Blog No. 244, posted on December 31 of last year, was titled “The GOP: Can the Party of Lincoln Return?” After six months, it may be time to take stock, although now as then, the answer to the question is unclear. There are, however, some encouraging signs.
The earlier blog invoked the metaphor of Charles DeGaulle in exile in London during World War II, awaiting the defeat of Germany and his opportunity to return to France. At the same time, I could not dismiss the image of Japanese soldiers hiding in caves on Pacific islands refusing to acknowledge that the war was over. It remains difficult to see Republican insurgents in the role of DeGaulle, but at least an increasing number are beginning to leave their caves to come out and do battle. For the most part, those intrepid souls are not in government but even the somnolent Republicans in Congress have begun to experience wakeful moments. And Chief Justice John Roberts has shown courage in demonstrating that the Supreme Court need not be a rubber stamp for the administration’s disdain for the rule of law.
Before proceeding with the good news, however, it is well to pause for a moment and acknowledge a depressing item. On June 30, in Colorado, five-term Republican Congressman, Scott Tipton suffered a primary defeat at the hands of one Lauren Boebert. Rep. Tipton was no liberal and he had been endorsed by Trump, but his views were not extreme enough for Ms. Boebert. As the Wall Street Journal reported, Republican politicians and strategists were shocked: Boebert, a gun-toting restaurateur, had not only defied COVID-19 orders to close her restaurant, but is a follower of the QAnon conspiracy theories. (For a comprehensive survey of QAnon, see an article in the Atlantic, “The Prophecies of QAnon.”) The Republican National Committee congratulated Boebert and assured her that she would have its support. A primary result in a single state is not greatly important, but Boebert’s victory illustrates the depths to which the Republican Party has sunk. Moreover, Boebert is not alone; there are 12 Congressional candidates on the November ballot who have won primaries and have expressed in varying degrees approval of QAnon. It is a further indication that defeating Trump in November will not, by itself, be sufficient to put a stake through the heart of Trumpism.
Turning to more positive developments, the Lincoln Project, which I support and endorsed in the December blog, was co-founded by eight experienced and highly respected Republicans, including George Conway, Steve Schmidt and John Weaver. As their website states, “The founders of the Lincoln Project have spent over 200 years electing Republicans. But now, they’ve sparked a nationwide movement with a singular mission: To defeat Donald Trump and Trumpism.” The Lincoln Project has raised sufficient funds to run a series of hard-hitting ads against Trump that can be viewed on their website.
The December blog also endorsed Republicans for the Rule of Law. That organization notably includes Stanley Fried, Solicitor General in the Reagan Administration and currently on the faculty of Harvard Law School. As their website states:
Republicans for the Rule of Law is a group of life-long Republicans dedicated to defending the institutions of our republic and upholding the rule of law. We are fighting to make sure that the laws apply equally to everyone, from the average citizen to the president of the United States. We believe in fidelity to the Constitution, transparency, and the truth.
Their website offers several videos, including “Donald Trump Acts Like He’s a King.”
More recently, three additional organizations of insurgent Republicans have appeared. Republican Voters Against Trump has not only aired ads attacking Trump, but is collecting brief testimonials from Republicans and former Republicans who find it vitally important to defeat Donald Trump in November. If you go to the website, filter for California and drop down a few rows, you will find a few comments by your Chief RINO.
Right Side PAC was formed in June 2020 by Matt Borges, a former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, and Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as communications director in the Trump White House. Right Side will not run ads, but will “concentrate more on data and individualized turnout.” Scaramucci said that he was “very confident that we can convince a large group of Republican voters that Biden is the right person to vote for if they want to stay true to their principles and to the legacy of the Republican Party.” Right Side PAC said it would initially target Republicans in six battleground states—Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—with digital, mail, and telephone campaigns.
The latest organization of Republicans to oppose Trump is 43 Alumni for Biden. The group is comprised of men and women who worked in the administration of George W. Bush or in Bush campaigns. They seek to reach “a community of historically Republican voters who are dismayed and disappointed by the damage done to our nation by Donald Trump’s presidency.”
It is hard to say how much difference the several organizations of rebellious Republicans will make. Certainly, they will have little or no impact on the core of Trump’s base. On the other hand, polling indicates that Trump will have to reach well beyond his base if he is to survive in November. According to Real Clear Politics, Trump’s cumulative approval rating hovers just over 40 per cent and Biden’s lead in head to head comparisons is approaching double digits. Even among Republicans, the Pew Research Center reports that Trump’s approval has declined to 78 per cent from a previous high of 85 per cent. So, there are grounds for hope and, perhaps, even cautious optimism.
Yet, there is much time left between now and November 3. If anything is certain, it is that there will be numerous events during that period of which none of us presently have any idea. For my part, I intend to remain at least a nominal Republican through election day. If Trump is defeated, I will hope to contribute my own small voice to the restoration and redefinition of the Republican Party. If he is reelected, I will at last depart the Republican Party. A more radical departure, one for foreign shores, would be tempting, but in my ninth decade, would be difficult. So it is likely that I will remain in place and become an Independent or, heaven help me, a Democrat. RINOcracy.com will pass from sight but, who knows, might reappear as DINOcracy, with the rhinoceros icon exchanged for a dinosaur as I help to provide some check on the wilder impulses of the “progressive” wing of the Democratic Party. As our President is wont to say, we’ll see what happens.
The Lincoln Project ad-makers are crazy-brilliant. Are the ads airing on Fox?
Doug,
I continue to be educated and enlightened by your very readable blog posts. If you decide to leave the US, please take me with you.
I’ve been saying that to Doug for 3 years! He recently sent info to my husband and me suggesting the Falklands. (Not sold on that option, but talk to me on Nov 4th.).
Good to hear of the continuing and increasing emergence of anti-Trump Republican groups becoming active in the forthcoming election, and I suspect they will have an influential impact on the election’s outcome. Biden’s “battle for the soul of the nation” message should be well-framed to attract their wide appeal. I, for one, believe that if a generalization can be made about the collective Soul of America, it would fall in line with a desire for ever-increasing, incremental progression towards the liberal philosophical principles on which our founding fathers based the Constitution, Liberty, Equality, Justice. The progression has been a continuing work-in-progress, gradual steps forward, intermixed with periodic backward steps. May we return to the continuing steps forward!
Doug, I will gladly preside at your initiation ceremony!
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