Two Republicans took the stage at the Democratic National Convention Thursday to announce they would be voting for Democrats for the first time: Doug Elmets, formerly a speechwriter for President Reagan, and Jennifer Pierotti Lim, co-founder of Republican Women for Hillary.
“I knew Ronald Reagan. I worked for Ronald Reagan. Donald Trump: You are no Ronald Reagan,” Elmets said to cheers. He proceeded to criticize Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the Mexican border, citing Reagan’s famous “Tear down this wall” speech.
Elmets praised Clinton for her qualifications and for trying to unite the country.
“To my fellow Republicans: if you believe like I do loyalty to our country is more important than loyalty to party, if you want a president with good judgment, a steady hand, and a temperament to represent our nation to the world and our children, I ask that you join me in voting for Hillary Clinton in voting for president of the United States,” Elmets closed.
Lim began her speech talking about the years she spent campaigning for Republican politicians.
“I voted Republican for my entire life,” Lim said. “I believe in the bedrock values of the Republican Party: liberty, equality and the belief that there are individual rights that cannot be taken away… Because the Republican Party has abandoned those values this year, this Republican is voting for Hillary Clinton.”
Lim said Trump wouldn’t care about her professional accomplishments, only how physically attractive she is. She said Trump had made “loathsome” and “crass” comments about women. “They are too important to ignore.”
“There are some who will say I’m voting for Hillary Clinton because she’s a woman,” Lim said. “People who say that dismiss my voice and Hillary’s long record of public service.”
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
