While many Republicans are celebrating victory today; there are others on both sides of the political aisle who are dumbfounded.
- “How can a convicted felon win the presidency and the popular vote?
- “How can people support him after he said __________?”
- “Are there really that many people out there that agree with his divisive and offensive commentary?”
- “Is there any hope for the Republican Party? The country?”
As a millennial woman who is a registered Republican in the swing state of Pennsylvania, I find myself amid the audience that everyone is trying to understand. And so, here it is – a petite patriot’s perspective on Republican voters.
Republican Voters: Why Trump?
While there are undoubtedly individuals here in the Pennsylvania “T” (Pennsylvania minus Pittsburgh and Philadelphia) who support the “F*ck around and find out” mentally and deny the results of elections, in my experience, they aren’t the majority. Obviously, neither are the Republicans who support Vice President Harris. So – who are the majority of Republican voters? My goal here is not to stereotype but to provide genuine insight. In my experience, the majority of Republican voters fall into one or more of the following categories.
Policy Over Personality
- “You don’t need to love Trump to vote for him.”
- “We’ll never agree with 100% of something a candidate says or does.”
- “He’s an imperfect messenger.”
Many will tell you they disagree with the President-elect’s rhetoric, but they will vote “policy over personality.” Even still, Republicans in this group do not feel the same way. For some, it is a true endorsement of one or more policies within the current Republican platform (which has notably changed in the Trump years). Policies like Trump tariffs, strict immigration laws, abortion, sex assigned at birth, school choice, etc. For others, see the next “Opposition to Democratic Party Policies” category.
On a personal note, I have considered this viewpoint, as it is one I’ve been confronted with most often from those I love who have cast a ballot (or few) for Trump. While I understand the overall sentiment here – I think there’s an important distinction to be made between personality and character. Personality is how a person thinks, acts, and feels – words like extroverted, ambitious, arrogant, etc. Character goes deeper and includes a person’s moral and ethical qualities – integrity. I agree that we may not agree on personality traits, but when morals and ethics come into the picture, I think there is a bigger issue at stake.
Opposition to Democratic Party Policies
- “Their policies will destroy our country.”
- “Not her.”
For others, a vote in the 2024 election was a rejection of the Vice President’s Democratic platform. These Republicans may not align perfectly with the Trump platform, but they are so opposed to the Democratic Party platform that they cast a vote for it anyway. A platform that they know includes a command economy, a more lenient immigration policy, abortion rights, and gender fluidity. They fear what the Democratic Party policies would do to the country.
Rejection of Inflation
- “I can’t afford groceries.”
- “Something has to change.”
Similarly, many people – Republican, Independent and Democrat – are weary of high costs, regardless of the cause. The incumbent is the Democratic Party; therefore, a vote against the high prices becomes a vote against the current administration. Vice President Harris may not be the sitting President, but she has a prominent part in the current administration, and so despite not being the decision-maker, she could not escape incumbent status for many Republican voters.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of whether Republicans support or reject the rhetoric, it’s here – and in January, it will have a home in the highest office in America.
I can’t speak for those who came before us, but I do know that division isn’t new to America. While the rhetoric may be a new low, the division is not. Sharon McMahon, “America’s Government Teacher,” who has become a source of inspiration for many, reminded me of Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration speech on a day when his would-be assassin was in the audience. Lincoln knew there was political unrest and chose to move forward with a goal of unity. Many who came after him did the same. Take a look at my favorite part of George W. Bush’s Inauguration Speech in 2000 after a tight race that required a recount and resulted in an electoral college win, but a popular vote loss:
“It is the American story…an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born. …And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.”
Will we see that olive branch extended on Inauguration Day of 2024? I’m skeptical – and I hope I’m wrong. But even if the President-elect doesn’t genuinely call for unity, we can choose to exemplify the words of Abraham Lincoln and George W. Bush in how we handle a political win or loss. And we can start that at home with our kids and in our communities right now with what we’re saying and posting about the results – and the people who voted for the opposing candidate.
One More Thing
My worldview is biblical – to those who share my worldview on either side of the political aisle, I want to take this a step further. Here is a biblical fact that has impacted me this election season. Jesus chose 12 disciples, among them:
- Matthew, a tax collector and employee of the Roman government.
- Simon “the Canaanite/Canaanean/Zealot” – political term to describe those who believed in a violent overthrow of the government.
Jesus chose followers from both sides of the political aisle. He didn’t ignore politics. He chose to invite both to follow him – and both did. A few years later, on Palm Sunday, the crowds welcomed him with palm branches, anticipating an overthrow of the government. One week later, a handful stood at the cross. The rest had gone home, disappointed with their political loss. Little did they know, God’s story is much bigger than the government. It still is.
-The Petite Patriot
