I never thought I would leave the Republican Party, but I'm voting Biden-Harris this fall [View all]

[UpInArms]

Last edited Mon Aug 24, 2020, 08:59 AM - Edit history (1)

Four and a half years ago I considered myself a Republican, but then Donald Trump became the Republican nominee for president. Once his nomination was secured and it was clear the GOP would welcome his rhetoric with open arms, the party as I knew it was long gone.

This is the first year that I watched the Democratic National Convention without a Republican lens and found myself agreeing with the issues, speakers and most of all the positive rhetoric. The Democrats spoke of love and family, showing just how personal this election is for so many. Despite the doom and gloom that surrounds us, somehow the DNC was able to showcase the best of America and convey that the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket is fighting to not only restore America but to make her more equal and just for all.

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But, after a week of watching virtual convention speeches, I couldn’t be more hopeful that on Election Day, America will do the right thing and vote like our lives depend on it. I recognized just how many of my views of the Democratic Party were shaped by the talking points of the GOP and just how wrong that was. Over the past four years, my eyes have been opened and my views forever changed. I have come to realize that all along, I aligned more with the moderate wing of the Democratic Party.

I used to have some friends who joked that I was a closet Democrat or a bleeding heart liberal because I did so much community service and volunteer work, as though service to others was a bad thing. Well, I guess they were right — deep down, the Democratic Party has always aligned more with my values; it just took me a while to get there.

More at:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2020/08/24/trump-ruined-republican-party-for-me-choosing-biden-2020-column/3424095001/

eta:

Independent Ashley Pratte, a former Republican, is a communications strategist and a board member of Republican Women for Progress. Previously she was director of media relations and a consultant for Better for America. Follow her on Twitter: @AshPratte