Conservatives Endorsing Kamala Harris: Crisis or Hyperbole?

High-Profile Defectors: Individual Calculations or Signs of the Times?

Let’s break down the list of defectors. Former Representative Liz Cheney, an emblem of the Republican Party’s hawkish, establishment wing, has never shied away from criticizing Donald Trump and his loyalists. Her endorsement of Harris may reflect her broader concerns about the current trajectory of the GOP, rather than an endorsement of Democratic policies per se. Cheney, along with her father, Former Vice President Dick Cheney, represents a segment of Republicans who see the Trump-era GOP as a betrayal of the party’s foundational principles.

Then there’s Adam Kinzinger, another Trump critic who has found himself increasingly isolated within his party. Kinzinger’s endorsement of Harris is more of a repudiation of Trumpism than a wholehearted embrace of Harris’s policy platform. Stephanie Grisham and Olivia Troye, both former Trump administration officials, have also made their positions clear: their support for Harris appears to be less about policy alignment and more about a vehement rejection of Trump’s brand of conservatism.

Anthony Scaramucci, the short-lived White House communications director, has long been on a public crusade against Trump since his ousting. Similarly, Former Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan and Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales appear to be seeking what they view as a more stable and traditional approach to governance, even if it means crossing party lines.

The Reaganites and the Intellectual Right

Perhaps the most shocking endorsements come from the intellectual right. Seventeen former staff members of President Ronald Reagan, the patron saint of modern conservatism, have openly backed Harris. To add to the shock, conservative columnist George Will, known for his staunch defense of conservative principles, has thrown his hat in Harris’s ring. This is not just a statement; it’s a profound departure from the values these figures have defended for decades. Is this an acknowledgment that today’s GOP has drifted too far from Reagan’s legacy, or is it a strategic maneuver to guide the party back to its roots?

Is This Really a Cause for Concern?

So, is this a sign of a crumbling conservative movement, unable to reconcile its factions, or is it just another round of the partisan hyperbole we’ve seen before? It’s essential to remember the 2016 election when scores of conservatives and Republicans swore they would never back Trump. Many of these same individuals eventually fell in line, either begrudgingly or otherwise, when he became the party’s nominee. Are we witnessing a similar episode now—political posturing driven by distaste for the current Republican frontrunner rather than a genuine ideological shift?

The Paradox of the Endorsements

For the Democratic Party and the Harris campaign, these endorsements offer an opportunity to showcase a broad coalition of support. But it also presents a paradox. The very figures now endorsing Harris have spent their careers fighting the policies she supports. Can this uneasy alliance hold, or will it fracture under the weight of its contradictions? Will the party that has long stood for limited government, free markets, and individual liberties now find itself rallying behind a candidate who represents the antithesis of those values? Or are we seeing a redefining moment in conservative politics where pragmatism trumps principle?

The Strategic Play or Desperate Move?

What’s truly driving this wave of conservative endorsements? Some argue it’s a strategic play to dethrone the populist grip Trump has on the GOP. If these endorsements represent a calculated move to steer the party back to its ideological moorings, then they signal a fight for the GOP’s future. Yet, there’s an undeniable risk. The embrace of Harris could alienate the Republican base, who see these figures as traitors rather than saviors. Is this a desperate attempt by the conservative elite to remain relevant in a party that’s rapidly leaving them behind?

Conservative Identity Crisis?

The surge of support for Harris among these conservative figures underscores a deeper identity crisis within the Republican Party. The GOP is wrestling with its soul, torn between the populist-nationalist wave that has defined the Trump era and the traditional conservatism of the Reagan and Bush years. By endorsing Harris, these prominent Republicans and libertarians are making a stark statement: they reject the direction their party has taken. But can their voices, once influential, sway the minds of rank-and-file conservatives who see the Harris endorsement as a betrayal?

A Redefinition of Conservative Principles?

What we’re witnessing could be more than just political theater. It could mark a redefinition of what it means to be a conservative in modern America. Are Cheney, Kinzinger, Will, and others suggesting that conservatism is less about policy and more about character and governance? Are they signaling that the preservation of democratic norms and the rule of law now supersedes traditional conservative issues like small government and free-market economics? If so, this is a monumental shift, one that could reshape American conservatism for years to come.

Will the Base Follow?

But here’s the million-dollar question: Will the conservative base follow? Will the grassroots—the voters who rallied behind Trump’s America First agenda—heed the call of these high-profile conservatives, or will they double down on their rejection of the establishment? These endorsements might play well among political elites and media pundits, but how do they resonate with everyday Republican voters? Is this merely an echo chamber of discontent among a segment of the party that feels left behind, or is it the beginning of a broader movement?

The Bottom Line: Conservative Concern or Calculated Move?

It’s easy to dismiss these endorsements as nothing more than high-profile protest votes against Trump. However, the breadth of support for Kamala Harris among some of conservatism’s most influential figures cannot be overlooked. Whether this is a genuine shift or simply a political calculation, it raises questions about the state of American conservatism and the GOP’s future.

An Uncertain Future for Conservatism

What happens next? Only time will tell if this coalition of dissenters becomes a lasting force within the political landscape or if, like in 2016, the tides of partisanship pull them back into the fold. Regardless, this development should give both sides of the political spectrum pause. It underscores the growing unease and division within American politics, where allegiances are increasingly fluid, and ideology often takes a back seat to the imperatives of the moment.

In the end, whether these endorsements are a cause for concern or just another round of political theater depends on what one believes conservatism should stand for. Are these endorsements a betrayal, or are they a principled stand against a party that has lost its way? One thing is certain: the 2024 election is shaping up to be not just a battle for the White House, but a battle for the soul of American conservatism.

Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor