Write-in suggestions for Never-Trump Republicans
No, not Kanye
Jeffrey Denny
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said he “voted for Ronald Reagan” in this year’s election, writing in the name of the late president and conservative icon after concluding that he could support neither President Trump nor Democratic nominee Joe Biden. — Washington Post
Reports of President Trump’s ignominious landslide reelection defeat may be greatly exaggerated.
The simple reason is that nearly all Republicans still adore the job Trump is doing.
From the start, per Gallup, 80–90 percent of Republicans consistently have approved of Trump no matter what. Many obviously don’t mind Trump’s disastrous performance, incompetence, chaos, destruction, obstruction of justice, chronic lying, bullying and conduct unbecoming even a troubled child, countless promises broken and few real accomplishments, no reelection agenda, and shame he’s brought to the party, presidency and country.
Not to mention, of course, the 220,000 U.S. Covid deaths and 8.5 million cases now spiking anew especially in Trump states that blindly followed his medical advice.
Nevertheless, from mid-September through mid-October, Trump’s Republican approval rating actually matched his all-time high of 94 percent. While only 35 percent of Independents and 4 percent of Democrats approved.
This puts the remaining 6 percent of Republicans who disapprove of Trump under serious pressure to use their 2020 vote to save America from Trump.
Or at least save face with spouses, children, extended family, friends, neighbors, business associates, and God.
Problem is, many decent Republicans who want to vote against Trump can’t stomach voting for a Democrat, even a harmless, decent sensible moderate like Biden.
Not because they swallow the hilariously desperate Trump/Fox spin that Biden is demented and, as such, a puppet of AOC and the Socialists (a great name for a band). Many because their daddy always voted conservative as did their daddy’s daddy and his daddy and daddy’s daddy, etc., all the way back to the Mayflower.
As always, I want to help Trump-troubled Republicans.
Previously, I offered, “Tips for Sensible Republicans who are a bit ashamed of backing Trump,” face-saving answers when asked, “So, who did you vote for?”
Now I want to suggest a few Never Trump Republican write-in vote options that say: a) I didn’t help reelect Trump because my Republican ancestors would haunt me; b) I didn’t vote for a Democrat, even one my Republican ancestors would grudgingly accept; and, c) I care about my country as well as my investment portfolio.
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Other Republican presidents
Start with Abraham Lincoln. Born in a log cabin he built with his own hands. The first Republican. Ended slavery and did more for Blacks than even Trump. Preserved the union. Gave great speeches. Honorable fellow.
Reagan’s a fine choice too, especially since, as president, he didn’t care for Trump and, as his kids say, would have been appalled by Trump as president. Then there’s Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, Eisenhower, Ford, Bush and Bush. Or to be ironic, Nixon.
Third-party candidates
If you hate government even more than Trump and want someone even more norm-breaking, consider the Libertarian Party nominee on the ballot, Jo Jorgensen.
Omigod, Jorgensen was born in Libertyville, Illinois! Libertyville! Also, she was an IBM marketing rep before launching a software sales business in South Carolina. So she understands the hard-working entrepreneurial small business people who are the backbone of our economy and thus opposes taxes and regulations.
Jorgensen is also a proven winner. She defeated Libertarian primary candidate Vermin Supreme, a performance artist who wore a boot as a hat and carried a large toothbrush. Supreme campaigned on a platform of zombie apocalypse awareness and time travel research, and promised a free pony for every American. (It’s true — look him up.)
Better 2016 GOP candidates than Trump
There are 16 other than Trump to choose from. We knew then, and our worst fears are now confirmed, that none could be more despicable, divisive, damaging and pandering to the worst angels of our natures than Trump.
And if you love shameless hypocrisy, try Trump haters turned suckerfish Chris Christie, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham.
Any Bush
The decent, upstanding Republican family has made its utter disgust with Trump very clear. You can also trigger the libs in your family by writing in “war criminal” George W. Bush.
Or start a drumbeat for Pierce Bush, grandson of George H.W. and Barbara, who came in third in the GOP primary runoff this year for a House seat in Texas. He was both insufficiently supportive of Trump and ran as a “compassionate conservative.”
Remember that? What better way to trigger the MAGAs in your family who are destroying the party, presidency and country?
Jeffrey Denny is a Washington writer.
