Why don't more Republicans speak out against Trump?
Political courage — the idea that you should stand up and do the right thing, even if no one else will — is so much a part of the American ideal that it has become a common movie plot.
In “Twelve Angry Men,” Henry Fonda is the lone jury vote in favor of acquittal in a murder case. His determination to do the right thing despite the hostility he faces eventually convinces his fellow jurors to move over to his side.
And in the classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," an idealistic Jimmy Stewart takes on the powers that be from the floor of the U.S. Senate, dramatically collapsing after a day-long filibuster as he takes a stand against entrenched political corruption.
That’s why the embarrassed silence that has greeted former Rep. Liz Cheney’s endorsement of Kamala Harris is so disheartening.
This is the part of the movie where other prominent Republicans of character are supposed to stand up and say, “She’s right. I can’t keep silent. Donald Trump is a threat to our democracy and America’s place in the world.”
Instead, we get JD Vance, doing jump scares about Hatians eating pets in Ohio.
Nonetheless, Liz Cheney is not unique. While only a handful of prominent Republicans have matched her by endorsing Harris, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a lot of less-famous Republicans have been equally courageous in protecting the republic from their own party’s presidential nominee.
Back in 2020, Aaron Van Langevelde, the Republican co-chair of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, faced enormous pressure not to certify the election results for Joe Biden. He resisted that pressure and gave us perhaps the most dignified soundbite in American history. “As John Adams once said, ‘We are a government of laws, not of men.’ This board needs to adhere to that principle here today. This board must do its part to uphold the rule of law and comply with our legal duty to certify this election.”
It cost him his job, just as speaking up against Trump cost Liz Cheney her job. But I doubt either regrets the decision.
Cheney and Van Langevelde took a public stand and put country before party at a time when they had real skin in the game. Not everyone is as brave and as selfless as they are, and I understand that some people will fail the test. What really puzzles me are the people who can freely speak their minds without consequence but don’t.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has spoken up and endorsed Harris because Trump is “a threat to our republic.” You can say a lot of things about Dick Cheney, but certainly no one can call him a liberal or a squish. If Dick Cheney has taken a public stand against Donald Trump, any Republican can.
So when he endorsed Harris, there was a lot of speculation that former President George W. Bush would endorse, too.
That would have a real impact on the race. As a former Republican president, his endorsement would weigh heavily with old-school Reagan Republicans. And despite Trump's takeover of the party apparatus, there are still a lot of these Republicans around. Nikki Haley got hundreds of thousands of votes in swing states like Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia even after she dropped out of the race last year. That's more than enough to deliver those states to Harris and stop Trump from regaining the presidency.
Bush, however, is apparently above such petty concerns. Instead of making an endorsement, his office simply said that “President Bush retired from presidential politics years ago.”
But it doesn’t work that way. When your country calls, you can’t just roll it over to voicemail because you don’t want to deal with it, especially when you are an elder statesman like an ex-president. Patriotism is for life.
Just ask former President Carter, who has been in hospice now for over a year. Carter, who turns 100 on Oct. 1, isn’t interested in his birthday. Because Georgia is a swing state and every vote counts, he says he’s “only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris.”
Yes, that’s correct — the man’s only remaining wish is to use his dying breath to help protect American democracy, by voting. I was never a big fan of Carter’s presidency, but if that kind of devotion to duty doesn’t both shame you and inspire you, you’ve lived a much more righteous life than I have.
And how does Bush stack up in comparison? Not great. Despite his lofty disdain for “presidential politics,” he’s happy to reap the perks by attending presidential events and hobnobbing with Michelle Obama. He’s also happy to use his status as an elder statesman to offer the sitting president advice so long as he can plug his new book at the same time. He’ll even turn up at your corporate event or bar mitzvah and tell you about “the challenges facing our nation in the 21st century” if you pay him enough.
