Over 200 GOP Alumni Endorse Harris, Warn Against Trump's Return
More than 200 former Republican staffers have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, citing concerns about a potential second Trump presidency. The group, which includes alumni from Bush, Romney, and McCain administrations, emphasized the importance of putting country before party.
In a significant political development, over 200 former Republican staffers have publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election. This group, comprising individuals who previously worked for President George W. Bush, Senator Mitt Romney, and the late Senator John McCain, has expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences of a second Donald Trump presidency.
The endorsement, published in USA Today, features 238 signatures from prominent GOP alumni. This move echoes a similar action taken by the group in 2020 when they supported Joe Biden against Trump. The current endorsement includes at least five former staffers of the late President George H.W. Bush, broadening the scope of Republican opposition to Trump's potential return to office.
Notable signatories include Jean Becker, chief of staff to George H.W. Bush, Mark Salter and Chris Koch, former chiefs of staff for McCain, David Nierenberg, Romney's 2012 campaign finance chair, and David Garman, undersecretary for energy under George W. Bush.
The letter acknowledges ideological differences with Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, but emphasizes that the alternative is "simply untenable." It criticizes Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, for their approach to foreign policy, particularly their stance towards allies and perceived leniency towards leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"A second Trump presidency will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions."
The group highlights the crucial role played by moderate Republicans and conservative independents in swing states during the 2020 election, urging them to once again "take a brave stand" by supporting Harris over Trump.
This endorsement underscores the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party regarding Trump's influence. At the recent Democratic National Convention, several Republicans publicly supported Harris, including Stephanie Grisham, Trump's former press secretary, who cited the January 6, 2021 insurrection as her breaking point with the former president.
Other Republicans who spoke at the convention included John Giles, mayor of Mesa, Arizona, and former congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump.
This unprecedented level of Republican support for a Democratic vice presidential candidate reflects the complex political landscape and the ongoing debate about the future direction of the GOP. As the election approaches, the impact of these endorsements on voter behavior, particularly in key swing states, remains to be seen.
