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Writer's pictureThe Elephant

When Convictions Are as Real as a $3 Bill: The Political Endorsement Circus of 2024


In the ever-surreal landscape of American politics, where truth is often stranger than fiction, we’ve arrived at a milestone that could only be described as political performance art: over 200 Republicans—yes, you read that right—are endorsing Kamala Harris for president. That’s right, Kamala Harris, the candidate who represents everything they once pretended to oppose. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, fresh-faced interns fresh out of political science class either; this endorsement comes from veterans of the Bush, McCain, and Romney camps—political royalty, if you will, within the Republican establishment.


Let’s pause for a moment and appreciate the absurdity. These folks, who once rallied under the banner of “limited government” and “individual freedom,” have now pivoted to endorse the champion of big government expansion. It’s akin to a group of vegans suddenly endorsing a Texas BBQ joint—makes about as much sense.


RINOs in the Wild


The RINO (Republicans in Name Only) safari is now officially in full swing. George W. Bush’s team, long disillusioned by the rise of Trump, joins the likes of Mitt Romney and John McCain’s loyalists. And let’s not forget the colorful Kinzinger family float in this political parade. Adam Kinzinger, a man who once claimed the conservative flag, now stands tall in his virtual corner of the internet (X, formerly known as Twitter), exclaiming, "There is nothing 'conservative' about Donald Trump."


Well, sure Adam, let’s pretend that Trump’s judicial appointments, tax cuts, and deregulation spree never happened. And what’s your solution? To endorse Kamala Harris, whose political philosophy is about as conservative as a Che Guevara t-shirt at a college dorm party.


This isn’t about values; it’s about optics. Political endorsements like these are the political equivalent of a used car salesman trying to convince you that the lemon you’re about to buy is actually a finely-tuned machine of integrity.


The Great Political Switcheroo


For the Bush-Cheney-Romney crowd, the 2024 election isn’t about conservatism. It’s about ensuring their political legacy remains untarnished by an outsider like Trump, who, for better or worse, exposed the swamp for what it is. You can almost hear them now, nervously chuckling at the thought of a second Trump term: "What if he uncovers the skeletons we’ve been so carefully hiding?"


Ah, yes, George W. Bush, the man who sold us the Iraq War and now has the audacity to claim some moral high ground. Perhaps his dislike for Trump isn’t based on policy at all. Maybe it’s more personal—after all, there’s always been the quiet speculation of the infamous Epstein connection, but we’ll leave that for another day. The point is, when establishment Republicans line up to endorse Harris, one has to wonder whether this is about “saving democracy” or simply saving face.


And then there’s Dick Cheney, the Darth Vader of the GOP, endorsing Kamala Harris, no less. The same Dick Cheney whose political offspring, Liz, was last seen defending her lies on the January 6th Commission. One has to wonder if Daddy Dick’s endorsement is less about Kamala’s glowing virtues and more about protecting Liz from a potential Trump presidency—after all, accountability is a bitter pill to swallow when you’re caught with your hand in the cookie jar of political misdeeds.


Tulsi and RFK Jr.: Outliers of Principle?


On the other side of the aisle, we see figures like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. breaking rank with the Democrats, lending their support to Trump. Unlike the Bush-Cheney crowd, who seem motivated by self-preservation, these two seem to have made their decisions out of actual conviction. Tulsi Gabbard, no stranger to criticizing the establishment on both sides, and RFK Jr., a man who has openly questioned the very institutions his own party props up, seem to be guided by principle rather than political survival.


It’s a rare sight these days—politicians making decisions based on deeply held beliefs rather than the shifting winds of public opinion and self-interest.

Another example is The National Fraternal Order of Police which has thrown its weight behind Donald Trump, standing firm against Kamala Harris and the Democrats' persistent attacks on law enforcement. Their endorsement is more than just a political statement—it’s a fight for honesty, justice, and the protection of those who serve our communities in uniform, a clear stand against the Democrats' alarming push to defund and undermine the police.


The Politics of Self-Preservation


So what are we really witnessing here? A mass defection? A revolt of conscience? Hardly. This is about power and survival. The Bushes, Romneys, and Cheneys of the world see Trump as a threat—not just to their vision of the Republican Party, but to their place in history. They’ve traded their conservative principles for political expedience, hoping that aligning with Kamala Harris might earn them a seat at the table in the post-Trump era.


But let’s be honest: Harris’s candidacy offers nothing for conservatives. Nothing. It’s as if endorsing her is the ultimate act of surrender—handing over the reins to a political ideology that views conservatism as little more than a relic of a bygone era.


In contrast, when Democrats like Gabbard and RFK Jr. break away from the orthodoxy, it feels more like a stand for what they believe in rather than just preserving their political futures. They see the direction their party is heading—toward a never-ending expansion of government control—and they want no part of it. The GOP defectors, meanwhile, have simply decided that Trump, with all his flaws, is a greater threat to their personal fiefdoms than Kamala Harris ever could be.


Conclusion: Endorsements Are Cheap


At the end of the day, political endorsements are as fleeting as campaign promises. They aren’t rooted in conviction or even a deep belief in the candidate; they’re just calculated moves on the political chessboard. When Adam Kinzinger, George W. Bush, and Dick Cheney stand up and claim that Kamala Harris is the savior of the republic, don’t take it at face value. Remember that for them, this is about keeping the status quo intact—nothing more, nothing less.


And when Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. cross the aisle to endorse Trump, pay attention. Not because they’re infallible, but because they’re rare. In a political world where so much is transactional, true conviction stands out like a sore thumb.


As for the rest? Well, let’s just say it’s business as usual in the swamp.



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