Darryl Paulson
(Last of three parts)
Now that Donald Trump has secured the Republican presidential nomination, what options are available to Republicans who are unsatisfied with their party’s nominee?
One option is not to vote for Trump, but to support Hillary Clinton. Some Republicans will choose this option. Women who are disgusted with Trump’s insults and Republicans who prefer someone with strong defense credentials are likely Clinton supporters.
To many conservatives and Republicans, the choice between Trump and Clinton is a Hobson’s Choice. How do you choose between two equally bad liberal Democrats from New York?
Others will argue that the choice comes down to party loyalty and that demands that Republicans support Trump. They argue that Trump clearly received more votes than any other Republican candidate and won more primaries. To the victor goes the spoils.
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Reince Priebus has said that “it is essential to victory in November that we support our candidate.”
Critics argue that party loyalty is important, but there are other things more important, such as the safety and security of the nation. Picking a presidential candidate is more about furthering the national interests of the United States than it is about picking a Republican or Democrat.
A growing list of prominent Republican elected officials, political commentators and conservative intellectuals are jumping aboard the “No Trump” bandwagon. As columnist David Brooks observes, “this is a Joe McCarthy moment. People will be judged by where they stood at this time.” Those who supported Trump, notes Brooks, will be “tainted forever.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced that he cannot support Trump “at this time. I’m not there right now. And I hope to be, though, and I want to be.”
Ryan argues that Trump needs to show support for Republican principles. While most Republicans call for reigning in Medicare and Social Security to control the debt, Trump wants them untouched.
Most Republicans favor a muscular foreign policy; Trump is an isolationist. The Republican Party favors religious freedom, but Trump wants to ban every Muslim in the world from our shores. Some Liberty.
Those who oppose Trump have praised Ryan for providing political cover for other Republican elected officials to do the same thing. Critics slam Ryan. Bill Bennett called Ryan’s statement “a slap at the people,” while former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee tweeted: “If you’re not going to support voters’ choice, leave the GOP.”
Priebus has scheduled a Thursday meeting between Trump and Ryan. Don’t expect any miracles. Trump had indicated he will meet with Ryan “before we go our separate ways.”
A third option for Republicans is to support an independent or third party alternative. Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol has met with retired Marine Gen. James Mattis and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney about a third party run. Mattis has turned down the offer and Romney appears unlikely to make another run.
Supporters of the third party option point out that Trump has the highest “unfavorable” ratings of any presidential candidate in modern history, and Clinton is not far behind. A third party would provide an alternative for those who can’t support either of them.
Critics object that it would be a losing effort and many of the state deadlines to get on the ballot are fast approaching.
A fourth option is simply not to vote in the presidential race. Why pick between evil and worse? Neither candidate deserves the support of the American voter and a non-vote is one way to protest.
Critics argue that a no-vote is taking the easy way out and avoiding making the best of bad options. Not voting is avoiding your moral responsibility to select the best or “least bad” option.
A final option is to take the battle directly to Trump and do whatever possible to prevent him from becoming president. Republicans must disown Trump even if it means losing the election. The stakes are that high.
The opposition must convince voters that there is a higher loyalty than party voting. If necessary, elected officials and party leaders may have to engage in “Profiles in Courage” to defeat Trump. This may mean that individuals like Priebus and Ryan may have to give up chairing the RNC or presiding over the national convention.
Republicans must oppose Trump for the simple reason he is not qualified to hold the nation’s highest office. He is a race-baiter who uses hatred and stereotypes to stir up his followers. In addition, Trump advocates violence against his critics and torture against America’s enemies. Finally, Trump is a pathological liar. His attack on Ted Cruz’s father for being involved in the JFK assassination should be proof enough.
Opposing Trump may mean that Clinton will win. Winning cannot be the only objective. This election is about protecting the values of the Republican Party and, more importantly, protecting the United States.
As Hunter S. Thompson wrote in “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72”:
“Jesus! Where will it end? How low do you have to stoop in this country to be President?”
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Darryl Paulson is Emeritus Professor of Government at USF St. Petersburg. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
