There might be a new term that’ll soon be added to the political lexicon.
Harris Republicans.
A Harris Republican is a right-leaning voter who’ll abandon Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, in favor of Democrat Kamala Harris but remain loyal to most other Republicans on the ballot.
A significant and largely silent group of conservatives dubbed by some as the “Whisper Caucus” passionately believes that Trump poses a genuine threat to the very fabric of our democracy. Their conviction runs deep, driven by a fervent desire to protect the democratic principles that define our nation.
And yes, the Harris Campaign is strategically focusing on disenfranchised Republicans, highlighting the urgent need to restore political integrity and establish strong role models for future generations. By addressing these crucial issues, the campaign aims to unite individuals who emphasize country over party, and substantive debate over conspiracy theories, scapegoatism, and grievance.
Let’s revisit the Election 1980 when Republican candidate Ronald Reagan defeated President Jimmy Carter in a landslide, thanks in part to a demographic later known as Reagan Democrats. These were left-leaning, blue-collar residents who helped propel Reagan and George H.W. Bush to presidential race wins in 1980, 84, and 88.
The term “Reagan Democrat” continues to hold a significant place in American political discourse because of Reagan’s lasting appeal to a substantial portion of voters. Reagan’s ability to connect with and inspire this diverse group left an indelible mark on the political landscape, making the concept as relevant today as it was during his presidency.
Are we witnessing something similar now, albeit for different reasons?
Harris is establishing strong connections with high-profile Republicans, who, despite not see eye to eye with her on most of the issues, recognize her as a refreshing alternative to the divisiveness, incompetence, and animosity associated with Donald Trump. The increasing support for Harris highlights her potential to bridge diverse perspectives and cultivate a more cooperative political atmosphere.
Not in the last 50 years have we witnessed a Democrat presidential nominee receive so many endorsements from Republicans in the public eye.
Before this year, can you name ANY high-profile Republicans who jumped ship and supported the Democrat presidential nominee?
Please name one below.
Even the most ardent of political aficionados would insist the level of support Harris has received from notable Republicans is unprecedented.
Who are some noteworthy Republicans supporting Harris?
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder; One of the most popular celebrities of the 20th Century; Served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
Vice President Dick Cheney – Businessman and right-wing politician who served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, and has been called the most powerful vice president in American history. A longtime conservative, Cheney previously served as White House Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, the U.S. representative for Wyoming’s at-large congressional district from 1979 to 1989, and as the 17th United States Secretary of Defense in the administration of President George H. W. Bush.
Rep. Lynn Cheney – An American attorney and conservative politician who represented Wyoming’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, and served as chair of the House Republican Conference—the third-highest position in the House Republican leadership—from 2019 to 2021.
George Will – Veteran, right-wing conservative writer and political commentator who writes columns for The Washington Post on a regular basis. In 1986, The Wall Street Journal called him “perhaps the most powerful journalist in America”. Will won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1977 and was the face of conservative politics for quite some time.
200+ former Bush, McCain, and Romney staffers – Over 200 Republicans with experience working for both Bush Presidents, the late Sen. John McCain, and Sen. Mitt Romney took a significant step by releasing an open letter in August to endorse Harris. As reported by USA Today, these former staff members emphasized their commitment to echoing the 2020 stance of George W. Bush, McCain, and Romney alumni who cautioned against re-electing Trump.
“Of course, we have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz. That’s to be expected,” they wrote. “The alternative, however, is simply untenable.”
Sen. Jeff Flake – Today, former Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, known for his conservatism, endorsed Harris at a campaign event.
Alberto Gonzales – Served as the U.S. Attorney General and counsel to President George W. Bush; made a compelling endorsement of Harris in his op-ed for Politico on September 12. In his piece, Gonzales emphasized the urgency of the situation by stating that Trump poses “perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation.”
Michael Steele – American politician, Reagan disciple, and the first African American to serve as chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC; 2009–2011).
Rep. Joe Walsh – Talk radio host, former social worker, and former 2020 Republican Party presidential candidate; Served one term in the United States House of Representatives representing Illinois’s 8th congressional district. Walsh, who has campaigned tirelessly for Harris, still considers himself a Tea Party Republican.
Rep. Susan Molinari – A Republican politician, company executive, journalist, and lobbyist from New York; Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1990 to 1997, representing Staten Island for three terms. Considered a rising star in the party, Molinari was selected to deliver the keynote address at the 1996 Republican National Convention. She served as a vice president for public policy at Google from 2012 to 2018.
The Honorable Thomas B. Griffith – United States Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (ret.): “I yearn for the day when traditional conservatives argued that character counts in our political leaders.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin- Political strategist and television personality; White House director of strategic communications and Assistant to the President in 2020 during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Additional mentions:
– Anthony Scaramucci, briefly served as Trump’s White House communications director
– Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former lieutenant governor from Georgia
– Cassidy Hutchinson, former White House aide who served as assistant to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows during the Trump administration
– Olivia Troye, former Homeland Security adviser to Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence
– Former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Virginia
– John Giles, Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona
– Former Republican Congressman Fred Upton, Michigan
– Former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman, Virginia
– Barbara Pierce Bush, George W. Bush’s oldest daughter
– Jimmy McCain, son of the late Republican Senator John McCain
And those lists don’t include the slew of high-profile Republicans who, despite not endorsing Harris, refuse to endorse Trump. They include, but aren’t limited to, former U.S. President George W. Bush, Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Mitt Romney, and John Bolton, the 25th United States Ambassador to the United Nations and Trump’s United States National Security Advisor from 2018 to 2019.
We’re also seeing more impromptu interviews with voters on the street who insist they are Harris-supporting Republicans. If this sentiment is resonating with a chunk of right-leaning voters, it could very well secure victory for Vice President Kamala Harris in the election and alter the political landscape.
