Many Republicans have a tough choice. They can stick with Donald Trump, and by default countenance a steady stream of misogyny and crudeness, or they can support, or at least not actively oppose, Hillary Clinton, someone they think unfit to be president.
It is not as simple as it might seem. There is a lot to be said for party loyalty. After all, what is the point to a two-party system if the parties offer no political or ideological cohesion and their adherents feel no responsibility to close ranks? But what is the point to any of this if the price of admission is the abnegation of self-respect?
Southwest Colorado is represented at the state level by three Republicans, Sen. Ellen Roberts, Rep. J. Paul Brown and Rep. Don Coram, whose district includes Cortez.
While neither said he was their first choice, Brown and Coram are sticking with Trump. Roberts was straightforward, saying, “I’m not a Trump supporter.”
Brown and Roberts are, of course, well known to the Herald. Coram is less so, but familiar. Over the years the Herald has agreed and disagreed with all three and they have at times taken issue with the Herald.
But at no time have any of them ever behaved in an undignified or coarse manner. The Herald’s relations with Coram have always been cordial. Brown, with whom the Herald rarely sees eye-to-eye on public policy, is always polite and friendly. Most particularly, given Trump’s appalling misogyny, Sen. Roberts is a lady – and unfailingly behaves as such.
Anyone unfamiliar with Trump’s offenses can Google “Trump Megyn Kelly.” And for a refresher on his overall sense of respect for the voters, see Dana Milbank’s largely bleeped, but nonetheless R-rated, column in The Washington Post (May 8).
Republicans can choose, and those who stand with Trump can make their case. But many cannot. Columnist George Will and Republican stalwart Sen. Lindsey Graham are just two of the conservatives who cannot abide Trump.
Coram and Brown, notwithstanding, Ellen Roberts is right. No woman deserves Donald Trump. And neither does our democracy.
