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The Screaming Moderate

My waning days as a Republican

2/23/2016

15 Comments

 
I sent in my absentee ballot for next week’s Massachusetts primary yesterday. I waited until after the South Carolina primary because my first choice was Jeb Bush but I wanted to be sure he’d still be on the ballot for Massachusetts. Well, he is on the ballot but no longer in the race.

So, I cast my ballot for John Kasich – not that I think he has a snowball’s chance of being the nominee but because, simply, he is the best remaining candidate who I confidently believe can sit in the Oval Office and do his best for the country, while worrying about not just some of the citizenry, but all of it. And he would represent us all well when dealing with leaders of other countries. He is a leader i could be proud of.

It may be my last GOP absentee ballot. Not that anyone in the party will care if I leave the GOP. The party has done a lot of things I disagree with over the more than three decade I’ve been a registered Republican. But if Donald Trump leads the ticket this year that will be my final straw. Honestly, it’s been hard enough defending my party affiliation as Republicans continued their rightward march and the party has become increasingly perceived as the party of no, not the party of Lincoln. Trump has won both primaries he’s competed in, placed second in the Iowa caucuses and is looking like a winner today in Nevada. If he is who the Republican voters want, so be it.

The GOP national chairman says, as I believe he has to, that if Trump is the nominee chosen by the party’s voters, he, the chairman, will support him. He may have to say that now but I would hope he would resign if Trump secures the nomination. If I were the chairman and Trump became the nominee I would resign my post. That’s why if Trump becomes the candidate, I have to resign from the party. No one else will care that I’m no longer on the party rolls, but I will. I cannot be a member of a part that has Donald Trump as its standard bearer.

I’m proud of the fact that I worked for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. They were good men who every day tried to do their best for the right reasons. I didn’t always agree with them but I knew they had the best of intentions and a true love of the country, and a respect for the office they held.

Donald Trump does not meet those criteria. Far from it.  And I can’t remain in a party that he leads.


15 Comments
Tim Croasdaile
2/23/2016 10:20:50 am

So sorry for you, B Jay. Thanks for writing this blog; it helps me keep things in balance. And I approach being a moderate from the other side of the aisle. Best, Tim.

Reply
Shawn Walters
2/23/2016 12:59:57 pm

I couldn't agree with you more. As much as I'm not a fan of Hillary, if the other choice is Trump...then I'll have to vote Dem for the first time in my life. So discouraging. I can only hope and pray that eventually sanity and moderation will return to our country.

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Bill R Phillips
2/23/2016 10:51:59 am

I am glad to know I am not alone. I did not vote in early voting for same reason. Now I face voting next Tuesday knowing there is real possibility it is my last GOP primary vote. I treasure my service under Presidents Reagan and Bush (41).

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B. Jay
2/23/2016 01:48:39 pm

It's quite sad, Bill, that if Trump pulls this off, his name even goes on a list with our former bosses.

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Josie Martin
2/23/2016 11:58:17 am

I agree with you 100%. It is tragic. I don't recognize the GOP of my New England youth. And I don't want any part of these lunatics.

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B. Jay
2/23/2016 01:49:33 pm

Long way from those we flew on those trade missions, Josie.

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Peggy Suntum ( hi, BJay)
2/23/2016 01:29:22 pm

For what it's worth, Trump seems to have peaked in 30 percent range. That means 65-70 percent do not support him. I think the majority of Republicans are like you, ashamed and disgusted with Trump. But all who will leave the party if Trump is the GOP candidate must make that known to party leaders who have created this mess.

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B. Jay
2/23/2016 01:52:06 pm

True, Peg, but the leaders can't do much about Trump at this stage. The 'voters' are speaking. The stars seem to have aligned for Trump. You, who've served I don't even know how' many presidents, have a unique perspective.

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Mary Ann Martins
2/23/2016 02:44:46 pm

B Jay. Take heart. The Republican Party will be saved by men and women of conscience and strong values who--one by one--take a stand against the bully.

And as a feminist , if the result is our first woman President, I will celebrate as we did in 2008

Reply
Bill Russell
2/23/2016 03:25:36 pm

If Trump is the nominee, the can kiss my vote goodbye. I also am proud that I served in the Reagan Administration and served both Reagan and Bush in their separate transitions and VP Bush in his pre-transition planning group. I will not be a party too what is going on.

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Richard Robinson
2/23/2016 03:29:45 pm

BJ I am so disappointed with the current GOP numbers that I may vote for Hillary. Your points are well taken.

Richard

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Kathleene Card
2/23/2016 04:36:34 pm

I agree and I supported Jeb, and now would be with Kaisich.

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Maria White
2/24/2016 10:05:20 am

I couldn't agree with you more. I worked for Reagan as well and have watched as my party moves down a path to build a wall. Reagan tore down walls. I've been saying I need to start my own party. The time may have come.

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Anne Walker
2/24/2016 10:58:21 am

As always you are right on target. But let's keep hoping that the voters will see the light and dump trump. You gotta believe. 🙏

Reply
Tita Freeman
2/24/2016 06:36:31 pm

Well said, BJ. Bravo.

Reply



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    B. Jay Cooper

    B. Jay is a former deputy White House press secretary to Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also headed the communications offices at the Republican National Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Yale University. He is a former reporter and is the retired deputy managing director of APCO Worldwide's Washington, D.C., office.
    He is the father of three daughters and grandfather of five boys and one girl. He lives in Marion, Mass.

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