While recently engaged in a brief discussion with someone regarding the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, out of genuine curiosity, I asked how they could fully endorse a candidate whose moral character was in such stark contrast to their own.
They replied with “I vote for policy.” I thought OK, maybe I can respect that. After all, by voting, we all want our voice to add some influence or weight when enacting or phasing out programs, dealing with issues like abortion, gun control, cultural and other challenges.
Days later, this discussion was still weighing on my mind.
While unpacking why, I realized that the former president’s incessant name-calling and demonstrable false comments at rallies, his marriage infidelity, brutal Truth Social attacks on judges and their families (over 60 messages on his social media platform trashing our legal system and criticizing his political enemies on Easter Sunday alone), normalizing bigotry, normalizing violence (as he recently reposted an image of Biden hogtied in the back of a pickup truck), dehumanizing immigrants (legal or not) and the rest of his ramped up rhetoric, all come from the core of his character. It’s up front and obvious. It’s all Trump “policy.”
The question I should have been asking all along was: “Is your moral character in line with the candidate you are supporting?”
Steve Maloney, Salt Lake City