in the spotlight just about 24/7 since 2015 and loves being the center of attention, I doubt he 'will go softly into that good night'
They are reaping what they sowed and it is not a pretty sight.
Republicans knew what Trump was four years ago and they made excuses for him for the past four years. Now it looks like McConnell and MaCarthy are back on the Trump bandwagon.
I could really give a shit less if they feel homeless or they have to kiss Trump ass for another four years.
I could have accepted this three years ago. Two, even.
But not after four full years of Trump.
Rat leaving a sinking ship.