Thread by @BamaStephen

1. I remember when you angry #Trumpkins stormed into #Republican Party; called #Conservatives “cucks”, “leftists”, “Killary voters”, “libtards”. You idolized #Trump in a cultic way. You fraternized with alt right #racists. You winked at #sexism. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

2. You said #Conservative principles didn’t really matter, though you really couldn’t tell us what #Conservatism means. Of course, your leader didn’t know either; his attempts to articulate it were painful. You mocked our efforts to explain. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

3. #Trump wild swings of rhetoric, positions, moods didn’t bother any of you. Whatever Trump said last was best & most true, no matter the word salad in which it was presented. His blatant self-contradictions were obvious to all but to you. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

4. You fell madly in love with whoever #Trump told you to love; you rabidly attacked anyone perceived to be his “enemy”. It didn’t matter who they were or what they said or if they were right. You just had to “defend the crown” no matter what. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

5. The mistake many staunch longtime principled #Conservatives made was not taking #Trump & his ardent followers seriously soon enough. We couldn’t imagine thinking #Americans — #Republicans, no less — would fall for this con man & his freak show. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

6. We couldn’t imagine that 1st & most fervent group pushing #Trump as #Republican candidate was #Evangelicals who chose illusion of power & access above all other considerations; above many other stellar, strong #Conservative #Christian candidates. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

7. By the time #Conservatives perceived the reality & ferocity of the #Trump movement, it was too late for #GOP. Our arguing & reasoning were in vain. Longtime principled #Conservative heroes were mocked, attacked, insulted, blackballed, discarded. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

8. Formerly trustworthy #Conservative leaning media jumped on #Trump Train, lusting for ratings & access. They conducted virtual “assassinations” on any other #Republican candidate. They covered up Trump’s glaring weaknesses. They coddled him. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

9. Once #Trump won #GOP against a large field of candidates who split up traditional #Conservative vote, he left #Republicans with an ugly option: Trump or wicked #Hillary. No viable #Conservative option emerged. The fix was in. The Donald won. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

10. Many of us who had reluctantly voted #Trump at the last moment held out some crazy hope that he might actually be effective; that he might grow into the job of #POTUS. Of course, that hasn’t always been the case since. Win some, lose some. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

11. But we have learned that whatever #PresidentPickSix does, he’s not really the main problem. Issue is spirit that animates #Trumpism. There is a rage, hate, highly reactive, offended spirit that motivates significant numbers of #Trump followers. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

12. #Trumpism animated #RoyMoore campaign in #Alabama; #CoreyStewart in #Virginia; #PaulNehlen in #Wisconsin; #KelliWard in #Arizona. It’s spreading throughout #Republican Party. Many in #GOP intimidated by #Trump & #Trumpism. Bullying is working. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

13. #Conservatives who refuse join #Cult45 are still being threatened. #GOP leadership now firmly under #Trumpist control. It’s #Trumpublican Party or #PartyOfTrump #POT now. Must march lockstep with #POTUS or be assailed, blackballed, & cursed. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

14. Some formerly #NeverTrump or #Trump skeptical #Conservatives were bullied into flipping. Some afflicted with #StockholmSyndrome ended up loving #BigBrother. Some have tried to artfully thread the needle of being pragmatic but principled. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

15. #Conservatives were told by #Trumpists we weren’t welcomed in our own home anymore. We were told we weren’t needed. So, sickened by unsustainable destructive direction of #GOP, many of us have left. #Independant voter numbers rising quickly. ->

#ConservativeWithoutAParty

16. We could return to #Republican Party if it returned to #Reagan #Lincoln #MartinLutherKing roots with right leaders. Or we could forge a new path apart from #GOP. #Trumpublicans will learn if they need us or not. Tick-Tock. ⏰
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#ConservativeWithoutAParty

P.S. I hope this thread shows I distinguish between #Trump voters in general versus the hardcore cultic idolaters who are sometimes called #Trumpkins #Trumpists #Trumpers. I voted for Trump against #HillaryClinton. I applaud when he does right; call him out when he does wrong.