Going From Never Trump to Leans Trump

I made a declaration on Twitter and Facebook today. I said that after CNN’s Equality Town Hall last night that I’ve gone from being “Never Trump” in 2016, to being “Leans Trump” in 2020. I made a declaration on Twitter and Facebook today that after CNN’s Equality Town Hall last night that I’ve gone from being “Never Trump” in 2016, to being “Leans Trump” in 2020.

Let me explain; this is not an endorsement of President Trump. While I can support some of his policies and judicial picks, I can not voice support for him as a leader. I do not regret not voting for him in 2016.

My opinion of President Trump has not changed much. I admit he has surprised me in some ways and confirmed what I believed about him in other ways.

So it’s not that my opinion of him changed, but circumstances that have brought me to this point.

In 2016, while I could never vote for her and believed that she was just as corrupt as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton seemed at least to be pragmatic. I could be wrong about that, but she did not worry me nearly as much as say a President Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, or Kamala Harris.

All Democrats had to do is be reasonable and not be crazy. That’s it, and I would be able to vote third party no problem.

They couldn’t do it.

Before last night we have been treated to Democratic Party presidential candidates who want to take people’s choice in health insurance away. Some want to raise taxes on the middle class (at least those who, to their credit, are honest about it). Almost all want to destroy our economy through climate change policy. They all push for taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand for any reason and at any stage of a woman’s pregnancy. One touted population control. Almost all trample on gun rights with some who say they will take away guns without an act of Congress. (This isn’t an exhaustive list of crazy.)

Last night was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Last night, we saw a candidate declare, to cheers from the audience, he would penalize churches that don’t toe the line on same-sex marriage. Nowhere during the four-and-a-half town hall did I hear any recognition that there are legitimate competing liberty interests between LGBT people and evangelicals.

No, all claims of religious liberty were named bigotry and discrimination.

Yes, some people legitimately discriminate against LGBT people out of bigotry. Some people mock, harass, bully, and even murder LGBT people. That is sin, wrong, and evil, full stop.

Unfortunately, to a person, each candidate puts Christian bakers, photographers, caterers, etc. who, due to their religious conscience, can’t provide services for a same-sex wedding or pride event. Also ignored is that many of these same people have served and do serve LGBT people in other ways.

Can we possibly have some nuance in this debate?

Can we recognize that religious organizations have the right to hire people who share and live out a shared faith? And also have the right to fire those who decide they no longer believe or no longer can live that faith out?

I’ve yet to hear an evangelical, who opposes same-sex marriage and believes homosexuality is a sin, say that an LGBT advocacy group should have to hire someone like them.

Can we recognize that parents have the right to take their children who are confused about their sexual orientation or gender to counselors who share their beliefs?

Can we also recognize that parents should have to consent to sex education in schools?

Can we agree that the government shouldn’t tell pastors and counselors they can and can’t say to people they counsel?

Can we recognize that women deserve a right to privacy and safety in their restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, and sports?

Listening last night, it doesn’t appear that we can. There was not a single reasonable person on stage, even Joe Biden, who at one time used to be.

All Democrats have to do is nominate a candidate who is remotely moderate and reasonable. Barring a minor miracle, it doesn’t look like they will do it.

So, if I vote for President Donald Trump, it’s because of the direction Democrats have decided to go.

That said, I’m not backing down from criticizing President Trump when he deserves it. If House Democrats unearth compelling evidence that demonstrates he committed an impeachable offense, I’m willing to consider it and support it.

I will not endorse President Trump because I don’t believe he deserves it. My advice to anyone reading is the same as it was in 2016 – vote your conscience.

I’m not jumping on the Trump train, but I utterly oppose the vision of the Democratic Party. And I know I’m not alone.

If President Trump wins re-election, Democrats have no one to blame but themselves.

All they had to do was not be crazy, and they couldn’t do it.