Here in South/Central PA, Some Republicans Are Leaving Trump
...let's hope it's a harbinger of things to come
My wife and I have spent six weekends this Fall canvassing local registered voters on behalf of Adams County Democrats here in south-central PA. The weather’s been great, and the work satisfying.
As you may know, the “science” of political campaigning says that the most efficient and effective use of a volunteer’s time is knocking on the doors of that party’s own registered voters. The goal is to boost their enthusiasm and determination to vote; make sure they know their polling place; understand the vote-by-mail process and deadlines; and make sure they have a plan to vote.
Although campaigns don’t encourage spending time on members of the opposing party or independent voters, the data algorithms the campaigns apply identify some opposing party and independent voters as “possibly persuadable.” Accordingly, the voter contact lists I’ve worked this Fall have included about 10% who were registered “R” or Libertarian, and another 5% Independents.
Here’s what we’ve found…
“Wild Horses Couldn’t Keep Them Away.”
The registered Democrats would not miss this election for anything – to quote the Rolling Stones, “Wild Horses Couldn’t Keep Them Away.” But we expected that.
What was a bit of a surprise was the conversations we had with registered Republicans and Independents.
“Don’t want our granddaughter to have to face an America shaped by MAGA.”
Some anecdotes:
· One retired couple we met broke their lifelong allegiance to the Republican Party and have voted for Kamala Harris. Election denialism, and especially January 6 – broke that bond. They expressed bewilderment about their Republican friends who still stay loyal to Trump, attributing it to “tribalism.”
· The frail but feisty elderly lady – a Republican “by family tradition” -- who left Trump over his vulgarity, racism, and recent incoherence. She will not only vote “all Democrat,” but is also determined to transport her even frailer Democrat husband to the polls. When I offered help with transportation, she declined. I think she wants to put an exclamation point on her disaffection with her former party.
· An Independent couple invited me to sit on their porch while they expressed their disgust (and alarm) with Trump’s behavior, and their hope that their granddaughter would not have to face an America shaped by MAGA.
· The retired teacher and her banker husband, also lifelong Republicans, who are voting “D” down the line. “This is not my father’s Republican party,” was her sentiment.
So if you, too, are a Republican troubled by Trump’s behavior and recent apparent incoherence, but reluctant to break the “we always vote Republican here” habit, please think hard about the folks profiled above.
You can break with Trump, and still be a “real” Republican.