List Of Republicans Backing Biden Grows On First Night Of Democratic Convention

TOPLINE

Democrats are expanding their outreach to Republicans disaffected by President Trump ahead of the first night of the Democratic convention, with former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former New York Rep. Susan Molinari and Quibi CEO Meg Whitman joining Ohio Gov. John Kasich for his remarks to the convention.

KEY FACTS

Crucial Quote

Asked at a press conference on Monday about why so many Republicans are slated to speak, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) explained, “There are a bunch of people out there – silent Biden voters, Republican voters who want to vote for Biden – and it’s important that they know they’re not alone.”

Big Number

62%. But the addition of Kasich has drawn criticism from many Democrats, who have pointed to both his pro-life views and the fact that he is slated to speak longer than progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who was given just 60 seconds for a pre-recorded address. A YouGov/CBS News poll found that 62% of Democrats oppose Kasich speaking at the convention, with 44% also saying they oppose former President Bill Clinton’s speech. This comes after hundreds of delegates signed a letter urging Democrats not to let Kasich speak. 

Key Background

Despite winning the Republican nomination in 2016 and seizing dominance over the party during his presidency, Trump’s often divisive rhetoric has spawned a small but persistent faction of “Never-Trump Republicans.” Biden, by contrast, is known for his skill in forging relationships even with lawmakers on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Biden landed in hot water during the Democratic primary for touting his working relationships with segregationist senators and for effusively praising swing-district Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) during his reelection bid in 2018.

Surprising Fact 

Five sitting Republican senators are grappling with the question of whether to vote for Trump, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told the New York Times in June. In the aftermath of an op-ed by Trump’s former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis slamming Trump’s response to George Floyd protests, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she was “struggling” with whether to vote for him. The Times also reported that Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) had already committed to not backing Trump and was considering writing-in his wife like he did in 2016.

What To Watch For

Molinari and Whitman may not be the last former Republican officials to defect to Biden. Former House speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan have so far refused to say whether they will vote for Trump, while former President George W. Bush and his brother Jeb Bush, Trump’s erstwhile GOP primary opponent, both told the Times they would not vote for him. John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff and Homeland Security secretary, praised Mattis’ op-ed in June and said, “I think we need to look harder at who we elect.”