A wise president once said, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.” When something does threaten those foundations, we cannot stand idly by. If you believe that Donald Trump is a threat to our republic, then you owe America your honest opinion, whether you are a member of a state canvassing board, a former Cabinet secretary, or an ex-president.
Just this once, put your feelings aside, wave your speaking fee, and do what you know is right.
Chris Truax is an appellate attorney who served as Southern California chair for John McCain’s primary campaign in 2008.
Date: | |
Tag: | Republican Party |
Topics
-
CBS News - Top stories
Trump rails against Jewish Americans who don't vote for him
Former President Trump said if he doesn't win in November, "the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens."14 hours ago - Donald Trump -
CBS Sports - Sports
Why did Arch Manning commit to Texas? How Longhorns won out over offers from Alabama, Georgia, many more
The most high-profile recruit we've seen committed to Texas on the heels of a 5-7 season10 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Stephen A. Smith: Trump 'speaks a lot of folks' language,' but Harris going to win
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the current state of the presidential race, suggesting that while former President Trump "speaks a lot of folks' language," he believes Vice ...12 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Ohio’s Republican governor condemns Trump and Vance for Springfield claims
Mike DeWine criticizes pair in New York Times op-ed for repeating racist claims about Haitian immigrants. Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, on Friday criticized former US president Donald ...7 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Ohio GOP governor in NYT: 'I don't recognize the Springfield that Trump and Vance describe'
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is attempting to paint a different picture of Springfield and its "rich history" than the one portrayed by false claims from former President Trump and his running mate, ...13 hours ago - Donald Trump -
CBS News - Top stories
Trump slams Jewish Americans against him, makes Israel warnings
Former President Donald Trump slammed Jewish Americans who may not support him and warned of Israel's potential eradication if he loses 2024 election. CBS News political director Fin Gómez has more ...9 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The New York Times - Top stories
These Voters Don’t Want to Commit to Trump or Harris. Here’s Why.
Those still weighing their options are more likely to be young, Black or Latino — and struggling. Many see their choice as the “lesser of two evils.”6 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Kamala Harris at Wisconsin rally: ‘Women have died because of Trump’s abortion bans’ – live
Vice-president again highlighted case of Amber Thurman, who died in Georgia due to strict abortion ban. Kamala Harris will be in Georgia today and is expected to speak about Donald Trump’s role ...3 hours ago - Abortion -
CBS Sports - Sports
Morgan Moses injury update: Jets RT to get knee evaluated Friday after getting rolled up on against Patriots
Moses was a key addition by the Jets this offseason as they looked to revamp the O-line23 hours ago - NFL -
The Hill - Politics
Harris edges out Trump by 2 points in Virginia survey
A new poll finds Vice President Harris beating former President Trump by 2 points in Virginia. The survey, conducted by the University of Mary Washington, found that in a two-way race, 48 percent ...10 hours ago - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
De Blasio 'shocked' by report on COVID czar partying during lockdowns
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was “shocked” by the recent report regarding a former New York City official in charge of the COVID-19 pandemic who admitted he was partying during ...25 minutes ago - Covid -
The Hill - Politics
SEC plans to reprimand Musk for skipping testimony on Twitter takeover
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is planning to reprimand billionaire Elon Musk for skipping a previously-scheduled September testimony part of the agency’s investigation into the ...2 hours ago - Elon Musk -
The Hill - Politics
Ramaswamy shrugs off GOP 'mistakes' in Springfield migrant claims
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy shrugged off Republicans’ “mistakes” in making false claims about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, attacking the media for focusing on a ...3 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Harris tells Wisconsin rally: ‘Let’s not pay too much attention to the polls’
Vice President Harris on Friday night told rallygoers in Wisconsin not to pay too much attention to the polls, which paint the presidential race as largely neck-and-neck against former President ...3 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
GOP senator suggests Mark Robinson should take legal action or leave the race
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) suggested that North Carolina’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson should take legal action against the media or exit the race. “If the reporting on ...3 hours ago