Why I Will Not Cast My Electoral Vote for Donald Trump
Source: The New York Times
Dallas I am a Republican presidential elector, one of the 538 people asked to choose officially the president of the United States. Since the election people have asked me to change my vote based on policy disagreements with Donald J. Trump. In some cases, they cite the popular vote difference. I do not think president-elects should be disqualified for policy disagreements. I do not think they should be disqualified because they won the Electoral College instead of the popular vote. However, now I am asked to cast a vote on Dec. 19 for someone who shows daily he is not qualified for the office.
...snip...
The United States was set up as a republic. Alexander Hamilton provided a blueprint for states votes. Federalist 68 argued that an Electoral College should determine if candidates are qualified, not engaged in demagogy, and independent from foreign influence. Mr. Trump shows us again and again that he does not meet these standards. Given his own public statements, it isnt clear how the Electoral College can ignore these issues, and so it should reject him.
I have poured countless hours into serving the party of Lincoln and electing its candidates. I will pour many more into being more faithful to my party than some in its leadership. But I owe no debt to a party. I owe a debt to my children to leave them a nation they can trust.
...snip...
The election of the next president is not yet a done deal. Electors of conscience can still do the right thing for the good of the country. Presidential electors have the legal right and a constitutional duty to vote their conscience. I believe electors should unify behind a Republican alternative, an honorable and qualified man or woman such as Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. I pray my fellow electors will do their job and join with me in discovering who that person should be.
Fifteen years ago, I swore an oath to defend my country and Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. On Dec. 19, I will do it again.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/opinion/why-i-will-not-cast-my-electoral-vote-for-donald-trump.html?_r=0
Christopher Suprun lives in Texas and works as a paramedic.
msongs
(67,478 posts)Nancyswidower
(182 posts)Skittles
(153,261 posts)paleotn
(17,997 posts)...as awful as Raygun and Dubya were, they pale in comparison to chettorino.
trueblue2007
(17,243 posts)duffyduff
(3,251 posts)These Republicans are so blinded by partisanship they can't even do the right thing.
They are chickenshits.
Fuck them.
bdamomma
(63,955 posts)Anything can happen in two weeks December 19th is the date for the electoral college.
mpcamb
(2,879 posts)or a vote for Kasich?
We need a little more NYT story.
Nancyswidower
(182 posts)His comment..."Presidential electors have the legal right and a constitutional duty to vote their conscience."..isn't accurate....though he does go on to say he's a Kasich guy Kasich isn't going to be POTUS.
mpcamb
(2,879 posts)" George W. Bush is an imperfect man, but he led us through the tragic days following the attacks. His leadership showed that America was a great nation. That was also the ."
If that's the best he can do for the "last time I remember the nation united", I can't find a lot of sympathy for his vision of America.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)avert the Trumpocalypse, I'll take help from any direction.
.99center
(1,237 posts)"The United States was set up as a republic. Alexander Hamilton provided a blueprint for states votes. Federalist 68 argued that an Electoral College should determine if candidates are qualified, not engaged in demagogy, and independent from foreign influence. Mr. Trump shows us again and again that he does not meet these standards. Given his own public statements, it isnt clear how the Electoral College can ignore these issues, and so it should reject him."
Trump clearly doesn't meet those three standards and Christopher's conscience wont allow him to ignore his duties to elect an unqualified demagogue who has foreign ties.
RAFisher
(466 posts)Nothing in the constitution says the vote must reflect the state's election.
bdamomma
(63,955 posts)that's interesting I thought the electors had to vote how their state voted if they disagree they would pay $1000 fee.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)They're all millionaires.
Zing Zing Zingbah
(6,496 posts)to vote against Trump. That would be money well spent.
Mike Nelson
(9,980 posts)..."I swore an oath to defend my country and Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
babylonsister
(171,106 posts)Can electors vote for whomever they want?
Nancyswidower
(182 posts)bigmonkey
(1,798 posts)The constitution gives them the right to vote their conscience.
The fine is trivial as well.
RAFisher
(466 posts)Nancyswidower
(182 posts)Won't be by SCOTUS....
texasmomof3
(108 posts)meaning they have to vote the way the state went. 21 states electors have the ability to change their vote. Texas is one of these.
red dog 1
(27,903 posts)So what happens if 37 more electors pledged to ASSHOLE refuse to vote for him?
Raster
(20,998 posts)...it goes to the House of Reps to choose the POTUS. It goes to the Senate to choose the VPOTUS.
ooky
(8,933 posts)roamer65
(36,748 posts)36 more Republican elector defections puts it into the House.
ooky
(8,933 posts)If I was an elector I wouldn't be advertising it - since I also want to go on living. I'd just do the job Hamilton would want me to do.
Wonder how many have had this thought cross their mind? Could we be in for a big surprise?
Nancyswidower
(182 posts)Serious question...what do you think the House does?
roamer65
(36,748 posts)If it's Mitt Romney, I think his old running mate buddy Paul Ryan ditches Dump and whips the Reps into line to back him.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)roamer65
(36,748 posts)I'll pony up good for this one.
I'll help give back to this country that has given me so much in my life.
bdamomma
(63,955 posts)this should be plastered everywhere the Congress should take heed of this instead of their lust of greed.
Fifteen years ago, I swore an oath to defend my country and Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. On Dec. 19, I will do it again.
duffyduff
(3,251 posts)I frankly don't give a shit about the Electoral College.
These Republicans are partisan chickenshits.
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)It will be on them. FOREVER. They will have to live with it. When lives are ruined, it will be on them. I hope they think about that and vote for the preservation of humanity.