For the past five months, I’ve watched, read and waited for Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, to convince me to support him in the November election.
Instead, I’ve reaffirmed my belief that I cannot cast my ballot for a man who epitomizes the left’s caricature of Republicans as hardhearted, greedy, women-hating billionaires.
The tapes released since Oct. 7 only proved what most of us have known all along, that Trump sees women as objects, toy things for his pleasure. At age 59, he bragged in lewd terms about forcing himself on women sexually. But, his supporters say, that was 10 years ago.
Yes, but that doesn’t excuse it. In the fall of 2015, he insulted Carly Fiorina, criticizing her face. When debate moderator Megyn Kelly asked a legitimate question about comments he’s made about women, Trump tweeted about her menstrual cycle. Is that the kind of man we want in the Oval Office?
Trump’s objectification of females epitomizes the most abhorrent behavior faced by women in workplaces, on campuses and walking down streets. It’s disgusting. It’s pathetic. And it’s likely to grow worse with him in the White House.
But Republicans say Hillary Clinton is worse.
I agree she’s as bad as Trump. As secretary of state, she deliberately hid emails on a private server, jeopardizing the nation’s security and perhaps the lives of men and women serving overseas. She probably should have faced criminal charges, but she didn’t — perhaps because of political corruption in the FBI.
With the election of either Trump or Clinton, we’ll likely see scandal in the White House.
Max Lucado, a prolific Christian author, seldom comments on politics, but he broke his silence to condemn Trump’s behavior because he brandishes the Bible and calls himself a Christian while in the next breath calling a woman a bimbo.
Trump has said he’s never asked God for forgiveness, which Lucado likened to a swimmer never getting wet and a musician never singing a song.
“How does a person claim to be a Christian and never need to ask for forgiveness?” Lucado asked. Good question. I ask God to forgive me all the time.
I know we’re not electing a pastor-in-chief, but rather a commander-in-chief. There again, the thought of an emotionally volatile thin-skinned politician with his finger on the nuclear button scares me to death.
Character matters. Marketing gurus say people need to know, like and trust someone before they do business with them. I don’t like what I know about either candidate and I don’t trust either one.
So what’s a conservative woman to do? Cast a ballot for a third-party candidate? Or follow our 3rd District Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler by writing in Speaker of the House Paul Ryan?
I’ve heard some Trump supporters say they’ll refuse to vote for Beutler because she doesn’t support Trump. That doesn’t make sense. Whether Trump or Clinton wins Nov. 8, we’ll need Republican control of Congress to provide a check on the president. But if you don’t vote for Trump, some Republicans say, you’re electing Clinton. By the same token, if you don’t vote for Clinton, aren’t you in effect supporting Trump?
Given the history of Washington state as a Democratic stronghold, the arguments are rather moot. Washington’s electoral votes will go to Clinton.
Facebook friends say God works through flawed people and cite examples throughout biblical history. I agree: God is sovereign. He works all things according to his purpose. As such, he can work through either Trump or Clinton.
I’m not trying to divide Republicans or Christians by sharing my opinion. I’m just saying I will vote my conscience, and in this case, when my ballot arrives this week, I’ll probably write in “God.”
The Lord knows this nation will need help, no matter who is elected.
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Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
