Day: August 29, 2024

Who Are The Republicans Against Trump?

By Bob Small

It’s a warning bell when any organization insists on changing its name. First started in May 2020 as the Defending Democracy Together as Republican Accountability In January 2021 they became Republican Accountability Project (RAP). However, their next iteration was Republican Voters Against Trump (RVAT) which is their fourth (and final?) title.

The founders of RVAT  are Bill Kristol of the George H. W. Bush and Ronald Reagan administrations, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller who was communications director for the Jeb Bush 2016 campaign, They also worked to defeat Trumpian candidates, succeeding with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Herschel Walker. A third targeted candidate was J. D. Vance.

“Show me the money” is a well-remembered phrase. In the case of RVAT it’s billionaires Reid Hoffman, Seth Klarman, and John Pritzker.

Hoffman is the co-founder of LinkedIn and a democratic donor. Klarman runs the Baupost Hedge Fund (Boston) and has donated to both parties. Pritzker, of the Hyatt Hotel family, and the cousin of J. B. Pritzker  the Democrat governor of Illinois who ran Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign.

One keeps hearing that all the millionaires favor Trump but some didn’t get the memo.

“Donald Trump proved during his time in office and since why he is unfit to be President of the United States. This is from the official website of Republican Voters Against Trump. They are currently blitzing Pennsylvania, using electronic media, along with highway signs, etc.

The Guardian noted that, in 2024, RVAT released one hundred videos recorded by anti-Trump Republicans Vote against Trump, former supporters urge in $50m video.

More recently, Mike Pence came out strongly against what he claims is Trump’s backdown on abortion.

See also Mike Pence stars in new anti-Trump GOP ad campaign where Nikki Haley and Mitt Romney, etc. are also notable non-endorsers.

Since they are not being sent to the Democratic dark side then, where?. According to The 2024 Presidential Candidates, only the Libertarian Party has ballot access in 30-plus states and they are not a natural fit. The Constitution Party, whom we could see Mike Pence voting for, probably will only have about 10 states. So the mystery remains.