How Harris can win Trump-skeptical Republican voters

With just 11 days left until Election Day, Republican voters wary of another four years of Donald Trump in the White House have a crucial role to play.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign knows these voters could very well be decisive in battleground states that will likely be won on razor-thin margins. In her closing message, Harris not only needs to underscore the dangers of a second Trump term, but also show that conservative, moderate and independent voices belong in her broad coalition.

Creating space for these voters to ditch Trump requires building what is sometimes called a “permission structure” to bring them into the fold. But Harris can’t do this alone. In this final stretch of the campaign, a slew of Republicans, including former members of the Trump administration, are leading by example.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney is among the most vocal of conservative voices asking like-minded voters to place country over party. Cheney not only is telling voters why Trump is a threat to the Constitution; she’s showing them what is needed to preserve American democracy. Leaders like her can move the margins among this crucial bloc of voters.

During a series of town halls with Harris this week, Cheney underlined her Republican background to build the case against Trump. “I know that the most conservative of all conservative principles is being faithful to the Constitution,” Cheney told a crowd of hundreds of voters in suburban Philadelphia. Cheney also made it clear the vice president is the only candidate in the race who would defend that document’s guiding principles.

This election is a binary choice, and Cheney is reminding voters of the dangerous stakes. While she vouches for Harris, she’s providing an off-ramp for Republican voters to reject Trump’s authoritarian vision to reshape the presidency and the country. She’s also warning voters that Trump would undermine America’s standing as the leader of the free world. “He idolizes tyrants,” Cheney added.

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Harris campaigns with Liz Cheney in Pennsylvania October 21, 2024 / 02:26

Don’t just take Cheney’s word for it. Listen to the words of Trump’s longest-serving White House chief of staff, John Kelly. In new interviews with The New York Times, Kelly warned that Trump is “certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators. … So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure.” The Trump campaign pushed back by accusing Kelly of creating a “fabricated” story because he suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Hurling these insults at Kelly is disgraceful. 

It’s important to understand who Kelly is. He’s a retired four-star Marine general who served our nation’s military for more than four decades. He was also by Trump’s side during his time as White House chief of staff from July 2017 until January 2019. Kelly knows firsthand the power of America’s leadership on the world stage. And he knows sacrifice, having lost his Marine son, who died in combat in Afghanistan in 2010. He also knows from firsthand experience that Trump’s true character makes him an unfit commander in chief.

While Kelly isn’t endorsing a candidate for president, his public comments can also nudge Republican and independent voters away from Trump. Kelly is making a difference by simply telling the truth. His words have an effect, and his courage opens the door for other conservatives to voice their concerns.

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Imagine the impact if Republicans such as Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or even former President George W. Bush made more public-facing efforts to denounce the Republican Party’s erosion of conservative values in the name of Trump. Undecided voters are listening, and the time to speak up is coming to an end.

In Michigan on Monday, Cheney predicted millions of Republicans will do the right thing and vote for Harris, even if they keep their support a secret. Cheney gave these voters permission to vote for Harris by saying, “I would just remind people: If you’re at all concerned, you can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody.”

Each time we chip away at Trump’s support among lifelong Republicans, we strengthen the pro-democracy faction within the GOP. In the long term, this movement will be needed to realign the Republican Party with principles and conservative values. However, the mission at hand is more urgent.

Nov. 5 is another time for choosing. With the help of conservative stewards, Harris can win over the support needed to stand up to the MAGA machine. With their votes, these Trump-skeptical Republicans and independents can help close the door on Trumpism once and for all.

For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch “The Weekend” every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC.