The conservative case against Trump

‘In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.” Bernie Sanders didn’t say it. Barack Obama didn’t say it. Joe Biden didn’t say it. That quote does not come from one of those talking heads on prejudiced TV. And I didn’t make it up.

The damning quote comes from a conservative Republican who was, among other things, the vice president of the United States. It comes from the lips, heart, and mind of Dick Cheney, who served 10 years in the House of Representatives, a conservative without question, and, I am certain, never a threat to the Republic. He served as secretary of defense under President George H.W. Bush. But, for all of that, he still has the integrity to put country above party and ego.

He is not alone among Republicans who find Trump beyond reprehensible, unfit to be president, and a clear and present danger to our democracy. Mike Pence, who served as vice president under Trump, and thus watched him up close and almost every day, has announced that he will not support Trump, who he called Pence a “coward.”

And Pence is not the only Republican who worked closely with Trump who has spoken out in fear of his being elected again. People who worked closely with Trump and know him well are echoes of Pence: a secretary of state, the attorney general, the military chief of staff. They all care about our country beyond all else. They are patriots. Many of us differ with them on issues, but not concern for our country.

I wish that Gov. Kim Reynolds, who remains behind Trump within kissing distance, would join responsible Republicans. Sen. Chuck Grassley has not endorsed, but he also has not said he won’t support Trump. U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson is backing Trump.

Mainstream, if not all, reasonable Republicans, should consider Trump a fate worse than death. Reynolds ought to talk to Mike Pence and Dick Cheney, leaders she once cheered.

What will the Iowa delegation do at the national convention? Remain silent and in awe of Trump, cheering their nominee as if he were a reasonable candidate? Will they follow him over the political cliff? I am sort of an expert on destructive conventions and I think the Republican convention could be one. In 1968, I attended my fourth Democratic convention when the Vietnam War divided my party. Many delegates yearned for Bobby Kennedy. Others were intensely devoted to Gene McCarthy. The convention was a cesspool of anger. Cops beat anti-war protesters. Hubert Humphrey, my candidate, came out of the convention 18 points behind Richard Nixon. The convention, watched by millions, was immensely responsible for the gap.

Today, any reasonable (dare I say decent) Republican should say no to Donald Trump. He puts virtually every Republican candidate in jeopardy, including those here in Iowa. As a partisan, I would love it. As a patriot, as Dick Cheney would see me, I am willing to lose a little to gain a lot.

Norman Sherman of Coralville has worked extensively in politics, including as Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s press secretary.