Cheney Free Press -

If the gutless Congressional Republicans thwart President Trump’s impeachment, then my Democratic presidential primary vote goes to the candidate most likely to defeat him.

Jackie Robinson’s pre-election endorsement of Richard Nixon versus Jack Kennedy (1960), Robinson later called mistaken, determined my first presidential vote. That initiated my invariably policy-centered voting, recently Democratic, but defeating Trump is now my paramount goal.

Many share my emphasis. A recent poll showed 57 percent of registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents favor a nominee who can defeat Trump, even if disagreeing with the nominee on most issues; only a third would pick someone they mostly agreed with but who’d have difficulty defeating Trump (USA Today, Feb. 5, 2019).

Democratic candidates should quit squabbling and present realistic alternative policies. 

Trump cruelly separates and detains asylum-seeking families; continually lies; betrays promises to low- and middle-income families (tax cuts for the richest); slanders opponents, immigrants and refugees; calls climate change a hoax; and fosters racism, hate, and violence. He encourages Russian meddling and extorts Ukrainian assistance for political gain.

Most scary is what’s fully described in books by ex-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, “Fascism; A Warning,” and ex-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, “Facts and Fears.” While lambasting mainstream media as “fake news,” Trump incites domestic fear and anger, and destroys government institutions, leaving positions open, acting, or with his puppets; this consolidates his power, while a spineless Republican Congress acquiesces—the essence of movement towards fascist dictatorship.

Norm Luther

Spokane