A Vote for Trump WAS a Vote for Clinton

The hue and cry of many Trump supporters is “a vote for anyone but Trump is a vote for Clinton.” Why didn’t we hear more often in the primary election that “a vote FOR Trump was a vote for Clinton?” While the two parties were voting among their candidates, the RealClear Politics average of several credible polls showed Clinton would defeat Trump 48 to 41. The same poll indicated Kasich would beat Clinton 48 to 41. Even Cruz’s predicted loss to Clinton at 48 to 42 was by a less margin than Trump’s. Many Trump-train Republicans, when asked by reporters why they were voting for the candidate predicted to lose the general election, responded that they didn’t care about the general election, but just wanted Trump. Enough Republicans to clinch the delegate majority were happy just to nominate a non-establishment candidate regardless of his chances in the general election.

If the general election is so important now that many Republican voters demonize their party members for not supporting Trump, why was it not important in the primary to elect someone who had better odds of winning the presidency? In my opinion, several of the other Republican primary candidates would be leading Clinton by 15 to 20 points today. What we are seeing develop instead is a very predictable outcome of the minority of Republican voters electing Trump with a 46% popular vote–the lowest percentage in recent history. Although that was enough to get the delegates needed, 54% of Republicans voted never-Trump in the primary election.

Donald Trump was sending messages loud and clear during the primary that he had serious character flaws; an unqualified background; very little understanding of the government and political issues; and an arrogant, offensive, egocentric personality. In other words, he seemed to flaunt his unfitness for the presidency. Gaffe after gaffe showcased what his term in office would be like.  The “pivot” to presidential behavior that his supporters assured would happen, hasn’t. He is who he is and would take who he is to the White House.

Voters are now being asked to overlook Trumps negatives for the sake of the country. Maybe we would have done better to overlook some negatives of the other candidates in the primary–candidates who would be doing much better against Clinton in the general election.

I am a deeply conservative citizen who proudly claims identity with the Republican platform and vision for America. I will vote for every other Republican candidate on the local, state, and national ballot in November. I am sickened by the prospect of Hillary Clinton becoming president of this great nation. Her administration would be devastating to our freedoms and values. However, I believe the candidate my party has presented to the voters would also be a great risk to the country and the world, a constant embarrassment, reckless, and incapable of self-constraint. His words and deeds cross my line in lack of trustworthiness and repulsiveness.

We are presently being treated to exciting Olympic competitions . In the relay races, if the first competitor places the team in the lead, but the second falters and puts the team far behind, the race will likely be lost. Likewise, if the Republican party doesn’t win the White House, the blame shouldn’t be on the general election voters. The race will have been lost in the primary.

I remain never-Trump, never-Clinton.