More than a dozen former Ronald Reagan staff members have joined dozens of other Republican figures endorsing the Democratic nominee and vice-president, Kamala Harris, saying their support was “less about supporting the Democratic party and more about our resounding support for democracy”.
But this can also convince weak Harris supporters to not vote for her. I’m not convinced this helps more than it hurts.
It is funny to think about people sitting at home being convinced to show up to vote because of a bunch if hasbeen mummies.
I mean endorsements are weird.
Who was sitting at home not voting and saw the Taylor Swift endorsement and thought, yeah, now I’m voting for Harris.
Or who was not voting and saw the Swift endorsement and thought, yeah, I should vote.
But I also don’t see someone leaning voting for Harris, seeing someone else vote for Harris and then decide, no, now I won’t. Someone only swayed by endorsements are probably low information voters. They’re not going to see someone voting for Harris as a negative thing for Harris.
I think you’re underestimating how much some people hate Reagan.
I think you’re overestimating how informed people are.
You’re presupposing that Republicans are more informed than other Harris voters.
If this won’t hurt Harris because people who hate Reagan are too uninformed to care, then it won’t help either because Republicans are going to be equally uninformed. Almost no one will hear about this other than politics nerds who have already made up their minds.
I am not at all presupposing that Republicans are more informed. In fact anyone swayed by endorsements is likely less informed overall.
My focus is on Republicans who can not vote for Trump and are likely to either sit out the vote or suck it up and vote for Trump anyway. Seeing other members of their in group endorse Harris gives these people the justification to also vote for Harris. These endorsements are easily digestible headlines, I’m certain people do see them no matter how removed from politics they are.
Now a potential Harris voter, who doesn’t like Regan, seeing these endorsements and then concluding both parties are the same and not voting for Harris just doesn’t add up. If you don’t like Regan it’s not for some superficial “he’s a Republican” reason. Go watch any Regan speech, ignore the substance, he’s a likable guy. If you don’t like Regan it’s because of policy. If we’re talking policy then endorsements don’t matter at all. Harris has policy X. Republicans endorse Harris. Harris still has policy X. Who gives a shit who endorsed Harris.
Endorsements aren’t for everyone. I think they convince low information voters. I think Republicans endorsing Harris helps.