I grew up woth Reagan and Bush 41. Then we had Bubba Clinton.

Fundamentally, I always leaned GOP because they seemed to be serious and fair-minded, and more supportive of the Military and Intelligence Communities. 1/

I felt like GWB and Obama were both disappointing presidents in minor ways, but decent men who did their best. Their opponents, Gore, Kerry, McCain, Romney... all decent men, but I wad a GWB, McCain, and Romney guy. 2/

In 2008, McCain reflected the GOP that I believed in. Picking Sarah Palin as a running mate really disappointed me. When Obama won, although I was a McCain guy, it did make me proud of my country to have a Black President finally. 3/

In 2012, I was a Romney guy because I felt like Obama was weak on NatSec, but really didn’t hate Obama with the intensity that many in the GOP felt. I was honestly worried about how I saw the dialogue had changed so much. All of the sudden, Republicans hated immigrants? 4/

I should have seen Trump coming, but I didn’t. I voted for Rubio in the primary and I was shocked how Trump destroyed everyone of the GOP candidates that were all better than him. 5/

I voted third party in 2016 because I couldn’t stand Hillary or Trump. I have realized that is not an option this year. I must vote Democrat and hope the GOP gets demolished as long as the nativism, bigotry, and isolationism of Trump remains in power. 6/

I write all this because a lot of Democrats have rejected GOP exiles like myself. Here’s the thing, if the GOP never progresses to being more inclusive, moderate, diverse, etc. I will in effect be a Democrat until then. 7/

So... maybe, just maybe, Democrats don’t need to say stuff like “Republicans have always been racists and evil!!!” And perhaps instead give us some space in your big tent. I think there may be more of us than you think. Just a thought. END