It’s not that simple: The ever-changing significance of political affiliations in a post-Trump America
SOPHIE TAFAZZOLI: My friend and I recently had our first fight. I explained I was thinking of writing about the many changes within the Republican Party as a direct result of President Donald Trump’s entrance into the political sphere. I also mentioned I wholeheartedly believe you cannot be so quick to assume one's morals or character solely based on political affiliation, as many seem to do in our current political climate. His response surprised me, transforming the entire objective of my piece.
“Maybe he's not what the Republican elite want the party to be, but he's what the voters have determined the party to be,” my friend began. We obviously had other options in the 2016 primaries, indicating Trump does represent the majority of citizens making up the current Republican Party. The part that deeply bothered me— 70 million people, the vast majority registered Republicans, were able to justify their votes for Trump. Consequently, a person who identifies as a Republican or Conservative but voted for Biden in the recent election no longer supports or represents the Republican Party.
Quite frankly, who has the right to dictate whether a person is truly a Democrat or a Republican? And further, in an age of both moderates and extremists, what remains the true cultural significance of party affiliations these days? My affiliation aside, I found this to be incredibly inaccurate, simplistic and offensive, causing me to question Georgetown Republicans on the argument’s validity.
“Reagan Republicanism was very effective in the 1980s and 90s, and many of those ideas have endured for good reason. However, the country needs an updated approach, keeping good ideas while adding new ones, for 2020 and beyond. For years, Republican politicians often seemed out-of-step with their own voters, particularly on issues like trade and foreign policy. That's a big part of why Trump's movement has resonated so much,” said Henry Dai (SFS '22), former president of the Georgetown University College Republicans.
Sam Kehoe (COL’23), member of the Georgetown Bipartisan Coalition, also reflected on Trump’s impact and newfound dimension to the Republican Party. “I recognize the valuable contributions to policy that he has brought: a more measured view of free trade agreements, an honest and effective method of negotiating with international partners in the Middle East, and generally positive management of domestic economic policy. He also, in my view, correctly identified intellectual property violations being perpetrated by the Chinese state, which were negatively impacting American companies.”
“I generally consider myself a pre-Trump Republican in the sense that Trump did not make me a Republican. There is quite a bit about Trump that I strongly dislike. I particularly dislike his bombastic and at times exclusionary rhetoric and object to his handling of the post-election situation,” Kehoe continued.
I attempted to stick up for, dare I say like, Trump for years. I love an underdog, and much like Dai, I appreciated his ability to go outside of the political norms, stating exactly what he wanted both verbally and through social media in a refreshingly unrehearsed and hilariously comedic manner. I would mention his tax cuts and economic achievements, his contributions to criminal justice reform, the creation of the Space Force, his order of the operation that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, his tariff threats that forced Mexico to crack down on illegal immigration, the historic Israel-UAE Peace Deal, the three bills to support tribal sovereignty, including compensation to the Spokane tribe for the loss of their lands in the mid-1900s…
For me, however, I hit a point in which I had no energy left to defend this man. As a proud American, I began to feel utterly discouraged and humiliated. I was under the impression the Republican Party stands for family values, strongly opposes Communism and strictly upholds the Constitution and its presidential system.
Our global image has greatly diminished under Trump, who repeatedly insulted allies and cozied up to dictators. Not to mention his divisive nature, wildly outlandish remarks, several marriages and cheating scandals, disrespect of American veterans and hero Senator John McCain before and after his death and absurd handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. My final straw— not being able to immediately and clearly denounce white supremacy or accept impending election results.
According to The Washington Post, The Republican National Convention’s Declaration of Principles “explicitly condemn[s] racism, including white supremacy,” and reject “all forms of authoritarianism and fascism here and abroad.” It strongly affirms voting rights. It offers the vision of an “inclusive United States defined by its ideals” and welcomes “all members of the human family regardless of differences.”
“There are always many factors to weigh in on when deciding your vote, and people in the same party will often have different priorities,” Dai said.
“I think it’s the duty of every American to determine their own set of values. In my opinion, saying that voting Biden for non-policy/principle based reasons makes one not a conservative is a bit like saying a Warren or Sanders supporter who voted for Biden in the primary for electability reasons isn’t truly progressive,” Kehoe added.
“Al Gore’s Democratic Party looked a lot different than Hillary Clinton’s, which looked a lot different than Biden’s. Similarly, Trump changed the GOP over the course of about one year. I think it’s shortsighted to think that this is the last time we are going to see a significant and rapid change in American political parties.”
Political Parties can be a great source of shared belief systems and community. Most importantly, they enable electors to make decisions from a few groups, rather than countless individuals. That being said, I believe it would be foolish to only vote for a candidate because of the red or blue clothing worn in debates and a political party listed next to their name. I will continue to view each politician individually when making an opinion or casting my vote, and I hope others will join me.
Nearly 600 prominent Republicans endorsed President Joe Biden in the 2020 election cycle. If I happen to be wrong, I would greatly appreciate it if somebody else could please inform Mitt Romney, along with the McCain and Bush families that they are no longer considered members of the Republican Party. Thank you in advance!
In the weeks since, Trump allowed for the violent siege and occupation of the Capitol Building. I instead choose to refer to it as the encouragement of a coup. At the attack, insurrectionists threw chemicals on the same police officers whose lives they claimed to “matter.”
I never in my lifetime could have imagined circumstances in which Americans would yearn to cause such grave harm to their own representatives and fellow citizens, let alone being instructed by their Commander in Chief to do so. This is no longer a matter of Democrats versus Republicans, but disgustingly un-American all around. Our democracy works— learn to follow the system and believe in it.
I am not pleased in the slightest with the House of Representatives, Senate, and president all being under the same political party, but in no way can I be surprised or upset by this occurrence. I am, however, upset with the representatives who conformed to Trump because it was easier than maintaining the party’s core stances. The Republican Party clearly has some reforming to do in the coming years.
Mr. President, there are no words in the English language to perfectly depict your selfishness, insecure nature, and outright inability to accept loss for perhaps the first time in your entire life. Congratulations, you have officially thrown the largest toddler tantrum in our nation’s history. This is your legacy. You refused to adhere to a peaceful transition of power or the will of the people time and time again, going as far as to cowardly escape to my home state of Florida prior to Jan. 20.
Vice President Mike Pence was able to recognize what you undoubtedly never will, while President Joe Biden possesses more authenticity and honor in a single finger than you do in your entire body. I cried tears of pure joy and relief on Inauguration Day. That act does not automatically categorize me as a Democrat or a Republican, but rather as an American whose sense of pride and optimism has been fully restored.
You had the chance to accomplish something absolutely extraordinary. Shame on you.
Sophie Tafazzoli is a sophomore in the College studying government and journalism. She heavily encourages bipartisanship, as well as aims to break down political stereotypes on both sides.