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Nearly 200 ex-staffers for former President George W. Bush, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), and late Arizona Sen. John McCain have endorsed 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden this week as the final day of the Republican National Convention takes place.
In an open letter signed by 33 former staffers, Romney Alumni for Biden declared, “With over 175,000 Americans dead from COVID-19, tens of millions unemployed, and 80 percent of voters convinced that the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, we desperately need a president that’s laser focused on putting the nation’s needs ahead of his own.”
“That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’re voting for Vice President Biden—a man we once worked to defeat—this November,” the group announced, adding, “What unites us now is a deep conviction that four more years of a Trump presidency will morally bankrupt this country, irreparably damage our democracy, and permanently transform the Republican Party into a toxic personality cult. We can’t sit by and allow
“Spending time with Sen. Romney on the campaign trail, from small town stops to massive rallies, in minivans and mega buses, we saw a thoughtful and compassionate man rooted in humility, service, and devotion to his family and fellow citizens,” the letter concluded. “We know Mitt and Joe share those same essential, presidential traits—traits that make Vice President Biden the clear choice to lead the United States through this perilous, uncertain time.”
43 Alumni for Biden, a group made up of former Bush staffers, has also organized for Biden, writing in a letter, “Joe Biden has proven himself over years of public service. We have seen him respectfully reach across the aisle, consider a different point of view and make a thoughtful decision to benefit the nation.”
On its website, 43 former staffers from Bush’s campaigns and White House are listed as endorsing Biden.
On Thursday, the final day of the Republican convention, over 100 former McCain staffers also signed a letter of endorsement for Biden, which was published on Medium.
“Working for John McCain was an honor, and his example of public service remains a lasting influence on us. His motto, ‘country first,’ and his frequent call on Americans to serve causes greater than our self-interest were not empty slogans like so much of our politics today,” the group declared. “They were the creed by which he lived and he
“We trust that as President, Joe Biden will lead an urgent, comprehensive national effort to contain the COVID pandemic. We trust he will call on Americans to remember our common interests and responsibilities, and not worsen the grievances that have polarized our politics. And we trust that he will defend American interests and values from all enemies, foreign and domestic,” they continued, concluding, “Joe Biden is the right decision for our country in this dangerous moment.”
Over two-dozen former Republicans endorsed Biden on Monday, the first day of the RNC, including former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, while another group endorsed Biden during the Democratic National Convention the week prior.
2016 Republican presidential candidate John Kasich delivered a speech from a crossroads at the DNC, encouraging Americans to vote for Biden.