Democrats were not the only speakers at this year's Democratic National Convention. Republican speakers were featured at key moments, each presenting their case on why they chose to support Vice President Harris and Walz over former President Trump and vice president nominee J.D. Vance. Their speeches focused on calls for preserving democracy and the sanctity of the American Constitution. Their speeches posed Trump as an ideological threat to democracy and Kamala as the solution. Although it may seem like a small and inconsequential act of defiance for these individuals to side against their fellow Republicans, their choice is a commendable and brave one that puts their country before their party.
These party defectors aren’t exceedingly rare in the current political climate, with many feeling disturbed and turned off by the “cult-like” atmosphere that the Republican party has devolved in its support of Trump. Many are also tired of “making excuses” for Trump’s actions, as expressed by Republican former lieutenant governor of Georgia, Geoff Duncan. John Giles, Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, described how, even though he felt a bit out of place among Democrats at the DNC, he was more at home with them than with the current Republican party.
These speakers, like many others, continue to feel alienated by the Republican Party and are looking for a new community. Democrats have been wisely taking advantage of this, advertising themselves as not a party that is focused on bettering their own standing, but the standing of all Americans, regardless of how they identify politically.
Democrats have also been taking in those who used to work for or with Trump. Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House press secretary and former close aide to Melania Trump, also spoke at the DNC this past week endorsing Harris because “she respects the American people.” Olivia Troye, former counterterrorism advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence, wrote in an MSNBC article that even though she would “rather be backing a candidate from my own party for president,” she is backing Harris.
I think that politicians from each party should take a page out of Troye’s book and, even though it is a far-fetched dream, back a candidate not just because your party does, but because they are the best option for the country.
Acknowledgment: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author.
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